Caring for your skin during Menopause

As women enter menopause, estrogen levels fall, leading to loss of collagen and elasticity, dehydration, sagging and dullness and hot flashes. This natural part of aging can manifest in age spots and sagging skin; however, we’re sharing lifestyle changes and products that can help alleviate the signs and symptoms that come with during and after menopause or perimenopause.

We spoke to Dr. Jennifer Trent about how each stage of menopause impacts the skin and the best skincare products for managing symptoms.

What Are The Three Stages Of Menopause?

PERIMENOPAUSE - This transition period occurs in the 40s as estrogen and progesterone fluctuate. The signs and symptoms of menopause may begin now, including hot flashes.

MENOPAUSE - It usually begins in the early 50s. Menstruation ceases, eggs are no longer released, and estrogen and progesterone levels drop. Hot flashes are at their worst during this period.

POSTMENOPAUSE - During this time, the transition is complete. Estrogen levels stabilize, and hot flashes usually resolve.

How Does Skin Change During Menopause?

The changes that occur during the stages of menopause are the direct results of a decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels and pre-programmed loss of collagen and elastin. Here are some common skin changes during menopause:

Easy bruising
Dry skin
Skin sensitivity and rashes
Increase in facial hair
Loss of hair on the scalp
Wrinkles and sagging skin
Acne
Slow wound healing

Dermatologist Tips On How To Care For Menopausal Skin

Cleanse - Skin is dry and sensitive, so gentle products are essential for daily cleansing.
Load up on Antioxidants - Powerful antioxidants, like Vitamin C, protect collagen and elastin from degradation by the sun's harmful UV rays. It is also essential for the production of new collagen
Exfoliate - Exfoliation will remove dull, dry skin to keep the skin radiant and glowing. It also unclogs pores to treat and prevent acne.
Moisturize - With skin being dry during menopause, a good thick moisturizer is a must. Selecting a non-comedogenic moisturizer that will not promote acne is also essential.
Stay on top of sun protection - Aging skin is more prone to dark spots so sun protection is essential. Mineral SPF will protect the skin against UV radiation from the sun that prematurely breaks down collagen and elastin to produce wrinkles and sagging skin. It also protects against the development of skin cancers, many of which are deadly.

How To Treat Your Skin Changes?

Morning Routine

1 CLEANSE with Tolerance Extremely Gentle Cleanser

2 TREAT with RetrinAL Advanced Correcting Serum

3 MOISTURIZE with RetrinAL CERAMIDE Lipid-Replenishing Balm

4 PROTECT with Solaire UV Mineral Multi-Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+

Evening Routine

1 CLEANSE with Tolerance Extremely Gentle Cleanser

2 EXFOLIATE with Gentle Exfoliating Gel

3 TREAT with RetrinAL 0.1 Intensive Cream and RetrinAL EYES

Other Lifestyle Changes To Make

Maintain a healthy weight - Because of the fluctuations in hormones during menopause, many women suffer from weight gain. Some studies have shown that weight loss can improve hot flashes and keep them under control.

Exercise regularly - Exercise can help prevent weight gain during menopause. It can also lower the risk of heart disease, improve sleep patterns and prevent depression.

Keep cool - A rise in body temperature can trigger hot flashes, so keep the ambient temperature in the room low, wear fewer layers of clothing, use fans and drink cool liquids to get fast relief.

Avoid hot flash triggers - Smoking and alcohol can trigger hot flashes. They also cause premature loss of collagen and elastin that hastens the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin.