Navigating the Effects of Menopause on the Skin

Perimenopause is a transitionary period that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years when ovaries are shown to slow down the production of oestrogen and progesterone hormones. This period of erratic hormonal swings typically occurs in women around their mid-forties and can result in noticeable skin changes.

Menopause is the milestone medically defined as one year of no menstruation. This is the phase in a woman’s life when periods completely cease for a period of 12 consecutive months due to the marked decrease in oestrogen and progesterone hormone levels.

All skin cells are shown to have receptors for oestrogen and other hormones, which is an indication of the vital role these hormones play in the healthy functioning of skin. During the menopause transition, the decline of these hormones is known to shut-down the hormone receptor systems in the skin, which results in the “changes” that women typically experience. Some of the significant skin changes experienced during menopause include:

• Dryness (loss of skin moisture and plumpness) and impaired skin barrier function
• Loss of volume (skin cushioning) and thinning skin
• Lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin
• Acne flare-ups
• Photo-damage

Loss of skin hydration and plumpness experienced during menopause is mainly due to the decline of oestrogen and progesterone hormones which play an important role in maintaining the skin’s vital natural moisturising factors (NMFs - moisture components) and healthy protective barrier function. As one ages, the skin slows down its production of NMFs such as hyaluronic acid, but the rapid decline during menopause can lead to reduced moisture retention and a weakened skin barrier function. These effects can lead to increased rashes, irritation, and reactions.

Pro Tips: How to relieve the effects of dryness and itchy skin.

1. Replenish the skin daily with essential vitamin A and antioxidants: Vitamin A is the most powerful natural promoter of natural moisturising factors, and supports the skin’s ability to produce and retain moisture. Learn more about Environ’s Essential Care Ranges and industry-leading Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM™ created to optimise the levels of essential nutrients in the skin, without the risk of irritation.
2. Introduce alpha hydroxy acids into your daily skincare routine: AHAs are natural, organic acids that promote gentle micro-exfoliation to help give the skin a softer and smoother appearance. Learn more about the powerful benefits of Focus Care Youth+ Toner and Moisture+ Night Cream.
3. Optimise hydration with powerhouse boosters: Dry or dehydrated skin conditions are best treated with dynamic blends of specialised ingredients to restore the balance of skin moisturising components as well as a healthy skin barrier function. Find out more about these best-selling Environ formulations; Focus Care Moisture+ Super Moisturiser and Hydrating Oil Capsules.

It is known that oestrogen hormones play an important role in stimulating and regulating collagen production which gives the skin its firmness, elasticity, and structural integrity. As oestrogen hormones decline, collagen production decreases. Approximately 30% of one’s collagen is lost in the first 5 years after menopause, which is a major contributor to the noticeable appearance of lines and wrinkles as well as increased skin laxity (sagging) and the significant loss of skin volume (skin cushioning). As the skin also starts to produce less and less natural hyaluronic acid, the skin may also reach a stage of dermatoporosis which is a weakness of the skin structure.

Pro Tips: How to boost collagen and improve the youthful appearance of the skin:

1. Give your skin what it needs: vitamin A. This essential skin nutrient is the most powerful promoter of healthy collagen and elastin. The more collagen you have prior to menopause, the better, so it is wise to use topical vitamin A and antioxidants starting well before reaching menopause. Environ Skincare Professionals recommend Ionzyme® Range Advanced Vitamin A Skin Science.
2. Introduce powerhouse boosters:
• Retinol Serum (Level 1/2/3) is recommended for Environ clients who want to amplify the collagen-boosting benefits of a more intensive retinoid form of vitamin A. Environ’s Concentrated Retinol Serums are recommended by Skincare Professionals to clients whose skin is already comfortable with medium to high levels of vitamin A.
• 3DSynergé™ Filler Crème is a multi-award-winning advanced formulation, inspired by two Dermal Filler techniques to target the signs of lines, wrinkles and loss of volume for skin that looks smoother, firmer, and naturally fuller.
• Revival Masque - a special combination of ingredients which makes a rapidly visible difference to the appearance of tone, texture, and hydration. Hailed as Environ’s “Face Lift in a Jar”, Revival Masque leaves the skin looking noticeably firmer, tighter, and more radiant.
3. Fast Track results with the power of Micro-Needling Technology, scientifically shown to enhance the effects of the powerhouse formulations by safely and effectively delivering up to 100 times more essential nutrients to where the skin needs it most. Environ’s Roll-CITs are medical-grade quality and meticulously designed to be safe on the skin, durable and easy-to-use.

While oestrogen typically declines during menopause, Testosterone does not. Testosterone is one of the specific hormones that regulate sebum production in the skin. A history of acne combined with the disruption of hormone balance can increase sebaceous gland activity (oiliness and congestion) which may lead to acne flare-ups experienced during menopause.

Pro Tips: How to clean, control and clear the signs of problematic skin during menopause.

Environ’s approach to control oiliness, congestion, and inflammatory effects in the skin is through topical cosmetic applications of vitamin A, antioxidants, and hydroxy acids combined with results-driven Professional Environ Cool Peel Treatments.

Environ’s Focus Care Clarity+ Range is an innovative 3-phase system offering a complete skincare solution. Each phase contains products that have been specifically formulated to target the root causes of breakouts by giving your skin exactly what it needs, where it needs it most.

Everyone, every day, is exposed to UV radiation. UV exposure, beyond what is needed to make vitamin D, always leads to cumulative damage which aggravates the changes experienced by women, particularly in menopause. In the period leading up to and during menopause, the skin in general can become more susceptible to damage due to the loss of melanocyte cells in the epidermis. This robs the skin of its natural protection.

Pro Tips: How to effectively protect your skin.

1. Did you know that vitamin A is a known powerful normaliser of melanocyte activity? Retinyl Palmitate has powerful photo-protective properties (up to SPF 20), which is why Environ’s philosophy will always promote the daily topical application of vitamin A and antioxidants so that the skin is better equipped to defend itself. Learn more about why healthy skin starts with vitamin A.
2. The more conscientious one is about sun protection before reaching menopause or even during this period, the better the chance of minimising the visible effects of photo-damage later. Applying sunscreen daily and wearing protective clothing can help prevent further damage to the skin. Learn more about why you should avoid high SPFs and Environ’s Even More Sun Care Range.

Vitamin A is the one molecule that stands out above all others in terms of its central role in skin health, and the protection against cumulative photo-damage and ageing.

The best way to prepare skin adequately for the changes during menopause is to make sure that the skin cells are rich in optimal amounts of vitamin A, antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, as well as peptides. These essential skin nutrients will help build up the collagen, elastin, and natural moisturising factors to optimal levels and stabilise the water-proofing layer of the epidermis. The richer your skin is in these essential components, the less noticeable the hormone deficiency will be during menopause. If one only starts at the time of menopause, it will take approximately 2 years to catch up, unless there is a fair amount of preceding damage – then it may take longer.

Dr. Des Fernandes (Environ Founder & Scientific Director) says, “I always recommend that women approaching menopause should boost the epidermal vitamin A levels using their recommended Environ Essential Vitamin A Ranges which will automatically supply added antioxidants, particularly the essential vitamin C and E for the skin. The aim is to acclimate the skin to higher and higher levels of vitamin A and antioxidants which is simply and effectively achieved with Environ’s Vitamin STEP-UP SYSTEM™. Learn more about Environ’s Vitamin A Skin Science Ranges.

One needs to remember that Cosmetic Micro-Needling only permeates up to 0.2 mm into the epidermis. “Women with particularly thin skin, even those prone to bruising, can safely use Environ’s Micro-Needling rollers”, says Dr Des Fernandes, world-leading Micro-Needling Specialist. In fact, by incorporating Micro-Needling into your skincare routine, especially before applying Environ’s powerhouse serums and vitamin A moisturisers, you will help the potent ingredients work harder and faster to promote more healthy-looking and resilient skin. Learn more about the Features and Benefits of Environ’s Micro-Needling Technology.

Cosmetic science cannot intercept or reverse intrinsic ageing, but using the right ingredients and professional-grade skincare products can help ensure that skin cells are at their best by the time menopause is reached. This is where Skincare Professionals can make a real, lasting difference.

By providing personalised expert recommendations on home skincare and professional treatments, trained Skincare Professionals can help make real improvements resulting from the loss of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and hydration. “All women experience unique and individual effects of menopause on the skin which makes personalised advice even more important,” says Dr Fernandes.