How to Treat Your Skin in Menopause

Hormonal changes affect our skin. It is blatantly apparent when we are teenagers. But menopause is no picnic either. It can bring about increased dryness, sensitivity, and, in some cases, even acne. Give your skin some comfort and tackle the changes head-on with some simple tips and tricks.

Menopause and the skin changes

Menopause officially starts a year after your last period. Oestrogen and progesterone levels drop. Menopause affects us in a myriad of ways, and it also has a significant impact on the skin.

• One of the oestrogen functions is to help the skin retain moisture. Because the oestrogen levels drop, the skin tends to get drier.

• Likewise, the skin loses its elasticity and firmness as skin loses collagen and fine lines and wrinkles can become permanent.

• One of the many things oestrogen affects is the storage of fat under the skin. As the levels deplete, plumpness is visibly reduced.

• The pH of the skin changes and skin tends to get more sensitive and reactive.

• Because of the drop in hormone levels, the skin also gets thinner and takes longer to heal.

• Some women can develop acne, even though they never suffered with them before.

• If you have any sun damage chances are it will appear and get more prominent now. It is also advisable to check all moles and have regular skin cancer screenings with a dermatologist.

• Last, but definitely not least – facial hair. It typically appears along the jaw line, chin, and on the upper lip.

How to treat your skin during the menopause

Sunscreen

If you are diligent about sunscreen, please feel free to ignore this. But if you are not, for the love of everything holy, start applying sunscreen on a daily basis! We know that sun exposure and UV damage are the main culprits behind the signs of aging.

Hydrate

Look for products that contain humectants. If in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a product that includes Hyaluronic acid and Glycerine. Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water and will keep your skin plump and well hydrated. Glycerine might not be as popular as Hyaluronic acid, but it is one ingredient that hydrates, soothes and can be found in just about anything.

Another important part of your routine is your daily cleanser. We bang about this constantly, but it is important your cleanser does not disturb the pH balance of your skin. Look for oils, creams, and balms that won’t strip your skin and leave it tight and uncomfortable. The pH should be between 4.5 and 5.5.

Try Ishtar's Multi-Ceramide Concentrate.

Multi-Ceramide Concentrate combines skin-identical lipids and sterols. It helps protect the skin, repair the moisture barrier, smooth mimic wrinkles, and improves the structure of collagen and elastin.

Exfoliate

Skin sheds daily. With age, that process slows down and often it results in dull, lacklustre skin. Regular chemical exfoliation jump starts the process. That said; please do keep in mind that skin is also thinner. Don’t go slap happy with acids to avoid overexfoliation or irritating your skin further.

Try Ishtar's Ultralase Cleanse

Ultralase Cleanse combines 6% Mandelic acid and 6% Gluconic acid and has a pH of 3.5. It gently exfoliates, refines skin texture, helps ease congestion, and reduce breakouts. Over time, it helps fade discolourations.

Treat

To treat your skin look for products that contain retinol and vitamin C. Retinol needs no introduction, it should be a part of your regular routine. It is truly a wonder ingredient that boosts collagen production, targets fine lines and wrinkles, and helps fade hyperpigmentation. Likewise, vitamin C has many fantastic benefits for the skin. It improves collagen production, evens out skin tone, helps fade sun damage, and protects the skin against free radicals.

Try Ishtar's Retinol serums and Perfect and Glow Vitamin C serum.

2.5% Bioactive Retinol serum and Retin-3CEboth use Rovisome technology to encapsulate retinol in a biocompatible natural membrane. The molecule retains its potency and reaches deeper layers of the skin for improved results. Both of our serums have a super hydrating base.

Perfect & Glow Vitamin C serum uses a stable form of vitamin C. It is combined with lactobionic acid, Peptide P1 (a non-acidic alternative to skin resurfacing) and Japanese ceder bud extract. It is oil-free and sinks instantly into the skin with no residue.

Soothe

If your skin is extremely sensitive or you have compromised your skin barrier, try Ishtar's c60 Booster Serum. A complex of ectoin and the super antioxidant c60 fullerene sooth and support stressed skin.

If you are going through menopause, what is the biggest difference it has made to your skin? How has your skincare routine changed?