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If the menopause is playing havoc with your skin tone, then it’s time to refresh your skincare regime. Food Scientist and Nutritionist Susie Debice reveals why it’s just as important to nourish your skin from the inside while also caring for your skin from the outside. This combination of skin support is set to give you glowing results.
Collagen decline
As you grow older your levels of collagen, a protein found deep within your skin that provides the structure, firmness and elasticity for that all important youthful skin tone, naturally stars to decline. A shocking 30% of your collagen is lost from your skin within the first five years of your menopause, which is why skin issues may suddenly start to appear.
Menopausal skin issues
I’m not just talking about those imminent pesky fine lines and wrinkles. The menopause could give rise to lots of other skin changes that you need to keep your eye on. Changes in hormone levels influences the production of sebum an oily coating that protects and moisturises your skin. You could start to experience dry or oily skin, open pores, pimples, redness, sensitivity, blotchiness and a higher level of pigmentation.
Refresh your skincare regime
Giving your skincare routine a fresh start is an essential part of growing old gracefully!
Step 1 – Cleanse and exfoliate
As you get older your skin is likely to become dryer and you could get a build-up of dead skin cells on the surface which dulls your complexion. Skin ageing impacts the tone of your skin leaving it less robust, thinner and more sensitive. Be kind to your skin. Now is the time to choose gentle and mild cleansers which help to moisturise while they clean your skin. Ditch harsh exfoliators which are way too aggressive for your delicate mature skin. Instead choose soft and gentle exfoliator and use with a lightness of touch, rather than vigorously scrubbing away.
Step 2 – Moisturise and protect
More mature skin is more than often - thirsty skin. Collagen creates a network within the skin which houses hyraulonic acid, a water attracting substance that plays an essential role in hydrating the mechanisms involved in skin hydration.
As collagen levels drop during the menopause your skin may become easily dehydrated. Using rich hydrating creams and lotions helps to increase the function of the barriers on the surface of the skin that help prevent water loss. Facial serums made from vitamin C, rich in rosehip oil or jojoba oil are the most recommended base oils for dehydrated mature skin. For maximum results, apply your serum in the morning and before bed.
UV rays are particularly damaging for ageing skin cells as the naturally protective factors tend to be less efficient as the skin grows older, thinner and more sensitive. Wearing a high SPF factor all year round is now a necessity to help shield your skin from the harmful effects of free radicals generated by UV rays.
Step 3 – Nourish your skin
It’s easy to focus on topical skin support but these creams, lotions and serums only act as a surface barrier. To truly reach the deep dermal layers of the skin you need to nourish your skin from within. This means it’s time to re-vamp your diet!
Cut back on coffee, alcohol, sugar, salt and hydrogenated fats which tend to contribute to the skin ageing processes. Eating a rainbow-coloured diet is the best way to load up on foods rich in the antioxidant nutrients vitamins A, C and E which help to protect cells from oxidative stressed generated from pollutants and UV rays.
Bone broths have seen a resurgence in popularity, mainly because they provide a natural source of collagen. They do take a long time to make, so an easier option is to supplement your diet with hydrolysed collagen peptides. These are available in powder form and can be easily added to cold water, juice, hot drinks, soups and smoothies.
