How should we take care of our skin during menopause?

Four different topics are important in menopausal skin care: cleansing, moisturizing, anti-aging, and protection.

Estrogens play an important role in hydration, in how much moisture our skin holds. When their levels drop, the skin becomes drier, thinner and more sensitive. They also play an important role in how much collagen we synthesize. Collagen is a key protein in our skin that gives support and firmness. When it decreases, the skin changes… We see it thinner, with more wrinkles and sagging. We know that in the first 5 years after menopause we lose approximately 30% of the collagen in our skin.

So how should we take care of our skin during menopause...

 

1. The cleanser should be gentle. Besides, common alkaline soaps in combination with hot water significantly dry the skin, even at a young age. Therefore, we should use cleansers that are non-drying, without fragrances and agents that may be useful in other decades, such as salicylic acid, lactic acid or fruit acids.
2. Hydration. Its purpose is to improve dryness and repair the skin barrier. Here we use lipids (for example ceramides) and ingredients that retain a lot of water such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin. In menopause we also have a decrease in estrogen and a relative increase in androgens – so some women have a tendency to suddenly develop pimples. It is therefore very important that our moisturizers provide the necessary lipids but are not comedogenic.
3. Apply anti-aging products. What does this mean? Products whose ingredients activate collagen production. These include retinol or other topical retinoids that may be medications, and vitamin C. Another approach is to apply substances or replenishment complexes that mimic estrogen (without being it) because their chemical structures are similar.
4. It is never too late to start applying sunscreen daily – there is a significant margin for prevention in the 10s of 60-70-80. Sunscreens protect us from discoloration, gradual thinning, wrinkles and sagging caused by ultraviolet rays.

 

Finally, skin care also has to do with other issues that are generally related to a good quality of life – well-being. Proper nutrition, enough sleep, no smoking, stress reduction – all are important for the good condition of our skin.