Skincare for The Menopause

It seems we're in the midst of a 'Menopause Revolution' with a seismic shift in the media to lots of open discussion about this life stage, and with many high-profile celebrities sharing their own experiences. This in turn has led to the skincare industry taking note and developing products specifically for this time of life. Because let's face it, along with all the other peri-menopausal and menopausal symptoms that a Google search can throw at you, your skin can definitely go a bit haywire!

Perhaps it's feeling very dry and tight. Or a little sensitive and irritated? Or maybe you're suddenly dealing with acne (when you never had it the first time round)! Any of these skin changes could be due to the menopause or the peri-menopause. Decreasing oestrogen levels are accompanied by a reduction in collagen, which leads to skin sagging and becoming thinner, and developing more wrinkles. Add to that, a decrease in oil production as well as hyaluronic acid in the skin which means it becomes much drier - and often itchy too! - along with a sensitivity to the sun, which increases the prevalence of hyperpigmentation and sun spots, and finally shifting hormones, that lead many women to experience the emergence of spots.

Of course, there are certain skincare steps that you can follow to help your skin out during this time:

1. Be diligent about sunscreen and apply it daily.

2. Use skincare that contains peptides, to stimulate collagen production.

3. Keep dry skin moisturised with products containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin.

4. Treat hormonal acne with a retinoid and/or a chemical exfoliant such as salicylic acid.

And here's our VeryMakeupMad round up of the best products on the market, specifically designed for peri-menopausal, menopausal and post-menopausal skin. These guys guarantee to deal with all of your skin woes:

Lixirskin Night Switch Phytoestrogen & Peptide - we love this “Less is More" skincare brand and the focus on switching up ingredients and products every few weeks. Night Switch Phytoestrogen & Peptide is a lightweight serum that deals brilliantly with a lack of skin density and crepey texture, plus lines and wrinkles. Simply mix a couple of drops with the brand's Universal Emulsion cream and apply every night for impressive results. (Use code VMM15 for 15% off).

Vichy Neovadiol Meno 5 Bi Serum - Vichy has spent well over a decade researching hormonal ageing on the skin, and the result is the Neovadiol range. We love this serum which tackles dullness, uneven tone and texture, and dryness. It's a very liquid formula that smells delicious and absorbs beautifully into the skin leaving it feeling incredibly soft, supple and hydrated and looking more radiant and youthful.

No7 Menopause Skincare Instant Radiance Serum - this range was five years in the making and was developed with dermatologists and in conjunction with researchers at the University of Manchester. The hero product is the radiance serum which improves the appearance of dull, dry, collagen depleted skin in just one week. We love the cooling rollerball applicator which helps to soothe and refresh hot skin.

_faace Menopause Mask - a no nonsense, British brand, with great, fuss-free products, this antioxidant packed cream mask deals with a lack of collagen and firmness, and boosts skin's moisture levels. The beauty of this mask is its versatility - you can apply a thin layer and use as a primer before makeup, or apply a thick layer and use as a treatment mask - for just a few minutes or even overnight. And for every sale of this product, there's a donation to The Menopause Charity.

Korres Meno-Reverse Ultra Replenishing Deep Wrinkle Cream - Korres has harnessed the power of White Pine trees in its Meno-Reverse range, targeted at post-menopausal skin. This tree contains powerful polyphenols that boost collagen production, improve skin's elasticity, and deal with the loss of volume and moisture. This ultra-rich cream leaves skin feeling firmer, more supple and hydrated and looking revitalised.

Indeed Labs me-NO-pause Restorative Cream - an intensely nourishing cream, this daily moisturiser (which won't break the bank!) uses a combination of natural plant extracts and anti-ageing ingredients to minimise the appearance of wrinkles and improve elasticity, hydration and skin thinning. It's a great bet for dry, flaky skin, locking in moisture to leave it feeling smoother and softer and looking more radiant.

Prai Meno-Glow Sleep Cream - it may be that your night cream is no longer 'cutting it' and you're waking up feeling drier than you used to. Overnight moisture loss is a common challenge during the menopause, due to dips in oestrogen and night sweats. This lovely cream - from a brand that's dedicated to treating sensitive skin - promises to soothe, plump and hydrate skin and help keep it looking firm and plump.

Skin+Me Menopausal Treatment - this online prescription skincare company was set up by dermatologists, and makes use of ingredients that only they, as medical professionals, can prescribe. The Menopausal Treatment is the latest addition to their range of 'daily dosers' - a night time treatment designed specifically for you and delivering just the right amount of product you need. This treatment typically contains niacinamide to boost collagen and treat pigmentation, Azelaic acid for skin texture, and Tretinoin to target fine lines.

As always, please get in touch for any further information or for a personalised VMM recommendation. And remember to use our 20% discount code VERYMAKEUPMAD20 when shopping online at LookFantastic.

Love Vikki & Mala x