Navigating Menopause: Your Ultimate Skincare Guide

Perimenopause and the menopause bring about hormonal changes that can affect your skin. In this blog we explain what changes may be happening and we share our advice on how to help you navigate them.  

Perimenopause and menopause effects on the skin

• Simply put, the drop in oestrogen levels causes a reduction of collagen and elastin in the skin. These are the essential proteins responsible keeping our skin plump and firm. As our oestrogen levels deplete, our skin becomes thinner and slacker, leading to lines, wrinkles and a loss of firmness. 

• Changes to our levels of progesterone and/ or testosterone can lead to either an over-production of sebum and breakouts, or, conversely, to an increase in skin dryness and dehydration.  

• During perimenopause and the menopause our skin’s natural production of lipids (the layer of fat which reinforces our skin’s barrier) slows down, meaning that our lipid barrier is weaker and less resistant. This can lead to a whole host of issues such as increased skin sensitivity and trans-epidermal water loss. 

• And last but not least, you may also notice more discolouration because the change in hormones makes skin more prone to oxidative damage (ie dark spots, pigmentation, melasma).

SUMMARY

– Reduction in collagen and elastin   – Increase in lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity  – Overproduction of sebum and breakouts/ adult acne  – Increase in dryness and dehydration  – Slow down in production of lipids  – Increase in sensitivity  – Increase in pigmentation

ADVICE for Menopausal Skin

Experiencing changes in your skin can be overwhelming, but little changes to your lifestyle and skincare routine can make a big difference. 

HYDRATION IS KEY: As well as drinking plenty of water, make sure that your skincare contains lots of water-retaining ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin.  
Our recommendation: Rescue Diver hydrating serum 

NOURISH YOUR SKIN: Eat a diet rich in omega fatty acids and use serums which contain nourishing and pampering oils (ie argan, sweet almond and jojoba), to comfort skin.
Our recommendation: Smooth Player line smoothing serum 

USE SUN PROTECTION: UV rays speed up ageing and worsen pigmentation so it’s vitally important to protect your skin by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen (at least SPF 30.) 
Our recommendation: La Roche Posay Anthelios range 

RESURFACE REGULARLY: Regular resurfacing and exfoliation will encourage cellular turnover and renewal. This will improve the look of dull, grey and lackluster skin and will boost your skin’s radiance. 
Our recommendation: Opening Act resurfacing serum. 

INTRODUCE RETINOIDS: If you have not already done so, include a retinol or prescription retinoid into your nighttime routine to stimulate collagen production and reduce the appearance of pores and wrinkles. 
Our recommendation: Verso Night Cream 

USE PRODUCTS RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS: They will help neutralise free radicals (ie UV rays) and reduce inflammation. The use of antioxidants is a proven and effective approach to prevent visible signs of ageing, helping to keep skin healthy and younger looking. 
Our recommendation: Skin Meditation stress neutralising serum 

PRACTICE GUA SHA: it will help firm sagging skin and reduce inflammation and puffiness. 
Our recommendation: Hayo’u Jade gua sha tool 

REDUCE STRESS: Menopause can be a stressful time so it’s important to practice stress-reducing techniques such as deep breathing, yoga or meditation. We all know that stress can worsen skin issues… 
Our recommendation:  Weekly yoga and Ashwagandha supplements 

VISIT YOUR FACIALIST REGULARLY: Treat yourself when you can as it will really benefit your skin and give you an opportunity to be pampered. 
Our recommendation: a Hydrafacial every 4-6 weeks 

HOW ELIXSERI SERUMS CAN HELP YOUR SKIN 

Our serums contain ingredients which support your skin during perimenopause and menopause. Elixseri serums work to maximise skin health and boost skin metabolism so that skin is stronger and more resilient to whatever changes may be happening in your skin.