How To Take Care Of Your Skin After Menopause

  Did your skin totally change overnight? Welcome to menopause. These days we have so many tools and methods and products to help keep us looking, and feeling, young. So when menopause hits, it can catch us off guard. We still feel youthful, but the reality is, our bodies are changing. This is also the most challenging time for your skin. Your hormones are all over the place, causing all sorts of havoc. Your skin is now drier than sandpaper. It sagged all of a sudden. Your fine lines have turned into deep crevices while you weren't looking. Like all this weren't enough, postmenopausal skin is very fragile: it tears and bruises easily and is even more prone to eczema. Acne may have made a comeback too. Fighting against these hormonal shifts seems hopeless. But it's a fight you can win. Truth is, there are plenty of things you can do to restore balance in your body and skin:

Why Does Your Skin Change After Menopause?

You're not imagining it. Your skin is aging 10 times faster after menopause. Here's what's going on:

• Collagen loss: when you're young, your skin is pumping out collagen (the protein that keeps it elastic) like there's no tomorrow. After you hit 21%, you start losing a little bit every year – until you reach menopause. Then, collagen loss picks up speed – quickly. You lose as much as 30% in the first five years alone! Blame that on estrogen. Now that your skin doesn't have as much, it causes all kinds of havoc.
• Water loss: another thing your skin loses after menopause? Dermal glycosaminoglycans. That's a fancy way of referring to hyaluronic acid and all the other substances that bind water to your skin. Without them, your skin can't quench its thirst and becomes dry.
• Slow cellular renewal: your skin is always renewing itself. The oldest, most damaged skin cells on the surface of your skin disappear, giving way to brighter and healthier cells. But this is another thing that slows down after menopause. During this delicate stage, the top layer of your skin flattens and thins, becoming unable to renew itself as quickly. Those old, damaged dead cells remain on the surface for longer, giving your skin a rough, dull appearance.
• Oxidative damage: that's the damage free radicals cause to your skin cells, DNA, collagen etc. You experience some oxidative damage (usually due to unprotected sun exposure and normal aging) all your life, but after menopause, it multiplies. Skin can't protect itself as well, incurring way more damage than normal.

 

How To Take Care Of Skin During Menopause

I know, it's a scary list! Bad things are happening to your skin and you feel like you have no control over it. Well, you do. There are many things you can do to slow down the damage menopause does to your skin. Here's where to start:

1. Build back collagen

This should be your priority. Once your skin starts losing collagen at an accelerated speed, it quickly becomes saggy. And those few fine lines you had suddenly turn into deep crevices. Retinoids (all forms of Vitamin A), Vitamin C and Glycolic acid are all powerful anti-aging superstars that can boost the production of collagen up a notch or two. For best results, use a Vitamin C serum, like our Super-C 20% Vitamin C Serum, under your sunscreen (it boosts its effectiveness) and alternate between Glycolic Acid and Retinol at night.

2. Fight Wrinkles With Retinoids

Even with the best skincare routine in the world, wrinkles are gonna happen. But, that doesn't mean you have to watch them comfortably getting a seat on your face. Give them the boot with retinoids – they're proven to reduce wrinkles, not just their appearance! Word of warning: retinoids can be irritating, especially now your skin is becoming more sensitive. Choose a serum that uses microencapsulated technology, like Babyface's Night Renewal Cream All Trans Encapsulated Retinol. Microencapsulation delivers the retinol into your skin over a period of several hours rather than all at once. It's the perfect way to get all its benefits without its side effects! PS: If you're dealing with acne, Retinol will bust that, too.

3. Get Your Hyaluronic Acid Back

Glycolic acid doesn't just boost collagen. It also amps up the production of Hyaluronic Acid, the humectant that makes sure your skin has all the moisture it needs to stay soft and radiant. Our extra strength 12% AHA Serum with Hyaluronic Acid has both Glycolic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid for a double dose of moisture. While we're on the topic, glycolic acid helps fade dark spots, too.

4. Switch To Oils

You've probably been avoiding oils like the plague for years for fear they may cause you to breakout (P.S. This doesn't happen as often as you think), but at this time of your life, they're your new BFF. Oils can remove makeup without stripping the little sebum still left on your face and create a protective barrier on the skin that locks moisture firmly in. Whether you're buying a cleanser, a serum or moisturizer, make sure it's oil-based. Or, you can simply use one of our premium oils, such as Emu, Argan, or Raspberry Seed instead of a moisturizer. They're all packed with antioxidants to help prevent wrinkles too. Win win.

5. Load Up On Antioxidants

Now that your natural defences are down and your skin is more vulnerable, free radicals are having a field day. Time to call reinforcements, ladies! Antioxidants are the superheroes you need to kick those nasty free radicals in the butt and prevent the wrinkles and dark spots they bring along. Every single product in your skincare routine should be loaded with them. By the way, the more the better. Just like your body doesn't need only broccoli, your skin doesn't need only Vitamin C. Our AntiOx Organic Antioxidant Toner is full to the brim with antioxidants. It has licorice, green tea, vitamin E… You name it, it's there.

6. Don't Forget Sunscreen

Yes, after menopause, natural aging picks up speed. Fast. But the sun is still responsible for up to 90% of premature aging. You may have no control on your hormones, but you can definitely control how you expose your skin to the sun. You'll be preventing a ton of damage by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day. SPF40 Age-Defying Mineral Sunscreen uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, two UV filters gentle enough for sensitive, delicate skin. Menopause changes plenty of things in your life, but it doesn't have to change your skin, too. Follow the tips above and you'll get your soft, glowing complexion back!