Get The Gloss: Menopausal Skincare: Our Pick of the Best
Not Simply An Anti-Ageing Cream — It’s All About Soothing, Hydrating and Plumping Skin, Prone to Sensitivity, Hot Flushes, Extreme Dryness and Myriad Other Menopausal Issues. Here’s What To Look For
Transforming our skincare routine for seasonal changes is something we get used to, but changing it to suit our hormones? It can be a challenge- particularly if you’re going through perimenopause or menopause.
Hot flushes, chills and increased sensitivity can be a regular occurrence – needs can change from day to day and month to month. A consistent daily skincare regime can be complicated. “In our research, we have specifically studied how skin changes from one decade of life to the next – all the way from the teens to the eighties, and while there are a couple of tipping points in your 30s and 40s, we observed the biggest changes during women’s menopause – usually in their 50s and 60s,” says Dr Frauke Neuser, Olay Principal Scientist. “Skin regeneration and repair slow down significantly, while ageing processes are accelerated.”
Skin also becomes thinner because of decreases in oestrogen levels. “There is a significant loss of collagen in our skin at the time of menopause. Hyaluronic acid levels also drop (a very important humectant),” says dermatologist Dr Justine Hextall. “As a result, skin loses its glow and elasticity.” We’re also more redness-prone too during these years. “The ceramides that act as cement in the skin barrier also reduce with time and skin becomes drier and therefore often more irritated.”
There’s a growing demand for products that can tackle these concerns and brands are beginning to meet it. A range of launches is designed to help slow down the ageing process and also relieve the physical discomfort that menopausal symptoms can cause.
From high street and high end, here’s a run-down of some of the latest and greatest.
Best for: Luxury addicts
This two-step range includes both your day serum and your night cream to take the confusion out of using multiple products and layering different formulas. Emepelle dedicate themselves to being the first and only brand to use MEP Technology, an ingredient that encourages the skin to behave as if oestrogen is still there.
You might have noticed that your skin is misbehaving in ways it hasn’t done before and a reduction in collagen can be the main culprit. To restore the appearance of the skin, Emepelle have combined their MEP Technology with powerhouse ingredients retinol, niacinimide, peptides and hyaluronic acid to restore hydration, radiance and firmness.