From unexpected acne to loss of firmness, perimenopause can show up on your face before you even realise what’s happening. Here’s what’s behind the changes – and how to adapt your routine.
- Dry skin
Dryness is one of the most common skin concerns during perimenopause, as the body produces less of the skin’s natural oils.
- Soap can be very drying on the skin, so swap out foaming cleansers and bar soaps for soap-free, gentle milky cleansers or cleansing oils.
- Wash your skin with warm (not hot!) water, as hot water is very dehydrating, and pat it dry rather than rubbing it with a towel.
- Moisturise your skin twice a day with a nourishing moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerine or squalene.
- Drink lots of water to hydrate your skin from the inside out, and apply a broad-spectrum SPF daily to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays.
- Sensitivity
Declining oestrogen levels lead to thinner, more reactive skin. If you’re experiencing sensitivity, it’s important to restore your skin’s barrier function.
- Switch to gentle, fragrance-free products that won’t irritate your skin or strip moisture.
- Apply a serum and moisturiser rich in hyaluronic acid and ceramides to restore moisture, lock it in and rebuild the skin barrier.
- Wear breathable clothing made from natural fabrics (cotton, linen, etc.), stay hydrated, eat a diet rich in fresh, unprocessed foods, take lukewarm showers, and apply sunscreen daily.
- Signs of ageing
With the decrease in natural skin oils, hyaluronic acid and collagen, the skin may lose plumpness and elasticity, making wrinkles and fine lines more visible. This may be addressed in several different ways, including professional skincare treatments such as laser resurfacing, chemical peels, injectables and LED light therapy.
- Ramp up your home skincare routine with active ingredients like vitamin C (which helps create a more even skin tone and fights environmental damage), retinoids (to boost collagen production and fight wrinkles), and peptides (to stimulate the skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin).
- Breakouts and acne
The hormone fluctuations that occur during perimenopause may lead to imbalanced oil production, which often results in breakouts, particularly along the jawline, chin, and neck.
- Cleanse your skin twice daily with a gentle salicylic acid cleanser.
- Apply a quality serum containing spot-busting active ingredients like retinol (this promotes skin cell turnover and unclogs pores), azelaic acid (to soothe redness and kill breakout-causing bacteria) and niacinamide (to soothe inflammation).
- Reduce your body’s inflammation by getting adequate sleep, managing stress and minimising your dairy, refined sugar and carbohydrate intake.
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