Menopausal Skin - What is it?

I’ve been throwing around the term “menopausal skin” for a few weeks now and somebody asked me to explain what exactly that means. I’m glad she asked, because it encompasses so much more than “aging”.

Menopause brings about all kinds of changes in woman’s body. The physical changes that we most commonly associate with menopause are the end of the menstrual cycle and the beginning of hot flashes. But, menopause has a significant impact on the skin as well. The loss of estrogen causes diminished collagen and elastin production which results in loss of firmness and elasticity of the skin and the appearance of more lines and wrinkles. In fact, there are some studies that show that skin can lose up to 30% of collagen after the first five years of menopause. Women can also experience changes in texture and tone of the skin, dryness, pigmentation problems, acne and even facial hair. Aren’t you glad you asked???

One of the ways to manage menopausal aging is to use skin care products that contain ingredients known to enhance collagen production. Retinoids (Vitamin A such as retinol, retinol palmitate, retinoic acid or tretinoin) are always a good choice. Your doctor can prescribe Retin-A® or Renova® for its proven exfoliation and rejuvenation qualities. It’s a good treatment if you are suffering from menopausal acne as well.

Collagen-enhancing peptides such as the SmartPeptides found in Striking Skin Care are also excellent for restoring menopausal skin. For instance Striking Multi-Peptide Serum contains Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-14 and Heptapeptide-7. These peptides encourage keratinocyte proliferation and migration as well as collagen production. In plain English that means it makes the skin look and feel firmer while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, in an independent clinical study of Striking Multi-Peptide Serum, 94% said they had firmer skin in 14 days and 84% said the appearance of fines lines and wrinkles were reduced in 14 days.

Here is a "before" photo:

Here is the "after" photo at 14 days:


The formulation also contains trehalose and glycerin which are excellent at protecting the skin from dehydration while helping to restore its natural moisture balance. The result is smoother, firmer, well-hydrated skin.

The use of a good broad-spectrum sunscreen is also highly recommended to protect the skin from the sun’s aging rays as well as discourage any hyperpigmentation that may occur. Look for a sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays. There are many sunscreen options available for use over or under your moisturizer or there are several foundations on the market that contain SPF that are a good option.

I’d personally also invest in a Clarisonic Sonic Face Brush (see my post on 10/8/09). This brush cleans your skin more efficiently than manual cleansing which allows your treatment products to penetrate better and do what they’re supposed to do. The initial investment is big ($195), but the payoff is worth it.

What tips do you have for managing menopausal skin?

Posted by Brigette, contributor