Menopause and skin care

A hormonal decline during menopause is the cause of many symptoms affecting several areas of the body, including the skin.

 

The effects of aging and menopause on the skin

As women age, it is normal for their skin to undergo certain changes. Skin aging is a completely normal process in humans. For women in particular, menopause can accelerate this process, which manifests itself by visible signs on the skin.

The effects of aging skin related to menopause often result in skin that appears fragile and dry. Its texture may change; for example, it may become thinner or rougher. It may also show sagging, loss of elasticity and radiance. Additional wrinkles may appear, as well as brown spots. Skin dryness and sensitivity are more prevalent during this process, and can cause signs and symptoms such as redness or itching.

It is primarily the decrease in estrogen (one of the female hormones) during menopause that contributes to changes in the appearance of the skin, because it affects its hyaluronic content (a natural moisturizer that has the ability to draw in and retain water), lipids or fatty acids (which give the skin its elasticity), and collagen (an essential protein for moisturizing and maintaining the skin's texture).

 

Other causes of skin aging

Decreased hormonal levels are obviously not the only reason for the changes that can occur. In fact, other factors influence skin aging such as heredity, lifestyle, diet, and pollution.

Among the factors that contribute most to premature skin aging is smoking. The effects of tobacco on the skin are mainly due to the harmful substances it contains: nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar, etc. These substances limit the blood supply, and therefore oxygen, to the skin, causing its dehydration and the degradation of its support structures among other things. Dull, dry, rough skin, grey complexion, sagging skin, spots and wrinkles (especially around the mouth), are signs that are more common in menopausal women who smoke.  

Prolonged exposure to the sun is another determining factor. The effects of this can be seen by comparing a part of the body that has been exposed to a lot of sunlight with another that has not been exposed at all or very little. Sun exposure contributes to the appearance of wrinkles. And when combined with the hormonal changes of menopause, it contributes to the appearance of brown spots that some women see appearing on their skin.

 

A healthy lifestyle for skin

Adopting a healthy lifestyle during menopause can help women maintain their level of health and well-being. Some of these habits can also help keep their skin healthy and beautiful. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

  • Quit smoking.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Eat healthy.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Sleep well (and on your back).
  • Avoid the sun and tanning beds.
  • If you must go out in the sun, apply sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30, ideally with a broad-spectrum filter that protects against UVA and UVB rays.

 

Proper skin care

Providing adequate daily skin care is important at any age, but post-menopausal women should pay even closer attention. Your cosmetician can help you make the right choices and find the right products, so don't hesitate to ask. That said, here are a few tips that are well worth considering.

  • Clean your skin morning and night with a mild, pH-balanced product. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel.
  • Moisturize your skin, as it probably needs it. You can use a rehydrating serum to give your skin an extra moisture boost. Hyaluronic acid-based products are good for this purpose. Menopausal skin also needs to be nourished with products that are high in fatty acids to keep it supple and plump.
  • Use a product designed to focus on certain signs of aging according to your needs: wrinkles, sagging or lack of elasticity, radiance, spots, etc. Your choice of products should take into account your skin type: sensitive or allergic, dry, normal, combination or oily. There is a wide range of different products, and it can be difficult to find your way around, which is why it is important to ask for advice. Find out if the product you choose is suitable for daytime, nighttime or both.
  • You may need to layer several products, such as a lotion (or essence), serum and cream, to meet your skin's specific needs. If this is the case, ask about the suggested order of application.
  • Use a good quality, moisture-preserving sunscreen daily. Some are especially good for more mature or sensitive skin.

Don’t hesitate to speak to your pharmacist or cosmetician for additional information on how to care for your skin. Your skin will thank you!

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Menopause and skin care

A hormonal drop during menopause causes a number of symptoms that affect various areas of the body, including the skin.
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