Is your skin reacting to menopause?
The onset of menopause does a number on your hormones, your emotions, mood, hair, and all the places. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to age gracefully without all the chaos within our bodies? Nice thought…very lovely. Even with that, have you ever considered the impact of hormonal changes on your skin?
If not, let’s take a look. I’ll explain some things and give you recommendations for easing into and out of menopause without having to deal with skin issues.
First, let’s define the stages of menopause and what happens during each one. Please note that these are the stages, but they are different for everyone. There are many reasons women experience menopause in their 30s, while some women experience no symptoms at all. Consulting a physician is the best way to determine where you are.
- Pre-menopause – monthly cycle is still going strong, and no symptoms are associated with hormonal changes other than PMS. You and life are hormonally beautiful for the most part.
- Peri-menopause (40s) – monthly cycle may get a little sketchy, noticeable mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, frequent urination, and almost complete misery has ensued.
- Menopause (50s) – most notable change is 12 consecutive months with no menstrual cycle. Depression, bone loss, brain fog, thinning hair, and more hot flashes occurring.
- Post-menopause (50+) – noticeable vaginal dryness and discomfort, depression, thinning hair.
As for your skin, think of it as a beautiful birthday cake — there are stars, bubbles, and there’s gold shimmer holding it together. As menopause kicks in, the foundation holds strong – the part we see, feel, cleanse, and moisturize daily (we couldn’t live without it). But the stars, bubbles, and gold shimmer start to weaken. No, I’m not crazy, think of stars, bubbles, and gold shimmer as the ceramides, water, and fatty acids – all the wonderful glue that holds our skin together and keeps us looking so youthful. Here’s what happens to all that wholesome goodness as we enter peri-menopause:
- less estrogen, less elasticity (more wrinkles because fewer bubbles mean less plump)
- estrogen regulates pigment (age spots magically appear from wonky hormones)
- weakened moisture barrier (more dryness where the stars are on the cake)
Get where I’m going?
There’s a solution regardless of the stage you’re in.
1) Pre-menopausal young ladies: Take care of your skin while you’re young to prevent damage and worse-than-necessary skin issues later. Use sunscreen every day.
2) Peri-menopausal friends: Use products rich in sealers, moisturizers, hydrators, and antioxidants like avocado oil, mango butter, cocoa butter, and shea butter. To help lock in the ceramides, water, and fatty acids you have AND add some. The key is consistency.
3) The most important thing for every woman is to create a routine for her skin, diet, and mental health.
- Cleanse with an emollient cleanser containing vitamin B3, glycerin, aloe vera, or hyaluronic acid for deep hydration.
- Exfoliate with a sugar/salt scrub to remove dead cells and promote skin cell regeneration once a week.
- Serum/oil is used to penetrate deeply for long-lasting moisture and add moisture lost to less estrogen.
- Cream/lotion to seal it all in and prevent the water and oil loss that is making you soooo dry.
- Eat as healthy as your purse will allow. The foods we eat help our skin from the inside while our products help from the outside. I admit, I opted for meal plans once my household got REALLY busy. I use Fresh Meal Plan…give it a try if you’d rather have someone else put your meals together and your purse agrees. Like, it’s literally heat and eat fresh food. Plus they love sustainability like I do!
- If medications are not your thing, try acupuncture for hot flashes. Although it is not a permanent fix, an acupuncture session or two can temporarily tame the intensity. It also allows you to just be while finding relief—something all women need from time to time.
Overall, the goal here is for you to understand you are not alone during the season of menopause and there are ways to go through gracefully and care for your largest organ all at the same time. Let’s keep the conversation going!
Article Written by: Kim Cross | Kim is the owner and Happy Skin Formulator at Zhi Bath & Body, a natural skincare shop based in Charlotte, NC. She has been in the beauty industry for the last 30 years as a stylist and skincare formulator. Having dealt with severe psoriasis for over 20 years, she knows the hardship of finding products that are gentle, good for the skin, and smell amazing. 16 years of research and formulating has resulted in a goat milk skincare and soy candle line that is simply amazing. Helping you love you…naturally.
