One reason for this is that they’re all over the skin changes of menopause.
Or, rather plastic surgeon and Environ founder, Dr Des Fernandes is.
I’m going to give you an overview, what you can do about it, and at the bottom product suggestions.
Because in my experience that’s super helpful.
To be clear, this isn’t an ad.
Bonus? A series of videos about menopausal skin from the man himself!
So, let’s dive right in shall we?
Menopausal skin ch-ch-changes
Image by Ekaterina Bolovtsova @pexels
Have you noticed your menopausal skin changing?
It becomes dryer, less plump, less elastic and all the things. (Sorry!)
One reason for menopausal skin changes is that estrogen – or more precisely estradiol because estrogen is a plural – diminishes in perimenopause. And in post-menopause estrone, a weaker estrogen becomes more dominant.
FYI: estriol is the other estrogen but that’s only significant during pregnancy.
So, back to your menopausal skin. Estradiol is a big contributor to the production of collagen and elastin. And they are the fibres responsible for plump, elastic skin.
Or the reason you can pull youthful skin and it literally springs back to where it was. And that’s not so much achievable with menopausal skin!.
Skin loses up to 30% of its collagen in the first five years of the menopausal years.
So as estrogen hormones decline, collagen production decreases, and the moisture levels of the skin barrier function lessen.
Plastic surgeon and Environ founder Dr Des Fernandes on menopausal skin
“Estrogen plays a role in stimulating the production of collagen and glycosaminoglycans such as Hyaluronic Acid. The decline of progesterone contributes to the deficiency of the skin’s natural oils and together, these compromised moisture components leave the skin susceptible to trans epidermal water loss,” he says.
What’s interesting here is that ahead of World Menopause Day on 18 October 2023, Environ conducted research on menopausal skin. And they found that despite experiencing significant changes to skin during menopausal phases, 66% of women haven’t looked for professional skincare advice or treatments.
So it’s a good thing you hang out here then, isn’t it? (Smile-y face.)
It’s estimated that the number of menopausal women around the globe will reach 1.1 billion by 2025!
That’s a lot of us, right?
Image by Anna Shvets @pexels
And it’s why Environ asked 800 women aged 45-59 years about their skin.
As a result – and this is one reason I fly this meno flag – they learned that these women did indeed have key skincare concerns as well as struggle with stigma and miscommunication.
Furthermore, that menopause is something that is quietly suffered alone, or over-medicalised.
And it’s so true because I see this every single day. It’s also why I work from a natural, holistic perspective.
Dr Des underlines the fact that no amount of makeup can reverse skin changes so high-quality skincare is key. In fact, in his eyes, the best option is to ensure that the skin cells are at their best by the time menopause is reached.
I couldn’t agree more because as someone with a long career in beauty. Read: I’ve grown older with it!
I can tell you there is a visible difference between a person who has always looked after their skin and one who hasn’t. Especially if they’ve been fortunate enough to be able to see a beauty therapist regularly.
“Skincare professionals are the highly qualified brains behind the science of skin and beauty. They can help a great deal by providing personalised expert recommendations on home skincare and professional treatments that can make real improvements resulting from the loss of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and hydration. Menopause is as individual as a person’s own genetics when it comes to the symptoms and effects on the skin, which makes personalised advice even more important,” says Dr Des.
Indeed, skin cells are known to have receptors for estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones. What’s more, the rapid decline of these hormones results in the shut-down of hormone receptor systems in the skin, which ultimately leads to the “changes” experienced by women pre, during and post menopause.
Menopause Skincare Insights
When asked what the most visible effects of perimenopause or menopause are on the skin, 51% of the women surveyed stated dry, itchy skin and over 34% cited wrinkles, sagging and loss of volume.
One in five suffered acne flare-ups. And that’s a thing too due to high androgen/testosterone ratios.
So, what can you do?
Well, look at your skincare!
Vitamin A is the most powerful promotor of collagen and natural moisturising factors.
Dr Des maintains that the topical replenishment of vitamin A and antioxidants is the most effective starting point for women experiencing the effects of menopause on their skin.
“Without any doubt, the most important nutrient for beautiful skin before, during and after menopause is vitamin A. This essential skin nutrient controls the normalised activity of skin cells through its effects on cellular DNA, it promotes the healthy metabolism and differentiation of skin cells, and it’s also the most powerful promoter of the skin’s natural moisturising factors,” he says.
Environ’s philosophy is to combine vitamin A with potent antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, as well as specialised peptide technology so that the skin can synthesise healthier collagen and build optimal natural collagen levels before menopause.
Perhaps the most confronting result from Environ’s survey is that of the women surveyed only 13% said they accepted their skin changes. Most of them used words such as ‘sad’, ‘awful’, embarrassed’ and ‘frustrated’, ‘unattractive’ and ‘depressed’ when asked about their skin.
That’s too sad and why Environ’s focusing on menopausal skin for Menopause Awareness Month.
Isn’t that great news? Well, I think it is.
Here are Environ’s (and Dr Des’) product suggestions for you:
The effects of menopause on the skin
During the menopause transition, the decline of estrogen [estradiol] and progesterone is known as the shut-down of the hormone receptor systems in the skin. As a result, menopausal skin changes occur. Changes such as:
- Dryness
- Loss of volume
- Lines, wrinkles and sagging skin
- Acne flare-ups
- Photo-damage
Dry, itchy skin
OMGosh this one is sooo very common and it’s due to the loss of skin hydration and plumpness in menopausal skin. As a result, the skin’s natural moisturising factors (NMFs – moisture components) and healthy protective barrier function lessen. Indeed, NMF’s like hyaluronic acid aren’t produced as generously which leads to reduced moisture retention.
And that’s why you may experience increased rashes, irritation and reactions.
How to relieve the effects of dry and itchy menopausal skin
Break out a good quality vitamin A (retinol) and antioxidants. “Vitamin A is the most powerful natural promoter of natural moisturising factors and supports the skin’s ability to produce and retain moisture,” says Environ.
Tip: Environ’s Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM is created to optimise the levels of essential nutrients in the skin, without the risk of irritation, starting with low dose Vitamin A and increasing as you progress.
Introduce alpha-hydroxy acids into your daily skincare routine. AHA’s are natural, organic acids that promote gentle micro-exfoliation to help give the skin a softer and smoother appearance.
Examples are Environ’s Focus Care Youth+ Concentrate Alpha-Hydroxy Toner and Focus Care Moisture+ Alpha Hydroxy Night Cream.
You want to deliver as much hydration as possible to your menopausal skin. In addition, boosters can help.
Examples include: Environ’s Focus Care Moisture+ Super Moisturiser and Focus Care Vita-Antioxidant Hydrating Oil Capsules.
Volume loss and thinning menopausal skin
As we noted earlier, estrogen plays a big role in stimulating and regulating collagen production, which gives the skin its firmness, elasticity and structural integrity. BIG. So, as estrogen levels decline, collagen production decreases.
Approximately 30% of one’s collagen is lost in the first five years post-menopause, which is a major contributor to the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
In addition, sagging and loss of volume (sorry!) can occur. As also already mentioned, the skin produces less hyaluronic acid. Thus it may reach something called dermatoporosis, which is a technical term for a weakened skin structure.
Vitamin A and antioxdants are your skin’s BFF and hopefully, they have been for years because vitamin A is a powerful collagen and elastin booster. And the more collagen you have preceding meno the better off your skin will be. (Tell your daughter!)
Environ’s Youth EssentiA® Range has a number of products that can help specific concerns –
Focus Care TM Youth+ Retinol Serums (available in 3 strengths) for those who want to amplify the collagen-boosting benefits of a more intensive retinoid form of vitamin A.
Focus Care TM Youth+ Hydro-Lipidic 3D Synergé Filler Crème is a multi-award winner!.
Focus Care TM Youth+ Tri-Biobotanical Revival Masque has a special combination of ingredients that make a rapidly visibledifference to the appearance of tone, texture and hydration. Hailed as Environ’s ‘Facelift In A Jar’ Revival Masque leaves the skin looking noticeably firmer, tighter and more radiant.
You can also fast-track results with the power of micro-needling technology, scientifically shown to enhance the effects of the powerhouse formulations by safely and effectively delivering up to 100 times more essential nutrients to where the skin needs it the most.
Related: Best In Beauty: Microneedling
How to combat acne flare-ups during menopause
While estrogen declines during menopause, testosterone doesn’t. And yes, it’s not just a male hormone, testosterone is important for women too.
In fact, testosterone helps regulate sebum, which is basically the skin’s natural oil. So, if you’ve had acne/zits in the past, the hormonal imbalances of menopause can actually increase congested skin. So voila! A pimple or three.
Again, vitamin A and antioxidants help along with naturally exfoliating AHA’s (alpha hydroxy acids) and specific beauty therapy treatments.
Examples from Environ:
Environ’s Focus Care Clarity+ Range is an innovative 3-phase system offering a complete skincare solution. Each phase contains products that have been specifically formulated to target the root causes of breakouts by giving your skin exactly what it needs, where it needs it the most.
I hope that helps and if you’d like some help with your skin please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me here. I’ll leave you with a series of educational videos about menopausal skin from Dr Des. Enjoy!
Dr Des Fernandes
CLICK HERE TO WATCH AND LISTEN
Do you need help?
If you would like some step-by-step help to manage these signs and symptoms, do get in touch with me.
I’m Jenna, an accredited holistic health coach with a passion for helping women after 40 with weight gain and bullying peri / menopause hormones.
I do this work because I’ve been there and received no solutions when I searched for help. So I pivoted careers, spent thousands of dollars and hit the (study) books so that I could create a system to kick Menozilla out the door! 🙂
Yours in health & happiness 🙋
estrogen, oestrogen, menopausal skin woes
