Menopause up close Part 2: The right skin care

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.

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 are disappointed or even desperate when the skintends to burst despite so-called anti-aging products. But they are more focused on visible effects than on tangible skin improvements.

Feeling 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 get a better skin balance. Note our 4 tips below!

This is how the skin changes during menopause

The 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 irritation. Maybe you can no longer tolerate products that have worked very well for you so far.

About a year after the last period the estrogen level drops permanently. This can have several consequences:

• The skin becomes thinner
  Experts estimate that around 30% of the skin's 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
  It has several causes: 1. The skin produces less sebum, which causes its protective barrier to become porous. 2. It lacks substances that bind moisture in the skin. 3. The skin's firmness decreases, which increases its surface area. So water escapes faster from the skin.
• Sensitivity
  This is due to a lack of moisture on the one hand and slower regeneration on the other. The skin is less protected from environmental influences, but also reacts more sensitively to many ingredients.
• You can tolerate less solar radiation
  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: wrinkle formation
  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. Water-based products alone are of little use. First of all, many people with already dry skin are initially sensitive to it. Second: Your skin has difficulty binding water. Since you will cream and cream without noticeable success. Because your skin needs

💡 Product tip: The FIVE Shea Cream and the FIVE facial oil - dry skin cover the most important of these substances.

You may be wondering why we don't 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. Emulsifiers are needed to permanently connect these two phases. 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 dryness is getting worse.

One-phase products such as hydrating serums and gels or facial oil and waterless balms (like our shea cream) come without 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. Indispensable: sun protection

It's actually a must anyway, but especially now that your skin is becoming more light-sensitive. 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. Feel free to 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 for facial care: the pH value

Maintaining the natural pH value of the skin is important for 1. an intact protective function and 2. skin moisturization¹. 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 value of the skin for several hours. We examine in more detail what role the pH value plays 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.

Skincare isn't everything

Relax, you can get your skin's new dry spell under control. 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. That's why it makes sense to approach the problem holistically. The role that diet, stress, sleep and self-love play in addition to the care routine is revealed to you in part 1 of this series.

I wish you every success with your new skin routine and that you continue to feel beautiful!

Your Anna