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A few years back, perimenopause hit me like a tidal wave. Hot flashes, mood swings, and insomnia were just the beginning. I felt like I was losing a part of myself. But the changes I noticed in my skin were the most noticeable and frustrating. My once radiant complexion started to dull, fine lines appeared, and my skin felt dry and loose.Â
I started researching the impact of menopause on skin. Turns out, the hormonal fluctuations can wreak havoc on our skin’s collagen production, elasticity, and moisture levels. It’s like watching your skin age rapidly overnight.
Determined to combat these changes, I decided to explore skincare routines and various options for mature, menopausal skin.
Here are some shocking stats I came across:
-Along with the reduced barrier function of the skin, low estrogen (which starts in perimenopause) impairs its ability to retain moisture – so its freshness, firmness and suppleness goes down.
-In the earliest stage of menopause, the first five years, the amount of collagen decreases by 30%, and then continues to decrease at a rate of 2% per year.
-Each postmenopausal year, skin thickness decreases by 1.13%.
After reading and researching, I started talking with my friends. Here’s what they do to retain glowy skin during this transformative time in their lives. Hopefully it helps you as you go through the menopause and all the skin changes.
Maya: Perimenopause has been awful, but my skin looks great!
“I love dermarolling once a month with a 0.5mm roller. I’m so anal about safe dermarolling though! It’s not painful, just slightly unpleasant while rolling, and feels like a mild sunburn for the rest of the day. I use it to build new collagen.
Daily I use Vitamin C and Retinol serum, hyaluronic acid, and tinted SPF BB cream. I use retinol serum and restorative eye cream at night. I also wash with an oil cleanser and then a foaming cleanser only at night.
I take a scoop of collagen in my soup/coffee daily, and also take some daily vitamins and supplements for a variety of issues. Not sure which ones help skin, but I take a B complex, Vitamin D, DIM, NMN, turmeric, potassium, zinc, and a cal/mag.
Perimenopause has been awful, but my skin looks great!”
Anna: Fighting the dry skin
“My skin is really dry, I feel like nothing can moisturize it. My hands are also so dry to the point where they look older. I started incorporating topical antioxidants and retinol with bakuchiol into my daily routine. Use it with a niacinamide serum at night. 1-2 times a week I start with glycolic acid, but you need to work your skin up to being able to mix glycolic acid and retinol, which is why I prefer plant-based retinols over synthetic ones.
In the daytime a vitamin C or other antioxidant serum, then moisturizer and sunblock. The reality is that the plant-based retinol family it going to be your go-to.“
Sandra: long-term spf use helped me a lot
I am 47, on systemic HRT since I was 42 when I first noticed peri symptoms. My skin is very good mainly because I have used SPF 50 daily for decades and I have used tretinoin for 30 years now. I also do dermal needling, TCA, led masks, massage, egf, as well as general skin care.
Also, I never drank alcohol, smoked, did drugs or sunbathed in my life (I don’t enjoy those things) also a life-long vegetarian who eats clean and gets enough protein. No filler or botox as I don’t need them yet. I think long term use of high factor spf, tretinoin, and systemic HRT are the main things that work to make my skin look good.
Maria’s Experience: Nourishing Serums And Lasers
“As I was going through perimenopause, my skin had become very dry and sensitive. I was initially hesitant to use retinol due to concerns about potential irritation. I started with a plant-based alternative and my skin tolerated it very well. I paired it with a moisturizing Vitamin C and a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect my skin from further damage. I also did two laser treatments that helped with my pores and uneven skin texture.
Within a few months, I noticed a significant improvement in my skin’s appearance. My complexion is brighter, my skin feels firmer, and the fine lines around my eyes seem less pronounced. I am thrilled with the results and feel more confident in my skin. Plant Mother’s skincare routine helped a lot – their line specifically targets menopausal skin problems.”
Gloria: Fighting melasma and age spots
“For me, menopause and hormonal imbalances brought age spots and melasma on my forehead and cheeks. I discovered IPL. If you are willing to have a procedure, IPL is wonderful (not for all skin types though). I have had two and will have my third tomorrow– they encourage doing a series. My age spots are so close to being gone I considered not doing the third round.Â
I also have been using niacinamide and Vitamin C and various acids for three years. I did one round of hydroquinone. Just skip it and get IPL and good, nourishing serums for maintenance. It’s an investment but it will get you the results you want faster than anything else.”
