- Physical changes during Perimenopause
- How does perimenopause affect the skin?
- Does Menopause require a specific skincare routine?
- Step-by-Step Skincare Routine for Menopause
- Cleansing.
- Moisturizer
- How to get rid of Acne and Pimples?
- Exfoliation
- Hydration and care also for the skin of the body
- Sun protection should be part of the daily routine
- Conclusion
Women are born with a limited number of eggs which, when not fertilized, are eliminated naturally during menstruation. It is when this “stock” runs out that menopause, a physiological event that marks the last menstruation of a woman’s life, occurs.
But menopause doesn’t happen overnight, on the contrary: the last menstruation is just one of the stages of the climacteric, a period of hormonal changes. The climacteric is the transition phase between the reproductive/fertile and non-reproductive periods. At the same time, menopause occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, the climacteric period can begin up to seven years earlier. ‘’Perimenopausal/premenopausal’’ is the term we can use for a more focused understanding. Let’s start the discussion for the whole thing for skincare routine during menopause
Physical changes during Perimenopause
During this period, female hormones in women’s bodies will fluctuate erratically, while male hormone levels are relatively stable. Such opposing changes will cause many body functional systems to fall into chaos. Therefore, just like adolescence, “premenopausal” Women will experience multiple physical and psychological changes, such as menstrual cycle disorders, general hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disorders, etc. These changes may become more and more obvious with age, and it is not until a woman has not had a menstrual cycle for 12 consecutive months that she is classified as officially entering menopause.
How does perimenopause affect the skin?
In general, hormones are said to be “signaling molecules” that provide our body with signals that indicate psychological or behavioral changes. Estrogens are a particular type of hormone, associated with women and linked to various functions such as protein synthesis or maintaining the body’s water levels.
In addition, estrogens are responsible for one of the most important proteins: collagen, which plays a crucial role in the firmness and resistance of the skin. They are also essential for the production of mucopolysaccharides in the skin, long chains of sugar molecules that retain water and maintain hydration levels. Unfortunately, with menopause, estrogen levels decrease markedly, which leads to various negative effects on the skin:
In early, middle, and late menopause, the skin may undergo the following changes due to the influence of hormonal levels:
– Become more sensitive, and may have allergic reactions to substances in the environment or ingredients in skin care products that were not available before;
– Easier loss of skin moisture, becoming dry
– the appearance of wrinkles and sagging
– outbreak of acne
– appearance of redness and rosacea
– pigmentation, especially around the mouth and neck
– easy bruising
Definitely! The skin needs more care. During and after menopause, it is necessary to focus on nourishing, hydrating, combating sagging and wrinkles, as well as evening out skin tone and treating blemishes.
The choice of treatments during the menopausal period focuses on the following problems: wrinkles, sagging, puffiness, muscle ptosis, discoloration (either associated with pigmentation in the form of brown spots or associated with blood vessels), rashes, or dryness. We must understand that a woman must prepare for this condition in advance. The sooner she starts doing this, the better. How we bring our skin to the menopausal state will determine how a woman will look during this period.
Cleansing.
Start with cleansing, It is best to cleanse the skin with a hydrating facial cleanser or shower oil. Soaps can be too dry. Instead, invest in a product that can provide the moisture your skin needs. Also, do not use aggressive cleansing products for skin imperfections. Because, unlike puberty, the skin now needs a focus to retain its moisture despite cleansing.
Moisturizer
Products with hyaluronic acid are known to help with dryness, roughness, and wrinkles. The hyaluronic acid ingredient is often found in serums and moisturizing creams. Invest in these and incorporate them into your skincare routine during menopause.
specialists recommend moisturizing care with ceramides for body care after bathing or showering since ceramide increases the skin’s ability to retain water.
How to get rid of Acne and Pimples?
Acne in adolescence is an easy thing to deal with, but by the age of 40, it becomes more difficult to control acne. Many people know that skin care products with antibacterial effects must be used to deal with acne. Adolescent boys and girls may have no scruples in pursuing acne products that advertise scientific ingredients and have strong effects. However, for sensitive skin in the early stages of menopause, powerful artificial Antibacterial agents can easily cause over-irritation and are often counterproductive.
Niacinamide belongs to the group of B vitamins and is also known as vitamin B3. This active ingredient supports the hydrolipidic balance of the skin, has a calming effect on the skin, and reduces the signs of wrinkles. In addition, niacinamide can regulate the activity of the sebaceous glands, counteracting shine and stimulating the production of skin lipids. These lipids, called ceramides, constitute part of the skin’s protective barrier and, similar to a sort of mortar, make it impervious to water loss and external agents.
Vitamin C not only contributes to our physical well-being but also gives a radiant glow to our skin. This vitamin acts as a powerful antioxidant, counteracting cellular damage caused by free radicals. At the same time, it stimulates cell renewal and collagen production, making it a valid ally in skin care during menopause.
Exfoliation
Incorporate gentle exfoliation methods into your skincare routine. It can be in the form of a cleanser or serum. This removes dead skin cells and cleans pores. An exfoliation also stimulates blood circulation in the face and thus promotes cell regeneration. Use abrasive material that allows or suits more to the specific skin type. Physical and chemical exfoliation, both are can be used. Physical exfoliation can be done more than chemical exfoliation but care should be taken for dry and sensitive skin. AHA, BHA, and PHA can be a good choice for chemical exfoliation once a week.
Hydration and care also for the skin of the body
The skin of the body, especially during menopause, should not be forgotten: dryness and laxity not only affect the face, therefore all areas must be kept nourished, especially the most delicate ones such as the neck and hands. Using scrubs and moisturizing cream becomes more crucial than ever at this stage to keep the skin soft and toned as much as possible.
Adding natural oils and butter such as shea butter is an excellent way to make the products even richer and more nourishing, ideal for keeping the skin softer, more elastic, and more velvety. Finally, taking care of yourself will make you feel even more beautiful in your body and skin, ready to welcome any changes.
Invest in a good sunscreen now! No matter how old we are, sun protection should always be a priority when it comes to skincare during menopause. But as skin becomes more prone to developing age spots and discoloration, especially after menopause, sun protection becomes even more important.
Hormonal changes can affect the increase in the production of melanin (skin pigment) – pigment spots appear. Their appearance is mainly caused by UV rays, so sunscreen is one of the main helpers in the fight against age-related changes. It is very important to use it constantly, and not just on sunny days.
Because once these spots are there, they are more difficult to correct. Therefore, prevention is the best way. Look for a sunscreen with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection and a sun protection factor of at least 30, preferably 50.Take a closer look at sunscreens based on zinc oxide; they are more suitable for sensitive skin. In addition to protection, you can choose a non-aggressive lightening agent, for example, azelaic acid. It affects melanin production and evens out skin color.
Conclusion
Many women are little or unaware of the skin changes in menopause. A routine that adapts to the new needs of the skin is important to maintain the natural luminosity and radiance of the complexion. Nourishing, hydrating, and revitalizing ingredients help the skin maintain its beauty during and after menopause and allow you to feel comfortable in your skin. For this, and other topics relating to menopause, it is also important to remember that your pharmacy and your trusted doctor are fundamental and reliable Conversational partners for providing individual and holistic advice on the topic of menopause at any time.
