At this time of year, many women experience a change in their skin. The weather can make your skin feel dry and itchy and the biting wind can also make it feel red and sensitive. But we want to focus on menopausal skincare also at this time of year.
But when you’re going through the menopause, there are other factors that come into play other than just the weather!
Hot flushes, aches and pains, dry skin and a generally low mood are all a result of fluctuating hormones which are indicative of the menopause. Falling oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels all play a part in reducing collagen production.
Collagen is important for skin health and in the first 5 years of the menopause, it is reported that women lose up to 30% of their collagen and around 2% every year thereafter. Loss of collagen production shows up as lines, wrinkles, dry and sensitive skin. Sometimes, menopausal acne or breakouts can occur.
The main rules regarding menopausal skincare are:
Cleansing
Thorough cleansing of the skin is paramount, whatever age you are, but with menopausal skin, it’s imperative to nourish the skin too. It’s best to use a cleanser that moisturises as well as cleanses – one that helps to restore the skins depleted barrier whilst cleansing and removing impurities.
Hydration
Keeping your skin hydrated is fundamental to a clear and healthy complexion. Serums, such as Dermalogica’s Smart Response Serum can help to hydrate, brighten and firm the skin. Obviously, drinking water will benefit enormously too!
Soothe
There are many products on the market that will help calm and cool sensitive skin. Serums that will give your skin a glow, that are light in texture and contain hydration properties.
Repair as part of menopausal skincare:
Retinoids
Retinoids are a form of Vitamin A which, once it gets into your skin, interacts with enzymes and binds to different types of DNA. This In turn helps to repair skin by stimulating collagen production. It’s safe and as long as the product you choose doesn’t dry your skin out, it’s OK to use in the long term.
Peptides
Peptides are short strands of amino acids – fragments of protein that are the building blocks of the skin. Peptides stimulate collagen production and boost skin’s elasticity. Loss of elasticity shows up as lines and wrinkles on the face. They pull the skin down, which makes it look saggy with a loss of contour to the face. Peptides help to reduce this ‘drag’ by boosting elasticity.
Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens can help as they mimic the effects of oestrogen. They can help to replenish lost elasticity.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a clear, gooey substance, naturally produced in the body. The largest amounts of it are found in your skin, eyes and connective tissue. Its main function is to retain water to keep your tissues well lubricated and moist. As we age, our skin loses hydration, and hyaluronic acid serums help by absorbing and retaining water. This helps to keep the skin more ‘plumped up’ and elastic, as we get older.
Dermalogica have a range of products called Age Smart, to help with ladies suffering skin changes during the menopause. They combine botanicals with biotechnology to produce highly potent products that contain the peptides and acids needed to help your skin combat the signs of ageing.
Some of my favourite products in menopausal skincare are:
Calm Water Gel – to soothe dry and itchy skin
Smart Response Serum – to rehydrate and help to reduce lines and wrinkles
Intensive moisture cleanser – to thoroughly cleanse and nourish the skin
Retinol Clearing Oil – to help with breakouts and stimulate collagen production
If you’re going through the menopause and seeing changes in your skin, you may want to see a therapist, who will be able to tailor make a range of products to specifically address the issues you have. Visit my website www.therapybysambaggott.co.uk – beauty therapy in and around Gloucester or give us a call on 01452 539 751 for more information.