Every moment of the day, our hormones work harmoniously, orchestrating various bodily functions, from the marvels of human reproduction to regulating metabolism, managing our moods and stress responses, activating digestion, and promoting restful sleep.
Among these hormones, oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone take centre stage in a woman's life, influencing changes from puberty to pregnancy and through the natural transitions of perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
In this article, we'll look at how this transition and the hormonal changes affect the skin and offer advice on effective skincare solutions for this sometimes-challenging transitional phase, beginning with perimenopause through to menopause.
At Aesthetics Rx®, our goal is to help nurture your skin health to keep it youthful and radiant throughout this stage of life.
Hormonal Impact on Your Skin
Oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone individually and collectively influence the skin. Understanding their specific effects provides insight into the relationship between hormones and skin health and how best to manage the changes and care for the skin as they begin to decline.
Oestrogen
Essential for skin vitality, oestrogen activates collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, ensuring healthy and vibrant skin. It also helps maintain skin thickness and moisture, creating a smooth and radiant complexion.
Progesterone
Besides its role in fertility, progesterone promotes skin radiance and regulates sebum production, keeping your skin glowing and reducing the likelihood of acne breakouts.
Testosterone
Often associated with male sexuality, testosterone also influences oil flow, acne conditions, and hair growth in women.
Changes in the Skin as Hormones Fluctuate
Before menopause, the skin is hydrated, plump, firm, and flexible; thanks to the balanced levels of reproductive hormones and, with proper protection against environmental damage and a well-formulated skincare routine, the skin will remain smooth, radiant, and wrinkle-free well into mid-life.
Your Skin During Perimenopause
During perimenopause in your early 40s, hormonal shifts can lead to skin changes, including moisture loss, fine lines, wrinkles, pigment patches, and increased sensitivity.
During perimenopause, it’s important to prioritise a balanced skincare routine with a gentle cleanser and essential nutrients like vitamins A, C and E and other plant-based antioxidants to protect from oxidative stress.
Additionally, using products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid will help maintain the skin's hydration levels, combating dryness and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
Sun protection is paramount as skin becomes more susceptible to UV damage. Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to shield against harmful rays and prevent premature ageing.
Once You Reach Menopause
While the transition to menopause can take many years from perimenopause to eventual menopause, which most women reach by their mid-50s, the steady decline in the hormone oestrogen can lead to an accelerated loss of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, which are responsible for the skin's resilient structure and youthful appearance.
On average, the decline in collagen and elastin is up to 30% in the first five years of menopause, leading to pronounced wrinkling and sagging in the skin. Reduced oestrogen levels also contribute to skin dryness and thinning.
Skincare solutions for menopausal skin.
While menopause brings rapid changes that may feel challenging, several approaches can minimise visible signs of ageing, promote collagen production, improve skin hydration, and enhance overall skin health.
- Cosmeceutical Skincare: Embrace products with potent antioxidants, peptides, and epidermal growth factors to support skin health, improve turnover, and stimulate collagen production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
- Prioritise Hydration: To lock in moisture, maintain skin suppleness with hydrating serums and moisturisers containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides.
- Sun Protection: To prevent photoaging and collagen breakdown, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) daily to shield your skin from UV rays.
- Consider Retinoids: Vitamin A derivatives, such as retinal, improve skin texture, minimise fine lines, and boost collagen production.
- Internal nutrition: Nourish your skin with a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to promote skin health and natural renewal processes. A diet high in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can particularly benefit your skin.
Key Skincare Ingredients
Throughout perimenopause and menopause, specific skincare ingredients can support your skin's health and function optimally:
- Retinal (Vitamin A derivative): Renowned for its anti-ageing capabilities, Retinal offers controlled delivery at a cellular level, causing fewer adverse effects compared to retinol. It enhances skin elasticity, protects against free radicals, and reduces lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Has multiple benefits, including improving texture, evening out skin tone, and diminishing hyperpigmentation.
- Panthenol (Provitamin B5): A powerful moisturiser and skin-soothing agent. It enhances hydration, supports skin barrier repair, and reduces inflammation, making it ideal for dry, sensitive, and irritated skin.
- Argireline™ Peptide: Derived from natural proteins, Argireline™ (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8) reduces the appearance of expression wrinkles with regular use.
- Ceramides: Vital for the skin's barrier function, ceramides form a protective layer, preventing water loss and shielding against pollutants, irritants, and microbes. Topical application strengthens and repairs the skin, maintaining hydration and health.
- PhytoCellTec™ (Swiss Apple Stem Cells): Blended with stem cells from rare Swiss apples, PhytoCellTec™ stimulates skin renewal, enhances elasticity, and reduces wrinkles, harnessing the regenerative properties of plant stem cells.
- Epidermal Growth Factors: Epidermal Growth Factors (EGFs) are a group of proteins naturally present in the body that play a crucial role in skin cell growth, repair, and regeneration. In skin care, they support biological functions to improve the overall health and appearance of the skin.
- Hyaluronic Acid: Naturally occurring in the skin, hyaluronic acid has excellent hydrating properties, keeping the skin supple, youthful and diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Recommended Aesthetics Rx® Products
At Aesthetics Rx®, we’re committed to helping you choose skincare products that assist you in caring for your skin through perimenopause and menopause and with the right skincare ingredients to support skin health and minimise the visible signs of ageing, keeping it hydrated and radiant to bolster your confidence as you enter the next stage of your life.
Anti-Ageing Regeneration Formula
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Age-defying night cream An intensive moisturiser packed with high-tech and plant-based actives to replenish and combat the signs of premature skin ageing.
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Total Repair DNA Serum
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A sophisticated formula for skin recovery, repair, and rejuvenation, this serum is our highest-performing, restorative night treatment for healthy, glowing skin.
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Vitamin B Serum
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Niacinamide (vitamin B3) + Panthenol (vitamin B5) + Hyaluronic Acid + Sodium PCA Start your day with a dose of hydration, skin support, and antioxidant protection with this multi-action powerhouse.
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Pre Juvenation DNA Oil
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A revolutionary oil to restore, hydrate and regenerate. This nutrient-rich skin elixir helps maintain a youthful complexion, diminishes dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and shields against harsh environmental damage.
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Conclusion
Caring for your skin during perimenopause and menopause doesn't have to be daunting. By understanding the hormonal changes and implementing a consistent and targeted skincare routine, you can ensure your skin remains healthy, resilient, and radiant throughout this transformative life stage.
Remember, ageing is a natural process, and caring for your skin is a way to embrace and celebrate this time of life while feeling and looking your best.