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Your Skin and Menopause

The symptoms may differ from one woman to another, a few are- hot flushes, night sweats, poor sleep, insomnia, exhaustion, mood swings, palpitations, breathlessness, depression, anxiety, hair loss/thinning, dry eyes/mouth, memory loss, brain “fog”, , headaches.

Lets look at how the menopause can affect your skin and what you can do to help!

Hormones especially Oestrogen is very important for the development of collagen, which is a protein that provides strength and structure to the skin. As hormones/oestrogen levels reduce, your cell connective tissue becomes thinner creating fine lines & wrinkles. Low oestrogen levels can lead to less blood flowing to the epidermis (upper layer of your skin). You may notice that your skin becomes more tired looking and often becomes less elastic and dull looking. Many women also experience acne and skin pigment changes.

Best ways of looking after your skin during the menopause?

Cleanse!

Cleansing is an important skin care step — As you get age your skin can get drier, and with the hot flushes and night sweats we have more bacteria on our skin. The key is using a cleanser that’s right for your skin. A creamier more lotion type formula that hydrates as some foam or gel cleansers can strip moisture away. Also add in a double cleanse at night time to get rid of dirt and bacteria, TOP TIP change your pillow slip daily cutting down on transference of bacteria.

Hydrate!

After menopause, your skin can get drier because oil glands aren’t as active. Try to give skin more moisture with a serum containing hyaluronic acid, and or B5. It is really important to use a good moisturiser regularly to improve your skin’s hydration. Moisturisers can help prevent trans-epidermal water loss. Think about using an oil of an evening with vitamins A, C & E. Skip long, hot showers and put on moisturizer while your skin is still damp. to boost hydration.

Eat Your Antioxidants

Collagen gives your skin its youthful plumpness and keeps your skin tight. As your oestrogen levels drop, so does the collagen in your skin. Eating foods with antioxidants helps make your skin stronger from the inside out. Look for brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, Eat a rainbow!! If your diet is not as healthy as you would like, then invest good quality vitamins including collagen, vitamin C, skin omega’s, Vitamin d and K for your bones and tiredness, plus a really good probiotic, aside from aiding digestion and feeding the healthy bacteria it also helps with the absorption and break down of nutrients, which directly affects your hormone balance. BASICALLY THE WHOLE BODY WILL WORK BETTER!

SPF (Sun Protection Factor)

Even though skin cancer and wrinkling are caused by the amount of sun you got in your 20s, 30s, and 40s, you still need to protect your skin. Why? Skin may have less natural protection than when you were younger. So look for a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher, and wear it every day. OR RAD SPF 15 because of the high amount of anti oxidants

Balance

Stress depletes your vitamins and can make your skin drier and more sensitive. It can also trigger conditions like psoriasis. And if you’re stressed out, you might even forget your skin care routine. Try yoga, meditation, and other stress-reduction techniques to help you relax

Exercise

Your body temperature naturally rises when you work hard. To keep up, your cells burn more fuel, which makes extra heat. Your body sends more blood closer to the skin to cool it off, and evaporating sweat helps bring your temperature down. That’s why it’s important to drink water when you work out.

Exercise does more than just tone your muscles. It helps skin in two ways. First, it relieves stress. Exercise also boosts circulation, which begins to slow with age. The extra oxygen and blood flow can help your skin look brighter and healthier.

Sleep

Getting enough sleep helps your skin look fresh. Sleep can help prevent dark circles under your eyes, and it also gives the rest of your body a chance to recharge. Lack of sleep can change your hormone levels and metabolism in the same ways that aging does. Not always easy for menopausal women so make the sleep you do have a good quality.

Hormone Levels

This is what’s behind menopausal hot flashes. You may think of hot flashes as sudden waves of heat coming from your head, neck, or torso maybe with red, blotchy skin, sweating, and increased heartbeat . As the oestrogen in your body declines, thermostat resets and cooling measures start to kick in–.Flushing can be the result of many things as your body tries to cool down An overactive thyroid gland, perhaps from Graves’ disease or after giving birth, or something else that’s causing high levels of thyroid hormone may also do it. Not everyone sweats when they have one, and you may feel chilled afterward.

Keep a Flush diary!

Can’t tell what causes your hot flashes? It’s a good idea to keep a diary with notes about your episodes and what you were doing, eating, and feeling, and any other symptoms.

Product Recommendation

Environ – A,C,E Oil £41.00 (or start on the AVST – 5 Step up) Vtamins

Environ – Youth essential Cleanser £39.95 Skin Omega’s £ 28.00 (60capsules)

Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 – £65.00 Skinceuticals C Ferulic (am) £153.00

Helio care spf 50 – £31.00 Collagen Support £25.00 inc vitamin C)

Thanks for reading Mary

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