Let's talk about Menopause and your skin - ORESTA clean beauty simplified

Let's talk about Menopause and your skin

October 18th is World Menopause Day so let’s talk about Menopause.

Menopause officially begins one year after your last period. With the change in hormone levels you’ll start to notice changes in your body. Some of these changes include night sweats, hot flashes, brain fog, weight gain, vaginal dryness, change in sex drive, loss of skin firmness, thinning of hair and pesky chin hairs.

While this may sound discouraging, many women also find this to be an empowering time in their life. They don't need to worry about periods or PMS, they experience greater confidence and self-assurance, they stop caring what others think, enjoy strong bonds with other women and have the time to focus on caring for themselves.

So what happens to the skin in menopause?

1. Age Spots

Some women will experience more pigmentation, called melasma, on their cheeks, upper lip, forehead. They may also appear on their chest, hands and arms. This pigmentation is caused by a combination of hormonal changes and sun exposure.

Solution:

  • Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen every day before going outdoors, even in the fall months. Reapply every 2 hours.
  • Examine your skin daily. If you develop new spots or growths, book a skin cancer screening. Your risk of getting skin cancer increases with age.  The earlier you find skin cancer and pre-cancerous growths, the more treatable they are.
  • Lighten skin pigmentation with products containing natural hydroquinone alternative, Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Read our BLOG on how to lighten pigmentation naturally.

2. Loss Of Moisture 

Skin loses its ability to retain moisture resulting in dry, dull skin. Cooler temperatures and indoor heating further remove moisture in the air which exacerbates the moisture loss. 

Solution:

  • Avoid soap and foaming cleansers
  • Hydrate the skin! In addition to consuming water, incorporate the application of a toner/elixir to the skin. Be generous! Read our BLOG on how to choose the right toner for your skin.
  • Apply products with hyaluronic acid to maintain moisture in the skin. 
  • Exfoliate weekly with a gentle exfoliator. Exfoliators come in a variety of textures and applications. Read our BLOG to learn how to choose the right exfoliator for your skin.

3. Loss Of Skin Tone

Women lose approximately 30% of collagen in their skin during the first five years of menopause and then approximately 2% every year for the next 20 years.

As we lose collagen, skin loses it firmness and begins to sag. This can result in jowls and pronounced Marionette lines (run from the tip of the nose to the corners of the mouth). Wrinkles and pores become more visible. Skin becomes more delicate and sensitive and as cell regeneration slows, wounds and blemishes take longer to heal.

Solution:

  • Protect your skin from the sun to reduce visible wrinkles and prevent new wrinkles.
  • Incorporate skin care product that contains retinol or peptides to increase collagen in your skin as well as products
     to strengthen and support skin and reduce inflammation in the skin.


4. Eyes 

Fluctuating hormone levels can affect both your eyesight and the appearance of your eyes. The skin around the eyes is the most delicate. As we age, the skin thins, we lose volume around the eyes and can develop dark circles, fine lines and puffiness.

Solution:

  • cleanse the eye area nightly
  • nourish and hydrate the eye area with soothing eye products
  • massage the eye area to stimulate circulation

Learn more about how to care for the skin around the eyes in our BLOG

5. Hormonal Acne

As female hormone levels drop, some women develop hormonal acne (often along the jawline)

Solution:

  • Avoid drying acne products. Incorporate products containing salicylic acid and phytoestrogens to heal skin, clear pore-clogging debris and balance hormonal breakouts.

Beyond skin care, navigating perimenopause and menopause can be challenging and confusing. Women are often left feeling overwhelmed, lost, uninformed and dismissed. Advocate for your health. Learn about hormone health and how to navigate it with comfort, confidence and ease.

In spite of all the changes, don't forget to stop to marvel in all that your body has given you. All of your beautiful lines, lumps, bumps and scars tell your life story. Lay to rest parts of you that served you well in the past and invite exciting new ways to explore and enjoy life.

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