The skin changes during menopause are a complex and multifactorial process that is directly related to the hormonal changes that occur during this time. During menopause, estrogen levels, a hormone important for skin health, decrease.
Today here at Natur-ela, discover how menopause affects the skin, from the hormonal changes that occur to the best treatments to keep the skin of your face and body nourished and healthy. Find out what causes these changes and discover practical strategies to adapt your skincare routine.
Understanding Skin Changes During Menopause
Before we talk about skin care during menopause, it’s important to understand what happens to the body during this time. Perimenopause, which can begin years before menopause, is characterized by a gradual reduction in estrogen production. This hormone is important for several bodily functions, including skin health.
As menopause begins, estrogen levels continue to decline, triggering significant changes. The skin, which relies on estrogen to maintain its elasticity, moisture, and ability to heal itself, begins to show clear signs of this hormonal decline.
Effects on the skin during menopause
Dryness: Reduced sebum production by the sebaceous glands makes the skin drier and rougher. This is particularly noticeable in areas such as the face, neck and hands.
Loss of elasticity: The loss of collagen, a protein that gives the skin its firmness, causes the skin to become thinner, which promotes the formation of wrinkles and sagging.
Dryness: Reduced sebum production by the sebaceous glands makes the skin drier and rougher. This is particularly noticeable in areas such as the face, neck and hands.
Loss of elasticity: The loss of collagen, a protein that gives the skin its firmness, causes the skin to become thinner, which promotes the formation of wrinkles and sagging.
Increased sensitivity: The skin can become more reactive, causing more frequent irritation and itching, even with products that were previously well tolerated.
Changes in pigmentation: Hormonal changes can also trigger the formation of dark spots, called melasma, especially in areas exposed to the sun.
Reduced healing ability: The cell renewal process slows down, making the skin more vulnerable to damage and taking longer to recover.
Understanding these effects is the first step to adjusting your skincare routine and effectively protecting your skin during menopause.
Basic Skin Care During Menopause
Gentle and proper cleaning
Cleansing is the foundation of any skin care routine, but during menopause it must be done gently. Using aggressive products can worsen dryness and irritate the skin, making it more sensitive.
Practical advice
Choose cleansing soaps with a balanced pH, preferably enriched with moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, aloe vera or gentle plant oils.
Avoid products that contain sulfates or strong fragrances, as these can cause allergic reactions or worsen the feeling of dryness. Always look for natural products with essential and plant oils.
Intensive hydration
Adequate hydration is important to compensate for the loss of water and natural lipids that occurs during menopause. It not only softens the skin, but also strengthens the skin’s protective barrier, preventing feelings of tightness and irritation.
Face: Preferably use creams and serums with active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid (attracts water and stores it in the skin), ceramides (rebuilds the skin barrier) and niacinamide (softens and soothes).
Body: Invest in body lotions high in urea, shea butter or natural oils like coconut or almond oil, which provide deep, long-lasting hydration.
Top tip: Apply moisturizers immediately after bathing, when pores are open and skin is slightly damp, to maximize absorption.
Double sun protection
Hormonal changes make the skin more susceptible to blemishes and collagen loss due to UV rays. Sun protection is essential to prevent premature skin aging and maintain an even skin tone.
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Loss of collagen is one of the main factors for sagging skin and wrinkles during menopause. Fortunately, there are ways to stimulate production and restore skin tone.
Professional treatments: Techniques such as microneedling, mesotherapy, aromatherapy massages and radiofrequency effectively stimulate collagen production and produce visible results within a few months.
Foods rich in antioxidants: Red fruits, oranges, spinach and walnuts are excellent allies against free radicals and prevent premature aging.
Omega-3: Found in fish such as salmon, chia and flax seeds, they strengthen the skin barrier and promote its elasticity.
Hydrolyzed collagen: This can be a useful supplement and help replace some of the lost collagen, but it should be taken under medical supervision.
Additional tip: Stay hydrated by drinking at least two liters of water a day. This is important for your overall health and the appearance of your skin.
Get free advice from us if you are going through menopause and need a skin analysis. At Natur-ela we have developed a complete cosmetic line for your daily skin care especially for this delicate phase.
