Menopause is a pivotal time in a woman’s life, for some they sail through it, whilst others find it very challenging. It can also trigger some unwelcome changes in our skin. As oestrogen levels and our own natural hydrating moisturising agents like sebum, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides plummet, this decline translates physically into that feeling of dryness, tightness, and increased sensitivity, which is not just confined to the face; skin on the body can feel like this too. Skin also starts to lose its elasticity, causing sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. Thankfully though it’s not all doom and gloom. The good news is that there are many ways you can help your skin combat these changes in hormonal levels and, as always, skincare is key. Remember too, you didn’t arrive at menopause overnight so don’t expect to be able to change everything overnight – it takes time, but you’ll begin to see the difference; skin will be happier, your body will be happier, and you’ll have your glow back!
First things first, reassess your skincare routine. Are your current products serving you and your skin well with the emphasis being on gentle – you don’t want to dry out skin even more or compromise the delicate skin barrier.
Look firstly at your cleansers – opt for cream or milk cleansers and avoid anything harsh that leaves skin feeling tight or dry, if it does, it’s not the right cleanser for your skin. Also, important that you stay away from any harsh cleansing tools that might exacerbate any sensitivity or redness. Bloom facial puffs are ideal for gentle cleansing, priced at €16 for three, they are a lovely addition to your cleansing routine. Soft and gentle on the skin but tough on makeup, they will easily cleanse your face from any traces of pollution, dirt, grime and are suitable for all skin types. The set has two large and one small microfibre round cleansing puffs, available from selected pharmacies nationwide and online from bloomb.ie
Dial up the hydration – When choosing a moisturiser dial up the hydration and comfort and look for skin barrier boosting ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, ceramides and niacinamide. Skingredients Skin Good Fats (primary €55 / refill €49) doubles up as a rich moisturiser plus night cream in one, locking in hydration while reducing inflammation and irritation. This ceramide barrier balm works by replenishing your skin’s essential fats, vitamins, and goodness to bring equilibrium to your skin, available in selected pharmacies nationwide and online from skingredients.com
Incorporate a serum into your routine – Choose a serum to do the heavy lifting and help tackle collagen depletion. Collagen gives your skin structure and support, it is estimated that in the first five years of your menopause, we lose 30 per cent of our skins’ collagen. As this depletes, we begin to notice loss of firmness and some sagging. Ingredients like retinoids, vitamin C and peptides are all great for boosting collagen synthesis. Hyal C + E Serum from Irish Skincare Brand Reform targets multiple concern and has a super formulation containing Vitamin C for collagen production and brightening skin, Hyaluronic Acid for hydration, Vitamin E to nourish the skin and Ferulic Acid is in there too, providing superior antioxidant protection, €60 from www.reformskincare.com
Sunscreen everyday – Protecting your skin is more important than ever – if your collagen is diminishing you definitely don’t want to accelerate that process with excess sun exposure, so protect your skin and make sure you are using daily sunscreen. AlumierMD Clear Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 42 is a lightweight, non-comedogenic, quick-drying physical sunscreen that provides powerful broad-spectrum protection against harmful UVA and UVB rays using a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Niacinamide soothes and relieves redness and sodium hyaluronate hydrates, €50 available from AlumierMD stockists nationwide or email hello@shernamalone.ie
Don’t forget lifestyle – Take stock of your diet and your nutrition along with exercise. I always advocate a holistic approach when it comes to skin health. If menopausal symptoms are impacting your wellbeing, supplements can be a welcome addition. After the three years of research and development in consultation with experts in various fields of nutrition and science Meno Active was brought to market, a unique product scientifically formulated for women to take throughout their menopausal journey. It is formulated with a comprehensive blend of 30 active ingredients including omega 3 DHA, digestive enzymes, plant extracts, strains of live friendly bacteria, vitamins, and minerals, all delivered in a unique sachet and capsule combination that helps support hormonal activity, brain function, nervous system, and energy. Dr Fiona Barry PhD BSc Lic Ac MBAcC and member of the Meno Active formulation team expresses “A food supplement needs two things: firstly, the correct ingredients and secondly the correct inclusion levels. In my opinion, Meno Active is the most comprehensive food supplement on the market for this phase of a woman’s life” Free from artificial preservatives, flavours, and colours, it is vegetarian friendly and suitable for people with diabetes, €59.99 for one months’ supply, available in selected pharmacies nationwide and online www.reviveactive.com
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