Skin is an important barrier that protects us from potential harm from our environment. Our skin defends our bodies from anything we encounter like:
The skin is structured into two main layers: the outer epidermis and the inner dermis.
The epidermis is thin and contains melanin, which gives our skin its colour. The dermis is thicker, supporting our blood vessels, nerve endings, and fibres—mainly collagen and elastin. The dermis supports the epidermis and enables our skin to thrive.
Ageing affects all our body cells as our systems slow down, and metabolism declines. Exterior aggressors further affect skin cells, such as the sun, heat, cold, and other environmental factors. How our skin reacts to this combination of factors is entirely individual. We know that hormones carry messages to the brain and influence the nervous and circulatory systems. They also promote healthy cell growth and repair. So, when hormones fluctuate during menopause, those functions can go awry.
Hormone depletion in menopause, particularly oestrogen, has visible physical effects. As our skin contains a high volume of oestrogen receptors, it is common for us to experience skin problems during menopause.
Oestrogen plays a huge role in preserving our skin’s youthful quality. Studies have shown that oestrogen decline is associated with various skin issues, such as:
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Having a healthy, balanced diet with adequate hydration assists cells in their everyday work. This is especially important when hormone levels fall during menopause. Avoid eating foods and drinks that will rob the body of vital nutrients or that make it work too hard to process.
Moisturise and Protect the Skin
While we can’t avoid menopause, we can minimise its effects on our skin’s appearance. Good skin moisturisers and rich emollient creams can protect our skin from moisture loss. Harsh cleansers, soaps, scrubbing, and scalding baths will strip the skin of its natural oily barrier, making it more vulnerable to moisture loss. Look for products that match the pH of the skin to retain moisture balance. Don’t forget to use sunscreens as it is vital to protect the skin from UV damage, burning, and dryness.
Minimise Redness with Skin Treatments
Treatments such as laser therapy and dermabrasion could improve the quality of damaged skin. Blue light therapy can work as an anti-microbial treatment and tackle oiliness. It is best to consult your GP or skin specialist for specific advice about your own skin.
HRT
HRT replaces the hormones the body loses in menopause to slow down its effects on the skin cells. The right formulation and dosing can help maintain collagen production, keeping the skin elastic and cells firm. Helping the skin do its normal job makes it possible to retain its moisturising and protective functions. It may look a little healthier, too! But HRT isn’t everyone’s choice, and some women are unable to use it. Please discuss HRT with a doctor to see if it would work for you.
Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is beneficial not just for menopausal women but for everyone as well. We can all learn from this and adopt a healthy lifestyle to delay the signs of ageing. Simply maintain a good diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking.
Most of our ageing process indeed happens in our 50s as we go through menopause. Hormonal changes during the menopause transition can cause skin issues, from increased wrinkles to itching and acne. However, don’t be discouraged. You can help yourself by adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle and improving your skincare routine. A good diet and a healthy lifestyle can slow down the ageing process considerably. The right products will also alleviate many skin conditions and work for your skin type.
If you have the right motivation, there is always a way! I cover skincare during menopause in my PRIME course as well as HRT and how to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The next course starts 1st November and you can book your place now on the TY Fitness website.
Back to blog ›