Skincare can be confusing – with so many products, ingredients and steps to choose from it can be hard to know what is really going to work. Throw midlife skin changes into the mix and things and it can seem even more complicated.
That’s why we created Living M – to simplify your regime with all the ingredients and products you need for the perfect skincare routine in menopause. One question we get asked a lot is “do I need a serum?”. If you are looking for serious results in midlife, think of a serum as the powerhouse of your routine. If you aren’t already using one, now is the time to start but choosing the right formula is key for glowing, healthy skin.
Understanding Menopausal Skin Changes
To appreciate the importance of serums in midlife, it’s important to know what is happening to our skin. Fluctuating hormones have a dramatic effect on the condition of our skin.
Decreased Collagen Production: Collagen, the protein responsible for skin’s firmness and elasticity diminishes around menopause. We lose 30% of collagen in the first 5 years following menopause. Skin becomes less elastic and firm as a result.
Dryness and Sensitivity: Hormonal changes can lead to reduced oil production, making the skin dry and more sensitive as it loses its ability to hold onto moisture.
Loss of Radiance: As collagen declines, our skin tone starts to suffer appearing less radiant – many women complain of losing their glow as skin starts to become drier and less elastic.
Thinning Skin: The skin's layers become thinner, which can make it more fragile and prone to damage.
Hyperpigmentation: Age spots and uneven skin tone can become more pronounced due to changes in melanin production.
The Power of A Serum in Menopause
Serums are lightweight, fast-absorbing liquids designed to deliver high concentrations of active ingredients directly to the skin. Here’s why serums are particularly beneficial around midlife, when our hormones start to wreak havoc with our skin.
Intense Hydration
As the skin becomes drier during menopause, it’s crucial to keep it well-hydrated. Serums containing hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000 times their weight in water, providing deep hydration and helping to maintain the skin’s moisture balance. This can alleviate dryness and improve skin texture.
Boosting Collagen Production
Ingredients like niacinamide can stimulate collagen production. By promoting the synthesis of new collagen, these serums help reduce the appearance of fine lines and restore firmness and elasticity to the skin.
Enhanced Absorption of Active Ingredients
Serums have a smaller molecular structure compared to moisturisers, allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin. This makes them highly effective in delivering potent ingredients like antioxidants and vitamins to the targeted areas that need them the most.
Targeted Treatment
Whether you're dealing with age spots, dullness, or loss of firmness, a serum can address your specific concerns. Niacinamide can brighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation, while antioxidants protect against environmental damage.
Choosing the Right Serum
When selecting a serum for menopausal skin, the following ingredients are key:
Hyaluronic Acid: For deep hydration and plumping of the skin.
Niacinamide: To brighten skin and boost glow without irritation. Niacinamide also improves skin elasticity and strengthen the skin barrier
Vitamin B5: To soothe and calm skin any sensitivity.
Our QUENCH & SOOTHE SERUM is intelligently formulated with all 3 of these superstar ingredients for brighter, hydrated, clearer skin that glows. We have included 3 different weights of muti-molecular hyaluronic to deliver immediate and long-lasting hydration to skin. Niacinamide works to boost collagen production, brighten skin tone, strengthen skin’s natural barrier and soothe any inflammation. Vitamin B5 keeps skin soft, supple and hydrated. It’s the perfect choice for restoring that plump, dewy look to skin.
Incorporating Your Serum into Your Routine
To maximize the benefits your serum, follow these steps to build the perfect skincare routine in midlife:
1. Cleanse: Start with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities and prepare your skin. Living M 2-in-1 Cream Cleanser and Mask is a luxurious super-nourishing cleanser and mask in one luxurious product that gently cleanses removing make up and impurities without drying skin.
2. Apply Serum: Use a few drops of serum on clean skin, gently patting it in with your fingertips. Top Tip – apply QUENCH & SOOTHE SERUM to slightly damp skin .
3. Moisturize: Follow up with a moisturizer to lock in hydration. COLLAGEN BOOST MOISTURISER is a powerhouse moisturiser that complements QUENCH & SOOTHE SERUM perfectly. With collagen-boosting peptides and resveratrol it also relieves skin dryness with avocado and capuacu butters.
4. Sun Protection: Always apply sunscreen during the day to protect your skin from UV damage. We recommend SPF 505
5. Overnight: If you aren’t already using a retinol, now is the time to start – it’s the gold standards for ageing well and can transform your skin in midlife.
LIVING M SUPER A RETINOL SLEEP CREAM contains 3 x skin strengthening ceramides and multi-molecular hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and intensely hydrate.
