With the menopause, completely new skin conditions often appear. Even previously easy-care skin types are now stubborn. New wrinkles are often the least of the evils. We are talking about extreme dryness, itchy scalp or even parchment skin. Sometimes the skin type seems to rotate 180 degrees. But why? We clarify that here together with the question of what care menopausal skin actually needs.
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Menopause up close Part 2: The right skin care
Menopause: new demands on skin care
Menopause triggers very mixed feelings in women. From hot flashes to the thought of putting tampons on the checkout belt for the very last time. But skin problems? They don't necessarily come to your mind - until they catch up with you. Then they go far beyond cosmetic ailments. That's why many people are disappointed or even desperate when their skin starts cracking despite so-called anti-aging products . But they are designed more for visible effects than for noticeable skin improvements.
Do you feel at a loss as to how to get your skin under control again? Then you are exactly right here. Let's take a look at what menopause does to your skin and how you can regain a better skin balance . Note our 4 tips below!
This is how the skin changes during menopause
Perimenopause (literally the time “around menopause”) is characterized by strong fluctuations in hormone levels . Sometimes estrogen is very high compared to progesterone (estrogen dominance), sometimes very low. This increases skin irritations . Maybe you can no longer tolerate products that have worked very well for you so far.
About a year after your last period, estrogen levels drop permanently. This can have several consequences:
-
The skin becomes thinner
Experts estimate that around 30% of skin collagen breaks down in the first five years after the last menstrual period. Therefore, skin thickness decreases by about 1% every year after menopause. -
dryness
This has several causes: 1. The skin produces less sebum, making its protective barrier porous. 2. It lacks substances that bind moisture in the skin. 3. The skin's firmness decreases, which increases its surface area. Water escapes from the skin faster. -
sensitivity
On the one hand, this is due to a lack of moisture and, on the other hand, to slower regeneration. The skin is less protected from environmental influences, but also reacts more sensitively to many ingredients. -
You tolerate less sunlight
The skin produces less of the skin pigment melanin, which provides a tan and at the same time protects against sunburn. UV radiation now irritates the skin more and promotes the formation of age spots. -
And of course: wrinkling
Less collagen, less cushioning moisture, which also makes lines and wrinkles more prominent.
Facial care during menopause
When it comes to skin care during and after the menopause, the focus is on two things: Lots of moisture and protection against losing it again straight away. Products containing water alone are of little use. First of all, many people with already dry skin are initially sensitive to it. Second: Your skin has a hard time retaining water . Since you will cream and cream without noticeable success. Because your skin needs
humidity +
a) Moisturizing factors that bind water in the skin
b) Oils that cement the skin barrier
1. Prevent moisture loss: The role of hyaluronic acid and co.
Some substances have the ability to bind water like a magnet and thus in the skin. These include glycerin , AHA acids, hyaluronic acid or urea as an intensive care product. Care with these ingredients significantly reduces the risk of moisture escaping and should not be missing in your bathroom! They are good for your skin in the morning and in the evening.
Product tip: The FIVE facial serum has a moisturizing and preserving effect thanks to rose water, glycerin AND hyaluronic acid.
2. These oils take extra care of your menopausal skin
do
Vegetable oils are recommended because they nourish and protect the skin without completely sealing it off. They also provide substances such as ceramides, phytosterols and long-chain fatty acids that repair the skin barrier . Because it protects the deeper skin layers from moisture loss.
Don't
Mineral oils such as paraffins or silicone seal the skin so tightly that it stops producing certain enzymes that are necessary for regeneration. This makes the dryness worse over time.
💡 Product tip : The FIVE Shea Cream and the FIVE Facial Oil - Dry Skin cover the most important of these substances.
Phytosterols in argan oil and shea butter give the skin stability and elasticity. Linoleic acid from the argan oil is converted to ceramide 1 , which blends seamlessly into the skin barrier.
The sea buckthorn pulp oil in the FIVE Facial Oil - Dry Skin provides you with the rare palmitoleic acid . It strengthens the skin barrier and is considered to be very well tolerated by sensitive skin.
You may be wondering why not combine the three products mentioned above and bring you a product that delivers moisture and oils to your skin at the same time?
The classic cream does exactly that: It consists of a water and an oil phase. In order to permanently combine these two phases, emulsifiers are required. They ensure the creamy consistency. However, emulsifiers are not picky. They also connect water (from the tap) with your skin's own lipids, which are so important for the protective layer. This leads to a wash-out effect that leaves the skin barrier more porous. The drought is getting worse .
Single-phase products such as moisturizing serums and gels or facial oils and waterless balms (such as our Shea Cream) do not require emulsifiers - bye bye wash-out effect! You can simply mix them together between the palms of your hands, apply to your face and your skin will do the rest.
4. Essential: sun protection
It's actually a must anyway, but especially now that your skin is becoming more sensitive to light. Many former sun worshipers feel that their more mature skin no longer tolerates UV light well. Avoid direct sunlight and always – ALWAYS! – to adequate protection through clothing and sunscreen. Reach for a high SPF here.
🌟 In our blog you will also find out what you should pay attention to when choosing sunscreen.
5. Important in facial care: the pH value
Maintaining the skin's natural pH value is important for 1. an intact protective function and 2. moisturizing the skin 1 . In mature skin, the pH value tends to be higher anyway. That's why you should now be careful with care that increases it, specifically with soap. Lathering once increases the pH of the skin for several hours. We examine the role of pH in more detail in the article on the skin microbiome .
🍋 Sour makes you beautiful : It is better to use slightly acidic care products such as mild enzyme peelings , for example from Santaverde . They refine the complexion and promote regeneration.
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Skin care isn't everything
Rest assured, you can get a handle on your skin's new dry spell. But I want to be honest, cosmetics alone usually don't solve the problem. The cause of skin problems during menopause are hormonal changes. And you feel it in many ways, from physical to emotional well-being. Therefore, it makes sense to approach the problem holistically . Part 1 of this series tells you what role nutrition, stress, sleep and self-love play in addition to the care routine .
I wish you every success with your new skin routine and that you continue to feel beautiful!
Your Anna
