Acne during menopause can be annoying, but it’s totally normal
Aside from comments about dryness, wrinkles, and fine lines, menopausal acne is rarely talked about. You thought you got rid of that annoying boyfriend in high school, didn’t you?
But the good news is that the silver lining for unabashedly silver-haired ladies is that with a personalized approach and the right skincare routine, you can easily prevent the onset of midlife acne. Let’s (briefly) break down the known causes and prevention options to guide you through this problem.
The cause.
Big hormonal changes, of course. But let’s expand on that. The female hormone estrogen drops rapidly during menopause (both perimenopause and postmenopause), disrupting the delicate balance of androgens, especially testosterone, which had previously worked so well together to produce a calm and healthy complexion. When estrogen levels drop, testosterone increases, leading to increased sebum production, which can lead to constipation. A small group of facial hair also forms on the chin at this time, as most of the androgen receptors are located in this lower area of the face.
Our old friends estrogen and testosterone are two of the same sex hormones that can cause skin problems during important life stages like puberty, early adulthood, and pregnancy. During these times, however, estrogen is more of an ebb and flow, fluctuating one way or the other, in stark contrast to the dramatic drop in estrogen during menopause.
As any woman who has gone through or is going through menopause will quickly discover, stress is also a key factor in this life change. This systemic response to the reproductive organs typically occurs and essentially ceases between the ages of 45 and 55, when your career may have peaked, you’re raising excitable teenagers, and you’re embracing that newfound confidence and desire while maintaining healthy relationships. An increase in the stress hormone cortisol often manifests itself during flare-ups. Trying to make your lifestyle more calm during these years is essential for your skin health and overall well-being.
Prevention.
The most effective treatments for menopausal acne focus on trying to correct the hormonal imbalances mentioned above, which often means taking an inside-out approach. After a visit or 74 with your trusted primary care physician (which we highly recommend), you may be prescribed anti-androgen medications to stop these acne-causing, facial hair-growth-inducing hormones from overreacting.
On a more surface level, your usual acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide and retinol may help, but you should be careful with these ingredients, as they can make dry skin (which is also common during menopause) even drier. Instead or in conjunction with these treatments, look for gentle products/ingredients that are known to deeply nourish and intensely hydrate.
AHAs – your “Aha!” moment when establishing an effective skincare routine during menopause. They dissolve the glue that holds skin cells together, speeding up cell turnover. Increased cell turnover = new skin cells and a powerful glow. We recommend incorporating them into your nightly skincare routine 2-3 times per week to keep pores clear and unclogged.
Ceramides (which occur naturally in the skin, but their production slowly declines after 30 years) are excellent moisturizers for dry skin, helping to plump, restore, and protect this barrier. Found in rich moisturizers and face masks, ceramides strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and help regulate oil production.
Don’t oversleep hyaluronic acid—it’s like giving your confused menopausal skin a big glass of water. The molecular weight of hyaluronic acid allows it to easily penetrate the skin, attracting and retaining moisture for maximum plumping and firming results. Once hyaluronic acid is absorbed into the skin, it stays there and continues to attract and lock in moisture. What’s not to like about that?
A menopausal skin-care routine should be based on three basic principles: be gentle, lock in moisture, and prevent moisture loss. This decade or so will really test the integrity of your skin, so lean on these super-nourishing solutions to ensure a happy, healthy, calm face (and don’t forget, your face ends at your breasts).
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
