Aging comes with many complicated emotions and a whole host of physical changes. This is particularly true for women as they transition through menopause. Nosediving hormone levels can send your skin into a tizzy, causing the tell-tale symptoms of growing older.

Maintaining your skin is crucial at this point, so you will likely need to make some changes to your products and routine to address the slackening, dullness, and dryness many women face as they enter middle age.

Caring for Menopausal Skin

   1. Battle Back Against Dryness

Aging skin tends to be drier and needs extra hydration every chance it can because your sebaceous glands will need extra help as they slow down production. This means that the moisturizer you choose is absolutely critical.

Rich creams act as a physical barrier between your skin and the environment, trapping moisture close to the surface. You can also try applying your moisturizer while your skin is still damp for an even more significant hydration boost.

Look for creamy cleansers over gels, as they are typically much richer and contain humectants that help your skin retain moisture. On the other hand, gel cleansers have foaming additives that can strip the skin of its natural oils.

Skip out on steaming hot showers. The warmer the water, the more likely it is to dry out your skin, causing rough patches, flaking, and dullness.

   2. Be Mindful of Your Acne Treatments

It’s not uncommon for women experiencing menopause to have acne breakouts that give you teenage flashbacks, but many acne treatments are too harsh for thinning skin.

Salicylic acid is gentle and effectively cleanses pores, but you may want to speak with your doctor about hormone treatments in extreme or prolonged cases.

   3. Keep an Eye Out for Increased Irritation and Sensitivity

Aging causes the pH in your skin to change, making it more prone to irritation. Skip out on the heavily-fragranced products, roughly-textured clothing, and common causes of contact dermatitis like household detergents.

   4. Address Hair Concerns

The sudden plummet in estrogen levels can cause facial hair to look thicker and darker. Laser hair removal is an excellent option if you want to avoid the pain of waxing.

You may also notice that the hair on your head is thinning. The sooner you begin hair loss treatments, the more likely you will achieve the desired results.

Start by talking to your dermatologist so they can assess the cause and offer different treatment options like Thermadome Pro LH80 or Viviscal Pro tablets.

   5. Mitigate Decreased Collagen and Elastin

Collagen proteins make up the structure of your skin, while elastin gives our skin elasticity, but our bodies slow production as we age.

A weakening infrastructure and looser skin causes sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. We also tend to lose fat in our cheeks, making them look hollow.

Staying hydrated inside and out can lessen the effect because dehydrated skin looks even less plump. You should also look for antioxidant-rich foods and skincare products, as they slow down the rate of free radical damage.

   6. Increase Your SPF

UV rays do untold damage to your skin, from interrupting normal cellular processes to causing hyperpigmentation.

In addition to a dermatologist-trusted sunscreen, invest in wide brim hats and loose, linen clothes to protect yourself from sun damage in the warmer months and bundle up in the winter with scarves, gloves, and plenty of extra-rich moisturizer for the exposed parts of your face.

   7. Exfoliate Regularly to Deal with Dullness

Your skin can start to look less radiant and luminous as dead skin cells build up on the surface and cell turnover is less efficient. Regular exfoliation helps slough away dull patches, revealing a brighter complexion and rejuvenated appearance.

You should avoid harsh acids and physical exfoliants with large, abrasive particles. Instead, look for polishing products with gentle exfoliators like NuCelle Mandelic Mint Scrub. It contains extra-fine Jojoba beads and mandelic acid to buff away dullness.

  8. Stay in Touch with Your Dermatologist

Your dermatologist will be your best resource for menopausal skincare catered specifically to your concerns. They’ll also be able to watch bigger issues, such as irregular moles, a sign of skin cancer.

The skincare experts at Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Institute and Advanced Skin Therapeutics provide medical and cosmetic services, a wide range of provider-exclusive products, and decades of experience treating all skin types at any age.