After years of periods, pregnancies and childbirth, the joys of being a female finish with one last big and beautiful hormonal bang.
This bang, otherwise known as menopause, can come in the form of hot flushes, weight gain, mood swings, vaginal sensitivity, and in a side effect we thought we kissed goodbye to in our adolescence, problematic skin.
RELATED: How to choose the best moisturiser for dry skin
RELATED: Why hyaluronic acid is an anti-ageing star
Complexion issues such as skin thinning, dryness, dullness, exacerbated UV sensitivity and even acne, tend to arise at the average age menopause commences (FYI it’s 51) or even earlier.
Speaking to Well and Good, dermatologist Howard Murad, founder of the trusted skin care brand Murad reveals “as women lose estrogen, their collagen production also decreases.” And as collagen is one of the major contributing factors to skin plumpness, it’s for this reason the skin may start to thin out and sag at a slightly faster rate.
And while unfortunately we can’t stop the natural ageing process and press pause on our 20s and 30s, we can keep the impacts on our skin manageable and under control.
1. Avoid harsh sun exposure
As we get older, pre-existing damage to our skin can easily worsen. For example, dark spots get darker, the sun breaks down already depleting collagen stores and after years of exposure, pre-cancerous growths start to appear far more frequently. According to Dr Murad, we should be using a minimum of SPF 30 and ensuring we reapply every two hours.
Bh recommends: Nature’s Way Beauty Collagen Mature Skin, Murad Anti-Aging Acne Moisturiser SPF 30
2. Be mindful of hormone-triggered breakouts
Just when you thought you were done with your teenage skin woes, as long as your hormones are fluctuating, you are susceptible to acne.
Try incorporating beauty products that are non-comedogenic into your routine to limit the potential for clogged pores and ensure you are thoroughly washing your face daily. It’s also a good idea to avoid any acne-triggering foods such as dairy and sugar.
bh recommends: La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Ultra-Light Fluid SPF 50+ Facial Sunscreen, Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Serum, BIODERMA Sensibio H2O
3. Stay hydrated
When it comes to keeping menopausal skin hydrated, you’ve got a few big factors working against you. Depleting collagen is resulting in thinner skin, and the abundant supply of estrogen, which was once responsible for maintaining our skin barrier and preventing water loss, is now reducing.
Yes, drinking water is going to help, but Dr Murad is encouraging us to take it one step further and tp start eating our water too, “when you consume water-rich fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers and watermelons, the water is gradually released into your body as you digest to keep you hydrated for longer,” he explained.
To get the most out of our skin care, start to consider moisturisers that will seal in moisture, soften skin and attract water. These qualities are found in occlusives, emollients and humectants.
bh recommends: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Filler [HA] Revolumising Serum, Aveeno Dermexa Daily Emollient Body Wash Colloidal Oat + Ceramides,
As if a dry face wasn’t enough, another common side effect of menopause can be a dry, sensitive and irritated vaginal area. Keeping your water intake up will help here too, but if you’re looking for topical relief, try Sebamed pH 6.8 Feminine Intimate Wash.
4. A holistic approach
When it comes to treating different menopause concerns, it’s important not to get too focused on just one side effect. To ensure you are providing your body with the proper vitamins and support it needs, taking a supplement can be an easy method of balancing your hormones and nourishing your body to relieve uncomfortable symptoms.
bh recommends: Harmony Menopause, Nu Skin Estera Phase II, Swisse Ultiboost Menopause Balance
Main image credit: Getty
Have you gone through menopause? Do you have any tips to deal with the impacts on your skin?
Not there yet. That is going to be an exciting experience…hope it will be a smooth sail.
Thank You BH for some great advice regarding hormonal changes due to menopause so many changes, women go through and the hot flushes can be unbearable at times and yes I have noticed changes in my skin, so many age spots and I stay out of the Sun as much as possible.
Trying to even out my skin tone and at least fade the age spots so they don’t look as bad. Feeling that much more confident about being Me grey silver hair and all.
Not quite there yet, just dealing with the changes as they come.
Still in the peri-menopausr stage. Oh joy! Not! Pretty terrible, got all the symptoms. I have wrinkles on the top of my cheeks when I smile. Hang in there. Great products listed.
I’ve been freakishly sensitive to the heat since childhood, so I expected to have hot flushes with a vengeance. I can’t believe how lucky I’ve been – no hot flushes, no night sweats or mood swings, no weight gain. My only symptoms have been no premenstrual migraine, period cramps or mood swings every single month. I’m LOVING menopause!
I read a tip about drinking sage tea (cooled) to help with hot flushes, but I never got a chance to see if it works.
I’m 52. Due to ‘female issues’ my body decided to go into menopause at age 24. I eventually needed to have a full hysterectomy, and I’ve been having oestrogen replacement ever since. Thankfully I’ve never had any skin issues, but I have always looked after it.
I’ve still got a long time to go!
These are great advice
Although I am suffering from a range of menopausal symptoms, skin issues thankfully are not one of them.
Not there yet but getting close.. Hoping I won’t have any issues.
I think avoiding excess sun and staying well hydrated make sense for everyone no matter what age you are.
My Doc kept testing me for signs of menopause but the answer was always ‘not yet’ ….my body even held on when I had a hysterectomy as they left me with an ovary. Im guessing that I have now gone through menopause but if I have then I didnt notice so no big deal for me.
I started menopause 20 years ago when I was 46 and just sailed through it, and I don’t remember any changes to my skin. These days I’m very conscious of previous sun damage and have regular checkups with my dermatologist.
I think we should all the practising the above regardless of age.
I didn’t notice any skin changes but definitely got the hot flushes, in fact I think it has changed my heat tolerance in general as I always feel too hot nowadays.
I don’t think menopause has affected my skin too much, but then again I’m looking after it more these days so that helps.
Good idea!
I don’t know if I’m through it or finished it! Thank goodness my skin doesn’t seem any different but I do look after it a lot.
I’m 57 and I noticed a difference in my skin in my early fifties. Longstanding health issues became worse in my fifties, so it is possible that menopause exacerbated things. Having said that, many people say that I look younger than my age. A family member older than me has always had oily skin, but she still looks quite youthful for her age – so for all of the younger women moaning about their oily skin, it might be a blessing when they’re older.
Rosacea reared again for me – not impressed but the usual (chemical) treatment from the doctor worked again for me
Interesting… Great tips for when it comes…
I didn’t really notice any difference in my skin.
Hormonal breakouts on my chin are driving me to despair
I had a few pimples and hot flushes but once through I am enjoying this new stage of life.
I am not close to it.But good to know.
Good to know , I’m not looking forward to it , but it will happen one day…..
It’s good advice to follow anyway aside from menopause
Menopause causes me to break out in giant blind pimples around my hairline and jaw. Not fun at all!
I’ve been pretty lucky – weight gain has been problematic, and my skin is dryer, but otherwise it’s been pretty easy on me. So far.
I’m nearly there so appreciate this information
I think I’m going through it now but it’s hard to tell for sure (for me anyway) , not a lot of drastic changes in my appearance so far.
interesting read, not looking forward to it
Not there yet.
Going through this process now – hot flushes drive me nuts and generally feel hotter than before – i have a tonne of face and general beauty products to keep skin up together- not looking forward to getting old
My name is Jason, I base in Pacifica California in USA …My life has been complicated for the past 6 years of a Broken marriage, my wife left me all because i was sick . I felt like my life was about to end i almost committed suicide, i was emotionally down for a very long time. Thanks to a spell caster called ( DR Marabul), which i met online as I was browsing through the internet,I came across alot of testimonies about this particular spell caster. Some people testified that he brought their Ex lover back, some testified that he restores a broken marriage,cure cancer,and other sickness and so many other testified that he can cast a spell to stop divorce and so on. i also come across one particular testimony,it was about a woman called Hannah and Susan, she testified about how he brought back her Ex lover in less than 2 days, and at the end of her testimony she dropped ( DR Marabul) E-mail address. After reading all these,I decided to give it a try. I contacted him VIA Email and explained my problem to him. In just 48hours, my wife came back to me. We solved our differences, and we are even happier than before ( DR Marabul), is really a gifted man and i will not stop publishing him because he is a wonderful man… If you have any problem and you are looking for a real and genuine spell caster to solve all your problems for you. Try him anytime, he might be the answer to your problems. Here is his Email
marabulspellcaster@gmail.com or whatsapp +2207835430