Menopause is a phase in which many hormonal changes occur in your physical and psychological conditions. Physiology of your skin undergoes variations due to these two basic factors.
Some of the most common symptoms are oily skin, growth of facial hair, wrinkles formation, skin shrinking, loss of collagen, damaged epidermis layer, pigmentation and appearance of hot skin flashes. The intensity of these conditions may vary depending on your skin type, texture and tone.
In this section you can read about some of these probable symptoms, causes and treatment methods. Many of them may appear during menstrual cycles and go away, while some symptoms may persist after menopause also. You need to consult your gynaecologist and take her advice before implementing any of the homemade remedies discussed here.
Menopause Skin Care Tips
Skin warming with increased sweating could be a probable symptom that appears in most women during this cycle. B-Estradiol, one of the essential elements keeping the skin youthful starts decreasing in volume. It leads to premature skin aging at 40+. Amount of estrogens also significantly drops leading to significant changes in skin condition.
Oily Skin
Oily skin is a symptom which can occur just before menopause. Sebum starts producing higher density oil which is said to be the main cause. An immediate and temporary treatment is to thin the oil with the help of antioxidants like apple cider vinegar, Aloe Vera, Eucalyptus oil or turmeric powder.
- You need to take one teaspoon of any of them, add with one teaspoon of lemon syrup and one teaspoon of tea tree oil.
- Mix them well and apply on your skin affected by oily conditions.
- Wash after 30 minutes with warm water.
Relatively longer solution could be obtained through controlling the activity of sebum, which can be done with vitamin C serum liquid or capsule. Consult your dermatologist and take one capsule every day.
The excretion of dense oil by sebum could be controlled within a week or two. This could be helpful when oily skin continues to pose problems in the post menopause period also.
Hair Growth On Face
Facial hair above the upper lip and chin areas is common among many women during menopause. You can use a natural hair remover to temporarily get relief. In case it repeats during every monthly cycle your dermatologist or gynaecologist could give you long lasting solution.
At home you can apply a paste made from Indian female ginseng powder and turmeric powder by mixing one teaspoon in two teaspoons of lemon syrup. It helps in thinning of hair follicles in these two regions over a period of time.
Skin Wrinkles
Skin wrinkles may appear anywhere on your face, hands, palm, neck, back, legs and rest of your body. Skin gets dry and dead skin layer forms. The remedial solution needs to address all these aspects. Some of the natural ingredients you can use for wrinkles removal are:
- Skin-mask with rose clay, essential oils, honey and Aloe Vera gel. Take 1 cup of rose clay and add two teaspoons of lavender, jasmine and patchouli essential oils. Add one teaspoon of honey, vitamin E oil and Aloe Vera liquid. Mix them with 1 cup of cream milk into a moderately thick paste. Apply on your face and those parts of skin affected by wrinkles. Let it soak your skin until the paste becomes dry and wash off with warm water.
- Glutathione is one form of peptide used for reducing skin wrinkles. It is an antioxidant, moisturizer and enhances the production of collagen. It has to be applied with glycolic acid which a carrier that penetrates into the deeper skin layers due to its molecular structure. Add two teaspoons of glutathione, one teaspoon of glycolic acid, one teaspoon of rose essential oil, and Aloe Vera liquid. Heat till the ingredients mix well. Cool to room temperature and apply on skin areas affected by wrinkles. Let the liquid soak your skin until it becomes soft. Wash with warm water.
- Drink plenty of pure water and fruit juices. Vitamin C and E foods are absolutely necessary. Avoid hard types of alcoholic beverages during your treatment period. Red wine could be helpful of you are free from alcoholic and acidic conditions.
Loss of Collagen
Sudden drop in the production of collagen can result in loose skin layers and shrunk skin. Skin gets dry faster. It becomes dull and looks lifeless. Main cause is said to be dehydration and hormonal imbalance.
Hydration of skin could be done with water and essential fluids (like fruit juices, basil leaf soaked water, Guggul liquid etc) consumption.
Applying vitamin C serum with glycolic acid (equal proportions) mix can help in regeneration of collagen. Glycolic acid can help vitamin C penetrate the skin layers till the bone marrow which happens to be one of the regions which produces collagen.
Thinning of Epidermis Layer
Epidermis layer of your skin thins due to nutrients and vitamin deficiency. It could lead to dehydration from water and fluids loss.
It can be prevented by:
- Enhance the supply of nutrients and vitamins through foods. Natural minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron rich foods are essential.
- Avoid smoking and restrict your alcohol intake to red wine (if it suits you).
- Stop using chemical or synthetic based toiletries and makeup temporarily.
- Regularly hydrate your top skin layer with paste of honey, sandalwood powder and basil oil mix in equal proportions.
Skin Care After Menopause
Most of the menopause skin related symptoms go away after the cycles due to homemade treatments or by themselves. However some may remain persistent after menopause cycles also. These are recurring skin problems like rashes, acne, dermatitis etc. You need to consult your skin specialist and take the appropriate treatment in order to overcome such skin conditions.
Best Skin Care for Menopausal Acne
Preventive care with Aloe Vera, Lavender essential oil, turmeric oil and Indian female ginseng can act as best organic types of skin care for menopause. Homemade recipes keep your skin relatively free from negative side effects.