We Spoke To A Doctor To Get The Lowdown On The Best Skin Care Routine During (And After) Menopause

No matter whether you’re pro aging gracefully or are partial to a bit of Botox, either way the dreaded M-word is going to get you. Yep, menopause. Now dealing with the heightened hormones is one thing. But add in the changes in your skin and it’s a whole other board game. Because who has time to totally change their skin care routine?

Well, we’ve spoken to the experts and unfortunately you’re going to have to pencil in a date with your skin and a mirror. Because it’s time to get reacquainted with yourself in the hopes of figuring out what your menopause skin care routine looks like.

But don’t fear, you’re not alone in this search for answers. Because we’ve interviewed menopause skin care expert from women’s online health platform Moshy, Dr Niyati Sharma, to get some skin-loving clarity on the situation.

What happens to your skin when you go through menopause?

As women, it feels like our bodies constantly go through huge hormonal overhauls, from puberty to pregnancy and of course, menopause.

Dr Sharma gave us some actual insights into what happens to your skin as you age, and go through menopause. And while the advice is generalised, most women experience a major decrease in moisture retention. But why can’t we seem to hold on to our hydrated happy skin like we once used to? Well because those huge hormonal shifts we told you about? Yeah, they’re responsible for your lack of estrogen. As it turns out, estrogen is linked to collagen and water-retention levels. Yep, the moisture-retaining hormone is responsible for a lot more than we thought.

Mature Skin Care Must-Haves

First off, Dr Sharma wants you to take a minute to recognise that while your skin might be changing, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. The next step? Addressing your skin-issues. For most menopausal women, dryness and sensitivity are going to be the major factors to address. And while we’re all fans of the ‘chuck everything but the kitchen sink’ at it approach, Dr Sharma warns of the impacts. In fact, she suggests that while your adolescent skin may have been able to tolerate the ‘revolving door of products’ approach, mature skin requires a gentler, more nuanced routine.

Now, this new approach is going to be a juggling act. Because no matter if you have sensitive skin or not, you’re going to want to stick clear of harsh routines, opting instead for hydrating products and focusing your efforts on not drying your skin out further. Dr Sharma suggests starting by cleansing less. Yes, we know, we’re all about cleansing. But if your skin is irritated, choosing the right cleanser, cutting back and aiming for a gentler approach will aim to keep the discomfort at bay.

Okay, so for actual products that will help to address your menopausal skin care issues, Dr Sharma suggests stripping back your routine, opting for a nourishing gentle cleanser (for when you use makeup). We suggest finding your holy grail of fragrance-free, sensitive skin-friendly moisturisers (bh suggests: E45 Face Moisturiser $12.99 at Chemist Warehouse). And if you know your skin can handle it (and you’ve spoken to your GP), adding in a prescription-based retinoid will help to deal with a myriad of skin concerns.

Menopausal Skin Need-To-Knows

The most crucial takeaway that Dr Sharma wanted to stress was the importance of sunscreen. We all know (now) how important it is to wear sunscreen, protective clothing (along with your hat and sunnies) and keep out of peak sun-exposure times. But Dr Sharma notes that even if you think the damage has been done from your youth, it’s never too late to keep it from spilling over and causing something more serious. So, be sure to find yourself a hydrating sunscreen option to wear in excess, year round.

Another clinically-proven point she spoke on was the ability to eat skin-water-boosting foods, with flaxseeds being one of the omega3 enriched options she put emphasis on, while of course, avoiding excessive processed sugars.

Dr Sharma also thankfully lent her expertise to addressing the raw topic of redness and sensitive skin in menopausal women. Now again, if you’re struggling with these issues, it’s best to book in to chat to your doctor. However, Dr Sharma suggested that her theory on the sensitivity comes from microbiome-disrupting skin barrier-based changes. And whether it’s through UV damage that projects as sensitised skin, or a genetic tendency that’s activated later in life, you can’t always pick its exact origins, however the fickle beast that is menopause tends to rear its head in unforgiving ways.

Skin Care Products To Avoid During Menopause

Now, this is going to sound like a total juxtaposition to what we’ve just said. But if you’ve not figured out your sensitivity levels, it’s best to avoid vitamin A, along with brightening vitamin C and acids such as AHAs. Yep, it’s a decent list. But paring back your routine and ensuring you’re not adding to your skin’s dehydration or busting your own barrier is key.

Menopausal Makeup Tips

So, you’ve realised you’ve now got dry skin. But don’t fear, it’s not a skin care nightmare. It’s not even a makeup-wearing deal breaker! So if the powder-based makeup that might’ve been fantastic when you were young and acne-prone is now settling into your dry skin in unforgiving ways, opt for more dry skin-friendly picks that will naturally add an extra hit of hydration to your skin.

L’Oréal Paris True Match Foundation ($33.99 at Priceline) is a fantastic hydrating liquid foundation. Opting for cream blushes, bronzers and highlighters can equally add that much-needed moisture back to your skin.

So there are our expert-lead tips to helping address your menopausal skin care needs. Fingers crossed they’re able to help keep the discomfort at bay.

Main Image Credit: Getty

Do you have any menopausal skin care tips?