Dry skin

As with most other menopause-related symptoms, hormone changes sit at the heart of changes in your skin that you may be experiencing.

Changes in oestrogen can impact the condition of your skin because there are receptors in the skin for oestrogen. This can directly impact things like: how well your skin retains moisture (water), as well as the collagen (building blocks) and good oils (sebum) in your skin – all of which can lead to dryer, older looking skin.

Collagen is key building block of your skin and helps to keep skin firm, elastic and smooth. As you age – and as your oestrogen levels drop during menopause – you skin loses collagen. This can lead to increases in wrinkles, worsening eczema, less firm and youthful looking skin.

Changes in the balance between oestrogen and the male hormones (androgens) in your body can also lead to things like acne (as if the teenage years weren’t bad enough!) or increased hair growth on your face.

The good news is that there are a number of steps you can take to manage the impact of hormonal changes on your skin. And they don’t have to cost a fortune. Simple lifestyle changes can have a positive impact on the health of your skin – as much as the expensive lotions and treatments do.

Here are a couple of things that you can do to help manage dry skin during menopause.

• We are what we eat: And what we eat can show up on in the health of our skin. Try avoiding foods that cause inflammation as this can have a negative impact on your skin. A diet high in sugar, unhealthy fats, dairy, gluten and meat may lead to increased inflammation in your body, which will impact the health of your skin (among other things). Try avoiding these or limiting them to quantities that fall within healthy eating guidelines like those given by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa (https://www.heartfoundation.co.za/healthy-eating/).
• Quit smoking: Yes, we know. We’re asking you to give up another thing that has helped to keep you sane. But the reality is that smoking can be harmful in a number of ways. And during the menopause transition, smoking is one of those habits that gets in the way of staying healthy and can increase the severity of the symptoms you may be experiencing like aging, dry skin.
• Water is your new best friend: We all know that getting enough water is part of a healthy diet. But did you know that staying hydrated is also key to maintaining skin health? Keeping your skin hydrated from the inside, is a sure way to improve how your skin looks and feels.
• Take care of your skin: Wash your skin regularly (twice a day) with a good quality skin cleanser, and moisturise. Look for skincare products that contain ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid (for hydration), Retinol (to boost collagen), and Niacinamide/Vitamin B3 (a powerful antioxidant). Always wear factor 30+SPF sun protection when you are out and about (no matter your skin tone).
• Consider supplements: Along with a healthy diet, there are some supplements that have been shown to improve skin health. Some of the most common supplements for skin health include:
  • Curcumin (turmeric) – for its rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties;
  • Vitamin B3 (niacin) – helps reduce the impact of stress on our skin;
  • coQ10 – helps with the healthy functioning of cells and may improve the appearance of fine lines;
  • Collagen – reduce the signs of skin aging, drying, and improve the elasticity of the skin.