The menopause is a challenging time for women and many are crying out for more information on how to deal with the vast array of symptoms that start to creep in as early as 41 years of age. The menopause is a life stage that has long been swept under the carpet, but it has a huge physchological and physical impact. Indeed, 50 per cent of women polled they experience a loss of confidence at some stage during the menopause.
Feelings of self-doubt and low self-esteem are common with some women saying that feel like they’ve ‘let themselves go during and after the menopause’. Looking and feeling the best you can is important for your sense of self. While getting used to the opportunities of this life stage, you just need a little extra help. When you reach the menopause you have to look and listen to what your skin’s telling you because there are changes and with a few careful purchases you can level up your skin care routine.
Adapting to our skin’s needs and changes during this this time can be difficult and nurture skincare also spoke to 900 women and found:
- 52% noticed a loss of elasticity in their skin during and after the menopause
- 47% of women noticed more lines and wrinkles on their face during and after the menopause
- 78% of women have changed their skincare regime since experiencing symptoms of the menopause
- 81% use more anti-ageing products compared to before the menopause
- 58% of women feel the pressure to look more youthful in today’s society
- How can we adapt to our skin’s changing needs?
Dr Sarah Brewer GP, and author says: “When we reach the menopause collagen levels can fall by as much as 30 per cent causing several visible changes. Namely a loss of elasticity, thinner skin and a loss of moisture leading to increased dryness. Plant isoflavones also stimulate oestrogen receptors in the skin to improve hydration so skin looks more plump and youthful. Isoflavones, such as soy bean extract are especially beneficial when taken as a supplement and applied to the skin in anti-ageing creams.”
Incorporating a regime of several products to satisfy the different needs of your skin throughout the menopause and post really can do wonders. It’s also important to look at your skincare routine a little more closely at this time of one’s life and try and break any bad skincare habits such as not cleansing, neglecting your hands and the skin around your eyes and dishing any dirty make-up brushes lurking around.
3 ways your skin is affected by the menopause
- Skin loses elasticity so no longer springs back and wrinkles appear.
- Skin becomes thinner so we may lack that youthful plump appearance.
- Skin becomes more susceptible to water loss making it drier.
From your mid-30s, collagen levels begin to decrease at a rate of 1.5% a year. Collagen accounts for 75% of the skin’s composition so it is important to feed back what time takes away. Before buying skin care products check whether they contain natural plant oestrogens, which mimic the properties of oestrogen in order to help the skin to produce more collagen and combat the effects of the menopause.
Solution for loss of elasticity
Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Elasticity Night Effective overnight anti-ageing cream for mature skin. Plumps deep wrinkles, improves elasticity and at £22.10 won’t break the bank.
Replenish day cream SPF15 & replenish night cream – These best-selling, rich creams contain phytoestrogens, ceramides and vitamins to help boost collagen production and elastin within the skin. Together they help to smooth and resurface the skin. Day cream £15.99, night cream £15.99 each 50ml jars
Solution for thinner skin
Replenish day-night skin nutrition supplement – These unique supplements contain phytoestrogens to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by boosting skin’s density. Also with hyaluronic acid helps to help restore that youthful, plump complexion and accelerate the formation of new skin cells so that dead surface cells can be replaced with a brighter complexion. £14.95 one month’s supply.
Protecting older skin from the sun
Heliocare 360 produce a fantastic line of products that offer high-level broad spectrum protection against UVA, UVB, visibile light and infrared-A. This range caters to all skin types and tones and could be a great addition to your skin care toolkit.
Solution to water loss
Vichy Neovadiol Meno 5 Serum for Menopausal Skin 30ml is an excellent toning serum developed specifically for ageing skin. Targeting the five visible signs of menopause: increased dryness, dullness, uneven skin tone, irregular texture and loss of elasticity, the serum seeks to balance the complexion and enhance vitality.
Replenish collagen boosting serum – This silky serum works under your moisturiser both day and night to intensively hydrate. With Ronacare to help prevent the degradation of hyaluronic acid in the skin, needed for moisture retention plus Matrixyl to stimulate collagen production and repair. £15.99 50g tube.
For information and tips about coping with the symptoms of menopause visit our Women’s Health channel.
* Suvey of 1000 women aged 41 to 55 interviewed.
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