Skincare and beauty

Skincare & beauty during PERI/MENOPAUSE

Sharing effective remedies for compromised, menopausal skin… By Pauline Hill

When Pauline reached perimenopause her skin became ‘hormonally mad’ - in a debilitating and irreversible way. In our new, regular, feature she shares products and solutions which have helped her manage her compromised skin…

Skin changes during peri/menopause

Skin changes are very common during perimenopause/ menopause. These can present in many forms – dryness, sensitivity, allergies, acne, dullness, and increased bruising – to name just a few.

The most common cause is the reduction in the levels of the female sex hormone, oestrogen. Oestrogen is required for the skin’s natural hydration mechanisms, as it helps the skin produce ceramides, natural hyaluronic acid and sebum.

Oestrogen also stimulates the production of collagen. Collagen is an abundant protein in the human body and plays a major role in the plumpness of our skin.

I was floored by my skin changes

In all honesty, I was completely unprepared for the extent of change that my skin went through as I hit perimenopause.

Overnight, it became very sensitive and very dry. It rebelled against everything I used - skincare, makeup, fragrance. All the go-to brands I loved were no longer tolerated. I was red and weepy-eyed and prickly skinned. Nothing I tried seemed to help.

In the big scheme of things, intolerance to all things skincare/makeup/beauty might not seem a big deal. But, in reality, as a woman going through menopause it was a huge assault on my work confidence, femininity and social confidence.

As a result, I’ve spent 10+ years researching solutions that might prove effective for my troublesome skin.

However, falling oestrogen levels are not the only culprit

The stress hormone, Cortisol, can have a major impact on the health and appearance of our skin during peri/menopause, too. Sadly, it is not unusual for women to experience symptoms of insomnia and/or increased anxiety during this period of their lives – which can lead to the body producing excessive amounts of Cortisol. Since cortisol is an inflammatory hormone, it can also cause a wide range of skin concerns. Double whammy! “I don’t have a medical or science background.

Nor am I commercially linked to any product or company that I write about.

I’m simply a post“ menopausal woman who has found answers along the way

I have many stories and they continue to evolve. In this issue, I share my early approach. In future issues, I’ll cover specific recommendations for skincare, eyes and lips…

First steps to finding answers

To begin with, I didn’t even connect my skin problems to the onset of perimenopause.

Through my own sleuthing I tried to identify the chief cause; was it a particular ingredient, a particular brand, a particular fragrance? Certainly, fragrance was now a big ‘no-no’. Not only could I not wear it in any product form I couldn’t even be in the same room with it. And my eyes were very sore - red and raw around the lids. I swopped make-up brands and tried countless alternatives. It seemed anything with colour/pigment caused a reaction - blusher, lip gloss, eye shadows – all on the no go list. Eventually, I sought professional help. I was referred to a dermatologist for a skin PATCH TEST. Sadly, for me, it didn’t provide an answer, but it may for you. It showed I have very sensitive and reactive skin but no pointers to any specific substance(s).

Nevertheless, I had the opportunity to discuss skincare brands with the professionals. At that time they recommended two: La Roche Posay and Avene.

Patch testing is a specialist procedure carried out in dermatology departments to find out whether your skin condition is caused or made worse by an allergy to substances which have come into contact with your skin.

Source British Association of Dermatologists Researching and learning

Over time, I’ve found certain information sources which I trust and have come to rely upon for advice.

One of these is the online health and wellbeing site VICTORIA HEALTH. Co-founder Shabir Daya MRPharmS is a qualified pharmacist specialising in natural health. The company lives up to its values of trust and integrity and I use a number of its products. There’s also an extensive library of helpful articles.

Similarly, I can recommend the eye health site BUTTERFLIES EYECARE. Founded by pharmacist Michelle Sutton and optometrist James Sutton, it was a great source of information when my eye problems first erupted. I’d like to round off by highlighting a particular skincare/beauty hobby horse of mine. I am passionate about the need for beauty companies to offer product samples. Being able to test products before committing to the (expensive) full-size item is a must for people with compromised skin. Saving money and cutting down on waste.

Online store NATURISIMO is one of my ‘sampling heroes’. They stock a fabulous range of natural and organic products and offer numerous sampling options – Discovery Boxes and Starter Kits as well as a comprehensive selection of individual samples. I’ve certainly found many helpful brands/products here. I’ll be spotlighting more of my sampling heroes in future articles.

Thank you for taking the time to read the first of my ‘menopausal skin stories’. I wish everyone a wonderful summer and I look forward to sharing it with you again, soon…