How to support your skin through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond
Attention b Theory beauties! It is time to talk about aging. Forget the terms “anti-aging”, “age-defying”, and “aging gracefully” - we are here to help you age beautifully, boldly and brilliantly! Aging is a privilege and aging is living. Stepping into the fullness of our wisdom, intelligence, and fierceness is what is needed for these times. We are incredibly encouraged by all of the new information coming out about the changes to women’s bodies, minds and spirits as we enter our 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond. We are cheering on the women physicians who are on the front lines ensuring that we have access to appropriate healthcare, information about hormone replacement, and properly trained medical providers who understand the unique changes that women go through during this dynamic part of our lives.
The changes that happen naturally during the aging process do not make us less valuable to the world - the world needs our grit, determination and resilience. The “signs” of the aging process show lives well-lived with laughter, days in the sun, and unbelievable strength that has helped us navigate all of life’s challenges, including for many, illness, loss and grief. We get these amazing surges of creativity, inspiration and courage during this phase of life that can lead many of us to change careers, let go of unhealthy habits and relationships, and discover untapped potential. And we get to nap, rest and prioritize selfcare, because we need it!
During the natural aging process our skin will undergo numerous changes due to environmental effects, lifestyle and nutrition choices, and shifts in hormone levels.
The decrease in estrogen and progesterone production results in the following:
Decreased circulation - impacts the amount of nutrients feeding the skin to support its health, along with the delivery of collagen and elastin, the building blocks of our skin.
Loss of firmness and plumpness in the skin - resulting in fine lines, deeper wrinkles, and thinner skin. Not only is the appearance of the skin changed, but thinning of the skin results in drier, more inflamed and oftentimes more sensitive/sensitized skin. The skin is more vulnerable to sun damage, environmental stressors and wounding.
Cellular turnover and renewal slows down, leaving our skin drier, duller and more susceptible to hormonal breakouts and other skin conditions.
Loss of fat within the layers of the skin, resulting in sagging and lax skin.
Increased areas of darker pigmentation and the surfacing of visible sun damage from exposure years ago.
Changes in gut health, leading to poor nutrient absorption, increased inflammation and numerous visible skin conditions including hormonal breakouts, rosacea/redness, and loss of healthy glow.
Additional factors that impact the health of our skin during perimenopause and menopause which lead to increased sensitivity, redness, wrinkles and fine lines, include:
Stress - increases the level of cortisol in our bodies, triggering inflammation which breaks down the production of proteins needed to keep our skin firm and radiant. It also impacts healthy circulation of vital nutrients in our bloodstream.
Poor sleep or lack of sleep - similar to stress, it increases the level of cortisol in our bodies, triggering inflammation which breaks down the production of proteins needed to keep our skin firm and radiant.
Sun exposure - UV exposure causes brown spots, scaly and crusty lesions/areas, increased/darker pigmentation, broken capillaries and overly dry skin.
Dehydration - our skin is 80% water - keep it hydrated.
Repetitive facial movements and facial expressions - moving our face is completely natural, but repeated and intense expressions may have lasting effects. Our facial muscles become tighter and tenser with worry, smiling (though we need as much of this as we can get!), frowning, and increased technology use where we spend hours a day looking down - think “tech neck”.
Smoking or vaping reduces blood flow to the skin resulting in death of the cells.
Alcohol consumption - increases blood sugar levels, creates inflammation in the body, increases redness in the skin and is very dehydrating.
While this list may elevate your cortisol levels, please take a deep breath and know that there is much that we can do to protect the health of our skin and our overall health during perimenopause and menopause that will keep our skin radiant and healthy, our bones strong, and our blood sugar and blood pressure regulated.
Here’s what we can do to support our skin’s health during these transitions in life:
Move more - movement increases circulation and brings more nutrients, oxygen, collagen and elastin into the layers of our skin. It also increases lymphatic flow, helping our skin to detoxify. Facial massage, walking, yoga, weight bearing exercises and treatments such as manual lymphatic drainage boost the health and appearance of our skin (along with the rest of our body!).
Wear SPF 30 every day (year-round), and reapply every 2 hours when outside.
Use skincare products that contain collagen stimulating peptides to support the body’s production of these essential building blocks.
Eat nourishing foods, plenty of fiber and abundant healthy fats. Eliminate inflammatory foods that contain processed ingredients, unhealthy fats and excessive sugar.
Layer your skin with ingredients that support and strengthen your skin’s barrier function including hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, aloe vera, shea butter, green tea, and niacinamide.
Exfoliate your skin twice a week with a gentle, enzyme-based formula.
Treat hormonal breakouts and uneven skin texture with serums including mandelic acid and retinaldehyde.
Use an LED light regularly to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, and reduce inflammation in the skin.
Nurture your skin with weekly treatment masques - these concentrated formulas improve hydration, reduce redness, improve the appearance of pigmentation and increase overall firmness and elasticity.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate - drink plenty of filtered water. Enjoy herbal tea and green tea daily - keep in mind they are delicious both hot and cold!
Breathe and play - release stress through breathwork, meditation, mindfulness practices and enjoy your favorite hobbies and activities frequently.
At b Theory, we are committed to educating our clients about their unique, individual skincare needs. Please know that you are not alone as you begin to see the changes happening in your skin during the aging process. We are here to assess the health of your skin, to curate a treatment plan and at-home skincare routine that will help you achieve your skincare goals. We offer numerous holistic options including botanical peel series, dermaplaning, microneedling, LED light therapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Gua Sha treatments to help your skin look and feel its absolute best at every age.