Menopause skin: The 4 ways menopause takes a toll on your skin
Lisa Snowdon details the symptoms of her early menopause
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We’re all well aware of what skin ageing entails, and wrinkles, age spots, easy bruising and jowls are the typical signs we expect to see as we get older. However, once you’ve been through menopause there are a few more changes that can occur in your skin. Express.co.uk chatted to skin expert Abbey Conley from Young LDN to find out the four ways menopause changes your skin and reveals how to get your glow back.
Menopausal acne
You might think you’ve seen the last of spots as you approach middle age, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Abbey said: “When we go through menopause our hormone levels constantly rise and fall in the same way as expected during teenage years.
“This has an effect on the body’s sebaceous gland and triggers it to produce more sebum – in simpler terms, this means that our skin becomes more congested and prone to breakouts.
“And although acne rates do decline with age, the skin can behave more unpredictably during menopause, even if you have enjoyed clear skin for many years, and especially if it’s not taken care of properly.”
Ageing
It is common for the skin to age when you’re going through menopause as oestrogen levels drop, and oestrogen plays an essential part in the production of collagen within the skin.
Abbey explained: “This means that our production of collagen drops too after menopause.
“Collagen is a protein in our bodies that helps keep the skin young and strong, so when we have less of it, it can affect the appearance of our skin and cause it to age.”
Sensitivity
Are you finding your skin is super sensitive after menopause? This is totally normal.
Abbey said: “Most women will experience hot flashes when going through menopause.
“This is due to increased blood flow in our bodies, which causes an increase in body temperature.
“The increased blood flow to the face can then lead to the skin feeling more sensitive than usual.
“In some more extreme cases, this can lead to damaged capillaries, which can show up on the skin as thin, blue or red threads.”
Dry skin
The way menopause affects our bodies can be unpredictable, and while some people’s bodies might produce more sebum (prompting acne), others might produce too little sebum.
Abbey explained: “This changes the appearance and texture of our skin, causing it to look and feel rough and dry.
“As a result of this, some may find that the texture of their skin becomes uneven and flaky.”
How to look after your skin after menopause
You don’t have to put up with the uncomfortable skin symptoms associated with menopause if you don’t want to.
If your skin is dry, switch to a non-drying cleanser and use lots of serum and moisturiser to restore moisture to the skin.
If your skin is really sensitive, stop using harsh acids on your skin and use gentle products that don’t worsen the problem.
Acne is a tricky problem to solve, but always remember to take your makeup off and consider using a salicylic acid cleanser to exfoliate your skin and unclog blocked pores.
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