MENOPAUSE ALSO AFFECTS YOUR SKIN, DON'T FORGET ABOUT IT

Our skin goes through several transformations throughout our lives. It is normal that there are times when we notice our skin is more oily and others, for example, drier. For us women, this change is even greater, since around the age of 50 we go through menopause, a phase in which we stop menstruating and ovulating and the process is full of hormonal changes, which lead to mood to changes in the skin such as dryness, decreased elasticity and loss of firmness. In more advanced cases, blemishes, wrinkles and even sagging skin can also take place.

Since the hormonal changes that occur during menopause can accelerate the skin aging process, it is important to reinforce the care and use nourishing and firming products to reduce the intensity of these effects and to keep the skin beautiful for longer.

Skin changes during menopause: what happens?

During menopause, two key factors act together to affect the overall composition and appearance of aging skin: collagen and estrogen.

Collagen, a protein made up of amino acids, is one of the main components of the skin. These organic compounds help maintain healthy skin by constantly renewing old and damaged cells. Collagen also plays an important role in skin elasticity, helping to keep skin firm and supple and prevent sagging.

During the first five years of menopause, the skin undergoes a radical transition in which it loses about 30% of its collagen, and an additional 2% is lost each year thereafter. This reduction in collagen is directly related to the significant decrease in estrogen that occurs during menopause. The loss of estrogen causes less collagen fibers to be produced and, as a result, the area becomes more delicate, flaccid and subject to wrinkling. In addition, the levels of hyaluronic acid, so important for hydration, also decrease, leaving the skin dry and sensitive to irritation.

How does menopause affect the skin?

The skin is the organ of the body that most reflects the aging process and as we have seen before, menopause triggers a decrease in estrogen levels which can lead to several changes in the skin, including:

• decreased collagen production

• increased fine lines and wrinkles

• thinner, looser skin

• dryness

• increased facial hair

• acne

• sun spots

Since menopause-related skin changes can begin as early as age 40, this may be the ideal time to consider changing your skin care routine to help keep your skin looking and feeling great. And while signs of aging are inevitable at this stage, some special care may slow down the process.

Menopausal skin routine step by step

As the body changes, the skin care routine must also change with the choice of cosmetic products with the right ingredients, especially those designed to promote cell renewal. 

A good daily skin care regimen during menopause includes:

• Washing the face with water and a mild cleanser with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and/or glycerin.

• Avoid using soaps since soaps remove oil from the skin when what we want to moisturize and nourish it.

• If you suffer from acne, consider using a soap-free cleanser containing salicylic acid to help unclog clogged pores. 

• Use a moisturizer with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and/or glycerin for best results. Ideally, apply it to the skin to absorb effectively and lock in moisture.

• Apply a physical sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher before going outside. A sunscreen protects your skin in the long run as the sun causes wrinkles, fine lines and sunspots.

At night, apply the same cleanser as in the morning and an anti-aging product with peptides before going to bed. To reduce wrinkles and acne we can also opt for a product with retinol (derived from Vitamin A) to increase collagen production.

Products with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and glycerin help lock in moisture, while peptides help reduce discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles.

Frequent application of sunscreen can not only help prevent fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration, but is also a defense against skin cancer.

Menopausal skin changes can be frustrating at first and creating a new skin care routine to alleviate these problems can take time, so remember that a little patience will help you find your new rhythm.

Menopausal care varies greatly from person to person and each skin needs a treatment suited to its particularities. From RIU Parfum we suggest some products from Clarins brand, which have been specifically developed to combat the problems of mature skin.

CLARINS MULTI-INTENSIVE DAY & NIGHT LINE

We start with the new Multi-Intensive Day & Night product range that responds to the needs of 50+ female skin, affected by the signs of aging accentuated by hormonal changes:

• Sagging and flaccidity

• Loss of density and elasticity

• Skin fragility

• Skin blotchiness

• Dehydration, dryness and tightness

• Lack of luminosity 

• Accentuated wrinkles

Researchers at Clarins laboratories have found that the main cause of skin slackening caused by hormonal changes is due to a decrease (in quantity and quality) of fibroblasts, the cells that live in the middle layer of the skin (dermis). These cells are responsible for the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, three proteins that are essential for the skin to maintain its elasticity, firm structure and hydration. This means that as we age, the number of fibroblasts progressively decreases and consequently the lack of luminosity, dehydration, flaccidity, expression lines and wrinkles become more visible.

To combat the problem, the laboratory has selected a powerful duo of plant extracts with proven redensifying and tightening efficacy, which acts directly on the signs of aging caused by hormonal changes: organic Harungana extract and organic Agoma extract. 

Organic Harungana extract is the natural alternative to retinol, with direct action on collagen synthesis and stands out for its anti-aging and redensifying properties. Organic Gorse extract, on the other hand, provides tonicity and acts against skin sagging, resulting in +95% tightening power for the skin!

To reinforce the redensifying and tightening effect, the range also includes a global anti-aging action thanks to 4 other ingredients:

1. Vitamin C, known to help fight spots 

2. Desert date palm, for a boost of radiance and a more even complexion 

3. Organic sea lily, for its moisturizing properties 

4. Shea butter, highly nourishing 

A plumper, firmer, nourished, illuminated skin with visibly reduced wrinkles? Yes, it is possible with the fantastic Clarins Multi-Intensive line! Choose from Clarins Multi-Intensive Day and Multi-Intensive Night creams to find the one that suits you best:

• Clarins Multi-Intensive Day for Dry Skin

• Clarins Multi-Intensive Day All Skin Types

• Clarins Crème Rose Lumière Multi-Intensive Day All Skin Types

• Clarins Multi-Pressurizing Night Care for Dry Skin

• Clarins Multi-Intensive Night All Skin Types

Multi-Intensive is an exclusive treatment that is a complete sensorial experience!!!

CLARINS REGENERATING EXTRA FIRMING MASK 

Clarins' first anti-aging soothing face mask contains a blend of Green Banana and Lemon Thyme extracts that helps boost the appearance of elasticity and firmness and revives radiance. Visibly minimizes fine lines and wrinkles. Skin looks younger in just 10 minutes.

Soothing cream-gel texture, delicious mauve color and soothing aromatic plant extracts.

- Visibly firmer skin

- Smoothes fine lines 

- Minimizes wrinkles

- Tones and revives the skin

- For all skin types

Daily stress and fatigue can become visible on our skin in the form of marked tension lines, loss of firmness and, above all, lack of radiance.

With all these signs of fatigue in mind, Clarins has created the Multi-Régénérant Extra Firming Mask, which smoothes the skin, reduces accumulated fine lines and restores skin firmness while infusing it with radiance.

This soothing care contains green plantain extract, known for its calming properties, and thyme extract, which helps prevent loss of skin firmness.

Achieve firmer, more luminous skin for a visibly younger-looking face in just 10 minutes.

Plus, its delicate mauve color stimulates your senses, conveying an immediate feeling of relaxation.

CLARINS MULTI-RÉGÉNÉRANT ANTI-WRINKLE LIP AND LIP CONTOUR BALM

And finally to complement your treatment, Multi-Régénérant Lips, a balm that nourishes, smoothes and comforts the lips and lip contour.

Soothing lip balm with oil extracts to visibly repair, redensify, soften and moisturize dry and chapped lips.

Rich in shea and raspberry oil, this smoothing and regenerating treatment gives lips visible volume, restoring their youth and seduction.

The Maxilip complex, which promotes the synthesis of Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid, also helps to give them more volume.

Contains:

• Raspberry oil: rich in protective and nourishing vitamin E;

• Shea butter: soothing and antioxidant, promotes skin regeneration and protection;

• Maxilip Complex: promotes the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid.

Use it day and night and show off well, plumped and well-defined lips with this Clarins lip balm for lips from 40+.

Here is the link to the Clarins products page, enter and discover the products in the range that best suit your skin and your needs.

Key Takeouts

Skin changes as we age and menopause triggers hormonal changes such as reduced estrogen levels which can cause or accelerate the signs of skin aging.

While it is not possible to completely prevent aging, some ingredients can help mitigate some of the signs and symptoms and we can make the process lighter when we take care of our skin and dedicate time to self-care.

Regular use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF greater than 30 can reduce UV-induced damage such as wrinkles, discoloration and skin cancer.

It is always worth remembering that the aging process is natural and we should not blame ourselves for it. To accept our wrinkles and fine lines is to know that we live great stories.