October is World Menopause Month. A time to educate and break down the many myths and misconceptions surrounding menopause.
Historically, menopause has been surrounded with silence and stigma. To this day, menopause is considered a much dreaded time in a woman's life. We associate it with hot flashes, memory loss, mood swings, sleep issues, vaginal dryness, hormonal breakouts, hair loss on the head yet whiskers on the chin, weight gain, change in sex drive and loss of firmness in the skin. Every woman's journey is unique.
Menopause is a natural biological process in which the ovaries begin to slow down the production of reproductive hormones. During perimenopause, the ovaries' production of estrogen and progesterone decline, leading to irregular periods. This can result in longer or shorter cycles as well as missed or irregular periods. 45 is the average age of perimenopause – much younger than we may think. During this transitional phase is when menopausal symptoms typically start to show up.
Menopause is when you haven't had a period for 12 consecutive months. The average age of menopause in Canada is 51.
It's important to recognize that menopause affects not only the reproductive cycle, it also affects mental and emotional health. Hormone fluctuations can contribute to mood swings, increased anxiety, and even depression.
Hormonal changes in perimenopause and menopause also significantly impact your skin. During perimenopause, hormonal fluctuations may cause breakouts and increased dryness in the skin. Collagen and elastin are responsible for skin's elasticity and firmness. As estrogen levels decrease, so does collagen and elastin, which are responsible for skin's elasticity and firmness. This results in thinning of the skin, a decrease in skin's natural oil production, increased dryness, increased sensitivity and the development of fine lines and wrinkles.
While these skin changes can be challenging, there are strategies and skin care products that can help nourish the skin and mitigate these effects during this transition.
Hormonal Breakouts
You're not going to address breakouts the exact same way you would have as a teenager. Avoid any drying acne products and focus on anti-inflammatory ingredients, as well as ingredients that contain phyto-estrogens.
Eminence Eight Greens Moisturizer; contains plant estrogens that firm + address hormonal breakouts.
Eminence Eight Greens Phyto Masque: contains plant estrogens that firm + address hormonal breakouts.
Eminence Eight Greens Youth Serum: contains plant estrogens that firm + address hormonal breakouts.
Dryness
As oil production naturally decreases, so does the skin's ability to retain hydration. You will need to incorporate products to BOTH replenish oil and address hydration loss. Think of an oil cleanser, serum and hydrating toner. Seek out products with hyaluronic acid or its natural counterparts, such as Indian Senna seed and marshmallow root to help increase skin's hydration levels.
Josh Rosebrook Vital Balm: a moisturizer balm that promotes cellular hydration
Laurel Hydration Compound: a potent serum supplement for dry, dehydrated skin
Kahina Oil Cleanser: oil facial cleanser that replenishes oil and soothes the skin
Laurel California Rose Hydrosol: a toner that soothes, hydrates, plumps and firms the skin.
Lilfox Cupu Cool Hyaluronic Treatment Balm: a hyaluronic acid and peptide plumping and smoothing overnight mask
YES Vaginal Moisturizer: an organic moisturizer to help relieve vaginal dryness by providing long-lasting rehydration to relieve itchiness, irritation, sensitivity, and burning.
Loss Of Firmness
Collagen production starts to rapidly decreases with menopause. This will appear as loss of volume and tone in the skin. Peptides and Vitamin C are two of the best actives to introduce into your routine to help stimulate collagen production, as well as protect collagen in the skin.
LILFOX Marshmallow Poof: a 15% peptide facial moisturizer that fills and firms and smoothes the skin.
LILFOX Haute C Bright Serum: a Vitamin C serum to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation + boost collagen production for a bright, even skin tone.
Laurel Night Balm: a hydrating and repairing night balm that strengthens, firms, brighten and evens skin tone.
Eminence Marine Flower Peptide Night Cream: a night moisturizer that hydrates, stimulates collagen production, replenishes and repairs the skin.
Eminence Marine Flower Peptide Eye Cream: a peptide eye cream to hydrate, smooth and depuff the delicate skin of the eye area.
Increased Sensitivity
As oil production and hydration decreases, the skin's barrier, which needs oil and water, can become compromised. A compromised barrier increases sensitivity and makes skin more reactive. Rosacea can also worsen or appear around menopause. Focus on anti-inflammatory and healing ingredients to calm and restore skin.
Laurel Essential Lipids: a gentle oil cleanser to heal and repair for reactive compromised skin
Laurel Hydrating Elixir II: a facial toner that hydrates and calms the skin, reduces redness and strengthens the skin barrier.
Laurel Unburden Serum: an oil facial serum that supports skin to calm, soothe, and strengthen sensitive, reactive skin.
LILFOX Succulent Pudding: an ultra rich treatment cream that soothes and offers hydrating relief to dry, sensitive skin.
Today and every day, let's create open conversations, support one another and seek guidance in debunking the myths around menopause. Menopause is a natural phase in life with many up sides: goodbye PMS and periods. By better understanding menopause, we will feel more empowered to navigate it with confidence.