Menopause and Skin

Menopause and Skin

Yes, you can look amazing!

 

As Catherine Deneauve famously said, “at a certain age you have to choose between your fanny or your face”.  I’m all into choosing the face (and having a fuller rear end is now very fashionable, so we can all have both 🤓).  Of course aging is a fact of life but understanding the process can help with some strategies to keep us looking as youthful as possible (and I've saved my best tip for last).

 

The loss of estrogen plays a crucial role to the ageing process because it’s central to collagen production. Collagen keeps skin thick and gives it elasticity. As we lose estrogen, we also lose the ability to produce collagen.

 

Here's what you can do to boost collagen production.

 

  • Through diet you can create the best conditions for collagen production: Vitamin C and protein rich foods provide amino acids and other phyto-nutrients are required for collagen production. Soy and tofu can mimic estrogen and this can help boost collagen in a marginal way. 

 

  • Through skincare: A few things are key here: hydration, moisture and products with antioxidants. All of these will keep your skin as healthy as possible for optimum collagen production (our Duo ticks all of these boxes with hyaluronic acid and prickly pear seed oil which has lots of antioxidants).

 

Besides the loss of estrogen and collagen, some people find they are struggling with menopausal acne. This often happens during peri-menopause or the beginning of menopause.  

 

  • For menopausal acne seeing a dermatologist and a short course of antibiotics can help.
  • Focussing on a skincare routine that is involves gentle cleansing and a moisturiser that is non-comedogenic (prickly pear seed oil is a good one as it won’t clog pores).
  • Keeping skin hydrated: don’t confuse breakouts with oily skin and stop moisturising and hydrating. These two steps are key for keeping acne at bay.

 

Rosacea and developing ‘sensitive skin’ issues. Some people develop a redness or blotchy skin and also find they are now quite sensitive to products they previously tolerated.

 

  • For rosacea sufferers avoid hot showers and baths.
  • Avoid products with many kinds of ingredients or ones with perfume or fragrance.
  • Give your skin a break from its usual routine. At Desavery we developed PURE which is an anti-inflammatory formula. It’s unscented and made from the most gentle and nourishing plant oils.

 

As mentioned, I’m saving the best for last.

  • Learning to accept yourself, be happy with where you are in your life and appreciate how you got here, grateful for the face in the mirror and eat a healthy diet with lots of exercise plus wear a sunblock whenever you go out in the sunshine…that and a smile will keep you looking as beautiful as you have ever looked!