How to care for your skin at menopause

Between hot flashes, weight gain and mood swings, menopause wreaks havoc in our bodies. It also alters the structure of our skin. 

What’s the cause? The drop in certain hormones like oestrogen and progesterone, which are closely tied to the production of collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin.

What’s the result? Skin that is poorly hydrated, thinner and dryer, leading to looser skin and more visible wrinkles.

What’s the solution? Adopt a targeted skin care routine, beginning with choosing an appropriate wrinkle cream to naturally and effectively fight the process of menopause and its effects on the skin.

What effects does menopause have on the skin?

During perimenopause, women’s bodies endure great upheaval. And their skin and hair are no exceptions to these changes.

What causes these alterations? What are the symptoms? How can these effects be reduced?
Let’s review.

When hormones take their leave, the skin becomes glum

Menopause signals the complete shutdown of the production of the female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone. This phenomenon affects the skin in several ways. Without oestrogen or progesterone, the cells of the dermis and epidermis are no longer stimulated.

This is the case in particular of fibroblasts, which are involved in the production of three key elements of beautiful skin:

⦁ hyaluronic acid, which retains water in the skin
⦁ collagen, which gives the skin its tone
⦁ elastin, which makes the skin supple.

This hormonal deficit associated with menopause contributes to skin ageing as a result of dryness. The skin’s texture and sometimes even its colour may change. It becomes thinner and more wrinkled, sometimes accompanied by paleness or skin spots.

In the epidermis, there occurs:

⦁ a reduction in the number of cell layers
⦁ a slowing of the cell cycle.

In the dermis, you will find:

⦁ a clear decline in hyaluronic acid levels
⦁ increasingly scarce collagen fibres
⦁ a decrease in elastin.

Consequences of menopause on the skin

Different symptoms are indicative of the effects of menopause on the skin. Below is a non-exhaustive list of those symptoms:

⦁ dry skin due to a drop in the production of sebum (the skin’s barrier no longer maintains the skin’s hydration)
⦁ thinning of the epidermis due to dry skin and a reduction in fibroblasts
⦁ deeper wrinkles (nasolabial folds, bitterness folds, forehead furrows, etc.) and new wrinkles caused by fissures in the water-deficient epidermis
⦁ skin laxity and loss of suppleness and firmness, engendered by the decline in collagen (the skin on the face is stretched thin)
⦁ sagging of the oval shape of the face due to the loss of water and fat in the deep layer of the skin
⦁ dark spots on the face and body (more common in light skin).

To save your skin at menopause, it needs hydration

You cannot stop menopause, but you can slow its effects on the skin by taking action on one crucial aspect: hydration.

As you can see, the thinning of the epidermis, deepening of wrinkles, skin laxity and the loss of volume in the face can be largely explained by a shortage of water in the dermis and epidermis.

Are you wondering how to hydrate your skin when you reach menopause ? Between day and night creams, oils, masks, serums, and other anti-ageing and wrinkle treatments, which products should you use?

Find out how to care for your skin at menopause so you can beautifully handle the signs of the passage of time.

How to care for your skin during perimenopause and menopause?

Hydration is the key to perfectly healthy mature skin. Here are our tips for gracefully dealing with this crucial step in your life as a woman and keeping your skin beautiful after menopause.

Boosting and maintaining your water levels, eating a balanced diet and engaging in physical activity: these are the golden rules for your new menopausal beauty and skin care ritual.

Skin hydration after menopause

To keep your skin beautiful once you hit menopause, you will need to ensure that it is well-hydrated. Begin in the morning with a gentle cleanser that preserves your skin’s barrier, the last defence against dryness.

Next, apply a facial treatment and a body cream, specially formulated for mature or menopausal skin (products containing hyaluronic acid, carotenoids, vitamins and/or trace elements).

Remember to exfoliate occasionally. After eliminating the dead cells clogging the outer layer of the epidermis, your skin will be ready to absorb the treatments you provide.

Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and opt for high SPF sun protection to avoid further dryness in your skin.

Caring for your skin at menopause: A balanced diet and physical activity

Over and above creams and serums, caring for your menopausal skin also requires a balanced diet and physical activity.

⦁ Drink plenty of water and enjoy food rich in water like fruit and vegetables.
⦁ Stock up on vitamins, antioxidants, omega-3s and carotene.
⦁ Play a sport to oxygenate and tone your skin. In addition, by walking, jogging or swimming, you can relieve stress, which is responsible for many wrinkles, and make sure you get a good night’s sleep, which is vital to your skin’s regeneration.

What treatment should you choose when you reach menopause?

To handle your dry skin, loosening of the oval shape of your face and deeper wrinkles, how do you choose a treatment or cream once you hit menopause ?

To care for your skin the way it deserves, use a natural treatment enriched with powerful active ingredients like hyaluronic acid, essential fatty acids, peptides, vitamin A and/or trace elements.

Whether you opt for a day and/or night treatment, your anti-ageing product, specially formulated for menopausal skin, should ensure:

⦁ optimal hydration
⦁ improved skin elasticity and tone
⦁ reinforced skin defences
⦁ a smoothing effect
⦁ wrinkle reduction
⦁ an evened complexion thanks to improved microcirculation and the elimination of toxins.

To reinforce the effects of your anti-ageing cream, don’t hesitate to include complementary treatments in your special menopausal beauty ritual, like masks, oils, serums and scrubs, whose synergies will contribute to your skin’s regeneration and radiance.

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