Menopause Skin Changes

We have previously shared articles about menopause and the effects that it has on your skin, but given that I am in the thick of peri menopause and all of the glorious symptoms, I though it might be time for another menopause skin article, because boy, does it knock you around!!!

If the feelings of emotional turmoil, anxiety, extreme sleeplessness and just feeling an overwhelming sense of ‘yuck’ are not enough, peri menopause has also affected my physical appearance. Thinning hair, weight gain (especially around the middle) and skin that constantly looks dull, uneven and saggy. Yay. What a treat. I feel as though I have aged 10 years in the space of a year, and gone are the days when I could just cleanse and moisturise. Because now, even more than ever, my skin requires very specialist care and attention. Even missing one day of serums makes a difference at the moment and I wake up to tired, lacklustre skin.

So why is it that these years can be particularly harrowing for women? And why is it that the decrease in female hormones can have such a monumental effect on our skin?

 

Let’s talk about estrogen

Estrogen is a hormone that is responsible for the production and development of the female reproductive system and sex characteristics. It’s also an essential component of how your skin functions and its overall health. It improves skin elasticity, hydration and thickness. Once skin becomes estrogen deficient, it undergoes histological changes responsible for decreases in collagen production, among others, that are associated with the rapid (and usually unwanted) aging skin symptoms.

During peri-menopause and after menopause, skin loses estrogen and estrogen receptors on skin cells such as fibroblasts. Estrogen binds those receptors and is responsible for plumping the skin, stimulating the development of glycosaminoglycans. These improve hydration, and also stimulate new collagen and elastin. The loss of that interaction leads to the clinical signs of dryness and wrinkling.

So what can be done about Menopause skin changes?

It might all seem like doom and gloom, but with careful skin care considerations and making some good health choices, we achieve healthier skin. Some people opt for hormone replacement therapy. I tried HRT, but after months of persevering, it didn’t agree with me at all, so I had to take a different approach, and decided to have a complete health overhaul.

Firstly, internal health is paramount, and there are certain foods that boost the levels of what little estrogen we have left. These foods are called phytoestrogens, also known as dietary estrogen, and are naturally occurring plant compounds that may act in a way similar to that of estrogen produced by the human body. Phytoestrogens have a similar chemical structure to that of estrogen and may mimic its hormonal actions. Phytoestrogens attach to estrogen receptors in your cells, potentially affecting the function of estrogen throughout your body. Here is a list of phytoestrogen foods:

• Flax seeds
• Soy beans
• Dried fruits like dates, prunes and apricots
• Berries
• Garlic
• Wheat bran
• Tofu
• Broccoli, brussel sprouts and cauliflower

Supplements during Menopause

Adding certain supplements into your diet is also a good idea. Collagen supplements are widely popular right now, and I cannot say enough good things about the following ones, for not only the physical changes, but for how they make me feel emotionally. I feel more stable in my moods, less tired and less brain fog:

• Osmosis Elevate supports collagen and elastin to promote a bright, healthy complexion. It enhances fat burning for a youthful energy and metabolism and helps improve overall health and immunity while restoring mental clarity, mood, and libido.
• Kissed Earth Brilliance. This is designed to boost the collagen in your body. Assist in the strengthening of bones, improving joint & gut health, as well as defending against the visible signs of ageing. This collagen supplement has the highest grade hydrolysed collagen available in the world, which makes Brilliance 99.9% bioavailable and provides collagen Types I & III.
• Kissed Earth Brain Elixir. This is the one that I can definitely notice if I haven’t taken it. It makes me feel sharper and more alert. Perfect when dealing with peri-menopause, this supplement creates a calm and clear frame of mind to help boost your mood and focus during the day. Using a unique blend of nootropic herbs and medicinal mushrooms, all chosen for their healing benefits to support times of mental stress and upheaval.

 

Skin care for Menopause skin changes

I am such a big believer in the ‘Osmosis BIG 4’ for women who are in the peri menopausal phase, or who are post menopausal. The reason I love these four serums from Osmosis is that they are designed to work together synergistically, and they’re all about strengthening the skin, which is something that makes all the difference as we age as our skin starts to thin and collagen and elastin begins to wear out. It is important to start to avoid products that have an inflammatory effect, such as those with astringent ingredients, and straight retinols (Osmosis uses retinaldehyde which is a more powerful, but gentler form). These serums also work to mimic the effects that estrogen has on our skin, by adding energy to the cells, boosting collagen and elastin and aiding in hydration.

Osmosis products are more expensive, so we have created some bundles that include a discount, and I will list these below the individual recommendations:

This is my recommended complete routine. The BIG 4 are the serums, and they are in bold.

1. Osmosis MD Purify. A beautiful enzyme-based cleanser that will clean without stripping
2. Osmosis MD StemFactor. Using stem cells to rebuild your skin, this serum will take your skin to the next level of smoothness and hydration, firmness, and youthfulness
3. Osmosis MD Rescue. Literally will rescue your skin. Complete epidermal repair to calm and strengthen your skins barrier
4. Osmosis MD Catalyst AC-11. This is one of the best age reversal serums available. It combines vitamin C and amino acids to rebuild, treat and prevent pigment, stimulate collagen and give your skin antioxidant protection
5. Osmosis MD Correct. A vitamin A serum that is delivered gently into the skin for optimal anti-ageing results. Vitamin A is the best vitamin for collagen synthesis. The serum “more potent” thank Correct is Renew, and this is what we have in our “bundle”. You can contact us to swap this with the right level of vitamin A for your skin.
6. Osmosis MD Protect. A lovely daytime moisturiser with SPF in the form of zinc, which is a natural anti-inflammatory
7. Osmosis MD Hydrate. A night time moisturiser full of hyaluronic acid to restore your moisture content
8. Osmosis MD Refresh is a lovely eye cream that reduces puffiness, fine lines and dark circles
9. A great weekly/twice weekly exfoliant is Osmosis MD Polish. It uses cranberry enzymes to dissolve the ‘glue’ that sticks dead skin cells together, leaving your skin lovely and soft

 

Best Osmosis bundles for ageing skin

1. Osmosis REVERSE. This bundle includes the serums from above (with a stronger vitamin A, Renew – we can tailor this if you contact us), as well as a collagen supplement that makes you feel more energised and promotes collagen in the skin
2. Osmosis REVERSE PLUS. This bundle includes the serums as well as the above cleanser, day time moisturiser, night time moisturiser, eye cream and the collagen supplement. It does not include the weekly enzyme mask.

After using these products, you should notice a smoother, more even toned texture in the skin, and over time, you will begin to see firmness, less fine lines and a softening of the skin.

I believe that if we can do a few things that make us feel better about ourselves, then the effects carry through to our physical and mental state. It can be quite confronting to no longer recognise the person in the mirror, so by taking care of ourselves during this challenging period of our lives, we can hopefully regain some of our confidence.

Meg

 

 

 

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