Summer can be a really tricky time if you’re going through the menopause. Dealing with sticky temperatures can make menopausal symptoms worse leaving you and your skin feeling hot, dry and irritated.
As we go through menopause our skin becomes much more delicate and sensitive leaving it vulnerable to environmental damage. Taking proper care of your skin during the summer months is essential to maintaining healthy, glowing skin in menopause.
What Happens to Our Skin in Menopause
The skin changes we experience in menopause are caused by declining levels of oestrogen and progesterone which are essential for collagen production. As oestrogen levels decline, collagen production slows down. This can mean big changes for our skin structure and tone.
As collagen levels decline, skin becomes drier and thinner with a weakened skin barrier. Cell turnover slows rapidly, and skin starts to lose its ability to hold onto water, appearing less plump and radiant. Skin can also become more sensitive and prone to irritation. Hormonal imbalances can trigger breakouts, flushing and inflammation.
And In Summer?
Because menopause directly affects the skin by making it much more sensitive with a weakened skin barrier, the risk of damage in summer is much greater for menopausal skin. Damage from UV radiation is the biggest cause of damage to healthy skin and the risk of damage increases in menopause because skin is so much weaker.
As our hormones change, our skin also starts to lose it’s ability to hold onto moisture so it dehydrates much more easily. High temperatures in the summer months can dry out your skin even more leaving it dehydrated, dull and lacking in moisture. It’s really important to make changes to your skincare routine in the summer months to protect skin and counter the effects of menopause and the heat.
1. SPF, SFP, SPF
Wearing high factor SPF is THE most important thing you can do to protect your skin all year round, whatever the weather especially when your skin barrier is weakened by menopause. Dermatologists recommend that you use a separate high factor SPF as the last step in your skincare routine rather than a moisturiser with an SPF included in the formula. Why? - it should be the final step in your skincare regime, on top of moisturiser. Sunscreen is not an ingredient. It's meant to sit on top of the skin to act as a defence between your face and the sun. It isn't meant to penetrate the skin, because it's supposed to block out all those harmful UV rays. Moisturizers, on the other hand, are the opposite; their purpose is to penetrate the skin, adding moisture that wasn't already there. Adding SPF to a moisturiser formulation dilutes its effectiveness and won't give you high enough protection. We recommend using a fragrance free SPF with factor 50 designed for use on face.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
You need to hydrate your skin from the inside out to guard against dehydration in the summer months. Dehydration makes many menopausal symptoms worse including hot flushes, anxiety, and skin dryness. The ingredient you need to restore lost hydration is hyaluronic acid – a super hydrator that can bind up to 1,000 its weight in water locking water into the skin to restore that plump, dewy look. Not all hyaluronic acid products are created equal though – to get maximum skin hydration you need a formulation with different types and sizes of hyaluronic acid. Our QUENCH & SOOTHE SERUM is formulated with 3 different types of hyaluronic acid to deliver an intense hydration boost to skin. Smaller sized molecules of hyaluronic acid penetrate the skin’s layers to intensively hydrate at a deeper level. Larger molecules work on the to the surface level of the skin for an instant smoothing and firming effect.
QUENCH & SOOTHE SERUM also contains skin soothing and barrier-boosting niacinamide to help calm any irritation or inflammation so it’s perfect for summer skin if you are also dealing with menopause. Try applying onto damp skin as it helps the ingredients absorb better and get to work faster.
In menopause, an inside-out approach is best. Aim to drink at least 2 litres of water a day to stay hydrated– it’s best to sip it slowly throughout the day.
3. Avoid irritating skincare ingredients
Because your skin is more prone to sensitivity and dryness as you approach menopause, it’s important to avoid anything that is likely to irritate skin, especially in summer. Living M Skincare has been formulated without any ingredients that are known to irritate skin such fragrance, essential oils, drying alcohols, and sulphates. These ingredients are in many skincare products, but they are best avoided in menopause or for anyone with any kind of skin sensitivity.
4. Invest in a great moisturiser
Dry skin is the hallmark of menopausal skin. It’s the number one skin complaint we hear from our customers and hot summer temperatures can dry out your skin even more. In menopause, a great moisturiser is one of the best investments you can make for your skin. What has worked for your skin in the past probably isn’t going to be enough to treat the level of dryness you experience in menopause, especially in the summer. Living M COLLAGEN BOOST MOISTURISER has been specifically designed to combat this increased skin dryness in one multi-benefit formulation. Containing a potent blend of collagen boosting peptides, phytoestrogens, and protective antioxidants it also contains nourishing natural butters avocado and cupuacu. These natural super-moisturisers are jam packed with fatty acids that deeply moisturise, protect and heal skin – perfect for combatting the effects of summer and the menopause.
Make sure your moisturiser contains antioxidants to protect skin against environmental damage. COLLAGEN BOOST MOISTURISER contains Resveratrol - found in the skin of red grapes its one of the most effective antioxidants in skincare. It works to help reverse signs of previous cellular damage, protect against future damage, boost radiance, and improve skin’s hydration levels.
You can get great skin in menopause even in the summer. It just takes a targeted approach and the right skincare regime for healthy glowing summer skin.
Living M is a highly effective two step daily skincare system specifically designed for the unique needs of perimenopausal and menopausal skin. Try The Perfect Pair - Collagen Boost Moisturiser and Quench & Soothe Serum for everything your skin needs in an easy-to-use daily skincare duo. Use AM and PM for firmer, plumper skin that glows. The Perfect Pair £64.00 (Save 20%. £80 when sold separately).
