How does menopause change your skin. And, what are some skincare ingredients that help the skin as it changes? Learn more from the article posted on anika skincare and makeup blog page.

Menopause- What is it and what happens to the skin?

March 30, 2021

Menopause- What is it and what happens to the skin?

Menopause is a natural part of aging and it usually begins around the age of 45 and can last up to age 60. Although some women are now starting to experience menopause as early as 33 to 37 years old. During this period of time, your body stops producing as much collagen as it was before, and this leads to many changes in the skin. It is important to identify and understand these changes in order to properly handle menopausal skin. We want you to remember that change is inevitable, and just because your skin is starting to look and feel different, doesn't mean that you can’t find a new routine that combats these changes, and allows you to feel comfortable in your skin again.

Before we talk about helpful skincare ingredients and treatments that help menopausal skin, we must first talk about what happens to the skin during menopause and how you can identify these changes. Some changes can include altering sleep patterns, fluctuating menstrual cycles, mood swings, and estrogen reduction. Women experiencing menopause often notice that the suppleness of their skin starts to disappear. Other common skin problems during menopause include:

Dryness, rough patches, itching, and redness
Rosacea
Adult acne
Wrinkles and fine lines
Reduced skin elasticity and sagging
Bumpy roughness
Hair appearance where no hair was before

As we get older, fatty deposits under the first layers of skin start to disappear, and this process slows the skin’s ability to rebuild elastin and collagen. However, growing old doesn't have to be like this. If you pay attention to the signs and properly treat these concerns with the right products and professional treatments, then you can get right back on track to the healthy, youthful looking skin that every person of old age dreams to have again.

Helpful skincare ingredients

Symptom	Most Effective Ingredient(s)
Barrier function	- Bio-peptides - Hyaluronic acid, but only low to mid-size molecular weight
Wrinkles and sagging skin	- Specific peptides that start collagen and elastin synthesis (the dose in the product and the type of peptides are critical) - Keep skin well hydrated with a combination of glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone
Redness	- Barrier repair lipids, such as ceramides - Anti-inflammatories - arnica and other anti inflammatory herbs
Excess oil and blemishes	- 5 alpha-reductase compounds, not alcohol or toners. Glycolic/salicylic acid.
Dryness	- A combination of glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and dimethicone together
Ultraviolet exposure	- Broad-spectrum sunscreens with a minimum of SPF 35. Physical sunblock ingredients such as non nano zinc oxide.

Anikabeauty offers many good products that are perfect for menopausal skin. The Essential Dermaceuticals calm collection is perfect for skin that becomes sensitive, irritated or has rosacea. This collection includes the Ultra Calming Facial Cleanser, the Ultra Calm Serum, the Ultra Calm Creme, the Ultra Calm Toner, the Age Defying Eye and Lip Peptide Treatment, and the Ultimate Ferulic C & E Serum. The Lactic Acid Nutrient Creme Gentle Exfoliating Cream is under the Visual Changes brand and it is also perfect for menopausal skin. It provides the skin with a beautiful, healthy glow. The Acne Clearing Serum is for dry, sensitive, acne, and rosacea skin types and is good for combating acne while going through menopause.

For help with thin skin sagging you might want to look into trying some products under the Essential Dermaceutical line. The Ultra Firming Neck and Decollete Crème Treshapes and densifies the neck and décolletage, areas prone to visible signs of aging. The Ultimate Ferulic Acid C & E Firming Creme helps to firm the dermal scaffold, stimulate collagen synthesis and boost resilience. The Rejuvenating Fibroblast Growth Factor Crème is a regenerative treatment that offers remediation of trauma and visible signs of aging.

The Suntegrity brand is also excellent for sun protection. It helps protect collagen in the skin and any potential sun damage. If you suffer from discoloration or sun damaged skin, the Mandelic Acid Pads are a great product to try. The Skin Renewal PM Advanced Resurfacing Serum with Retinol, Lactic and Glycolic is a retinol mixture under the Essential Dermaceuticals brand that transforms your skin while you sleep. Retinol encourages cellular turnover and skin renewal, diminishing the appearance of fine fines, wrinkles and brown spots.

Treatments that help menopausal skin

Do you want younger looking skin? Are you searching for a way to look and feel great without having to do medical lasers or injections? Intense LED Phototherapy might be the perfect thing for you. LED Phototherapy is designed to improve your skin’s health from the inside out, targeting problem areas at the cellular level for maximum efficacy. LED Phototherapy utilizes scientifically-proven low-energy LED light to promote skin health through increased circulation, waste elimination, and moisture retention. It can improve cellular turnover and growth, and stimulate collagen and elastin– the building blocks your skin needs to say fresh and healthy.

Microcurrent facials are known to be the most effective, non-surgical way to take years off the face. Microcurrent is a low level of electricity that mirrors the body’s own natural electrical currents. This triggers chemical reactions at a cellular level that work to enhance the production of natural collagen and elastin, provide circulatory benefits, and re-educate the muscles of the face. The result of this facial is immediate firming, smoothing, and rehydration of the skin. It also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Microcurrent lifts, sculpts and tightens while also providing immediate results with no downtime.

Anikabeauty offers both of these treatments as well as more that are proven to help the skin during the aging process. If you’re looking for an effective way to treat menopausal skin or any other aging skin concerns, then book your session today at anikabeauty.com.

Hormones and their effect on the skin

Understanding hormones and their effect on the skin is also a crucial part of helping with the journey through menopause.

Estrogen- is one of the most important hormones for women. Estrogen regulates a women’s reproductive cycle while also having very positive effects on this skin when levels are balanced. It can reduce the size of oil glands inside the pores, help tighten pores, influence how quickly cells divide, create strong collagen and elastin, increase hydration levels in the skin, and slow hair growth. Your skin will start to age quickly without estrogen.

Progesterone- is involved in gestation or maturing of a fetus in the womb. This hormone stimulates a woman’s uterus and prepares the lining for a fertilized ovum. Progesterone also stops ovulation from occurring when pregnant.

Testosterone- Isn’t this a male hormone? Although it is usually thought of as a male hormone, it is also produced in women at a much lower level. It helps with growth, maintenance, and repair of reproductive tissues, bone mass, and human behaviors.

DHEA- is a sterone naturally produced by the body’s adrenal glands. It is responsible for the production of every sex hormone. DHEA levels start to rise when your body goes through puberty, but the levels begin to decrease very quickly as the aging process continues.

Human Growth Hormone- an endocrine hormone similar to estrogen and testosterone. It is produced in the pituitary gland and secreted throughout a person’s lifetime. This hormone rapidly decreases as you age.

During menopause the body’s essential hormones are lacking, sometimes missing altogether. Lack of hormones can lead to hormonally induced skin conditions such as melasma and acne.

That’s why during this stage in life it becomes even more important to take extra care of the skin.

Helpful foods and lifestyle things

Menopause is linked to changes in the metabolism, reduced bone density, and increased risk of heart disease. Eating a whole-food based diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, high-quality protein, and dairy products can help reduce the symptoms that menopause presents. Phytoestrogens and healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids from fish can also help. Another recommended diet change is limiting your intake of added sugars, processed carbs, alcohol, caffeine, and high sodium or spicy foods.