Menopause Skin Care

Menopause Skin Care

Menopause heralds a new stage in a woman’s life, accompanied by many changes throughout the body, including the skin. My patients often complain of hair loss, acne, sun spots, dry skin and itching in the premenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal years. As ovarian function wanes, declining hormonal levels significantly impact skin health and appearance. Understanding the science behind these cutaneous changes can help design the perfect skin care routine for maturing skin during the menopausal transition. The key is to protect the skin from aging with the best menopause skin care.

I like to match my patient’s menopausal skin care routine to their Baumann Skin Type. I can d the same for you if you take the skin care routine quiz to find the best skin care products to treat your menopausal skin.

Menopause Skin Aging

Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstrual cycles, marking the end of fertility, and occurs naturally between ages 45-55 years as the ovaries stop producing eggs and estrogen/progesterone levels decline (2). Many skin changes occur during this time such as wrinkles, skin thinning, and loose, sagging skin. Skin aging increases during menopause.

Update your routine with menopause skin care by taking the quiz as soon as you start having insomnia, hot flashes and forgetfulness which are signs of menopause.

The skin type quiz will help you find build a menopause skin care routine.

Skin Signs of Menopause

Thin, Fragile Skin

Estrogen promotes types I and III collagen production in fibroblasts. During menopause, estrogen levels drop dramatically, slowing collagen synthesis. Studies demonstrate postmenopausal women lose 30% of skin collagen, mostly type I and III, within 5 years of beginning menopause (4,5). This thinning of the dermis leads to thin, fragile, wrinkled skin.

elastin decreases during menopause

Decreased Elasticity

Menopause is the time when skin begins to sag and lose firmness. Estrogen helps maintain elastin fibers that keep skin supple. With less estrogen, elastin breakdown occurs leading to sagging skin and jowls (6).

Dry Skin

Estrogen helps retain moisture in the epidermis. Declining estrogen causes skin dehydration due to increased transepidermal water loss (evaporation of water) from your skin. This is why you can get skin dryness and itching in menopause (5.7).

Pigmentation changes during menopause

Skin Pigmentation

Fluctuating melanocyte-stimulating hormones during menopause stimulate melanocytes to make melanin and can cause hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone. (6) This is why you may develop dark spots or sun spots on the skin during menopause.

The good news is that unless you take estrogen replacement medication, melasma tends to get better during menopause because it can be caused or worsened by estrogen.

Acne

Acne breakouts are common as shifting hormones and an increase of androgens trigger acne. Menopausal acne often manifests as pimples and cysts along the chin and jawline.

The best treatment for hormonal acne in menopause is the prescription anti-androgen medication called Winlevi (Clascoterone). Using this hormone blocking cream along your jawline and chin in combination with a retinoid can help prevent menopausal acne cysts.

Hormonal changes that affect skin

Hormonal Changes that Affect Skin

Estrogen

Declining estrogen during menopause correlates with reduced collagen types I and IV in the dermis and basement membrane. This leads to thinning of the skin, wrinkles, and reduced structural integrity.

Estradiol therapy can increase transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which upregulates collagen production. Estrogen also increases tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), reducing deleterious matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Overall, estrogen replacement increases collagen types I and III content, skin thickness, elasticity and moisture content (1,5,7).

Progesterone

Decreased progesterone during menopause is associated with reduced production of skin surface lipids such as ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. This leads to a compromised lipid barrier and leads to dry skin on the face.

When combined with estrogen therapy, progesterone increases skin surface lipids such as ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids. This is thought to occur through stimulation of sebaceous gland activity and increased sebum production. One study found a 48% increase in skin surface lipids with replacement of progesterone plus estrogen versus estrogen alone (20,21).

Testosterone

Menopausal testosterone decline along with estrogen reduction leads to impaired stimulation of collagen production. Testosterone therapy combined with estrogen results in up to 48% higher skin collagen content compared to estrogen therapy alone. Testosterone is converted to estradiol via aromatase to activate estrogen receptors. However, testosterone combined with estrogen particularly increases type II collagen synthesis, which is not seen with estrogen alone (22,23)

Human Growth Hormone

Diminished HGH levels during menopause correlate with thinning of the dermis as cellular proliferation and extracellular matrix components are reduced. Supplementing with growth hormone can help increase skin thickness and collagen. (1)

Thyroid hormone

The active thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) increase mitochondrial activity, ATP production, and antioxidant enzymes in dermal fibroblasts. At the molecular level, they upregulate collagen types I and III gene transcription, helping to thicken aged skin (1).

Decreased thyroid hormones during menopause reduce mitochondrial activity and collagen production in fibroblasts. This leads to skin thinning and fragility. T3 and T4 supplementation can help stimulate fibroblast activity and collagen synthesis (1,29,30)

Caring for pre and post menopausal skin

Pre and Post Menopausal Skin Care

Whether you are in premenopause, menopause, or post menopause, your skin care routine matters. Below in the Menopause skin care section I will discuss what I tell my patients about skin care products to use in pre menopause, menopause and post menopause. Basically- all 3 stages of menopause need the same skin care routine which should be matched to your Baumann Skin Type.

Here are tips I give my patients for improving their skin in menopause. Note that hormone replacement is not for everyone and should be discussed with your doctor, especially if you have a history in your family or self of breast, ovarian or uterine cancer.

Caring for Dry Menopausal Skin:

Use cleansers for your skin type

Add antioxidants to diet

Use retinoids if right for your skin type

Use rich barrier repair moisturizers

Exfoliate 2-3 times a week

Apply broad spectrum sunscreen daily

Drink adequate water

Consider topical estrogen for severe dryness

Provide attentive care during this transition and be consistent with your skin care routine.

With this approach, menopausal skin can maintain a healthy, vibrant youthful glow and texture- but you must use the right products for your Baumann Skin Type. There is much more to treating menopausal skin than using moisturizers and sunscreen.

Menopause Skin Care for Face

Not all menopausal skin is dry so make sure you take the quiz to see if you are dry or oily. (Most people guess incorrectly) Once you know if you are considered dry or oily in the Baumann Skin Typing System, you should choose your cleanser by your skin type. The cleansers below may be good for your skin, but it is better to take the quiz and let us tell you exactly which cleansers to choose.

Cleansers

Cleansers can make a huge difference in menopausal skin by depositing fatty acids on the skin and exfoliating. But make sure you shop by your Baumann Skin Type.

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Eye Creams and Serums

Face Creams

The best face cream to use for menopause should have antiaging ingredients. The right one for you depends upon which Baumann Skin Type you are. I recommend the products below but take the skin type quiz to be certain before you buy.

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Serums for menopausal skin

Face Serums

Antioxidant serums such as Vitamin C serums and retinol serums are good for most skin types to help increase skin collagen lost during menopause. These may also help firm skin and prevent sagging.

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Masks for Menopause

Wild Yams are a natural source of estrogen. This vegan mask is a natural way to plump up and hydrate menopausal skin. It also has caffeine which is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and helps reduce any facial puffiness.

This antiaging mask also helps stabilize your skin’s microbiome.

Sunscreens

Menopause Skin Care For Body

Body Wash

Stay away from soaps, bubble baths, and very foaming body washes that strip lipids from the skin and injure the skin barrier. These can make menopausal skin even drier.

Instead choose creamy body washes and follow with an oil or body cream.

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Body Creams

When estrogen levels drop, you need a barrier repair body cream and a body oil to help replenish skin lipids.

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Menopause Supplements and Vitamins

Eating a healthy diet is so important when you are going through menopause. You can also look for antioxidant supplements with ingredients like green tea, polypodium leuctoomas, pomegranate, ascorbic acid, and resveratrol among many others.

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Every product that you use in your skin care routine is important. They interact with each other so your skin care routine step order and how you layer the products affects how well they absorb and how effective they are.

Let us help you find the best skin care brands to treat your menopausal skin. You will be able to combine products from different medical grade brands into the perfect perimenopausal, menopausal or postmenopausal skin care routine.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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