Menopause brings many changes, and, for most women, the skin is one of the first areas to reveal this shift. The gradual decrease in estrogen during menopause impacts not only one’s mood and energy, levels but also the health of the skin.
A key effect of this hormonal decline is epidermal atrophy—a condition where the epidermis, or top layer of skin, thins due to a reduced number of epidermal cells. This leads to the thinning and sagging of the skin. This process is accelerated in areas exposed to sunlight and gravity, such as the face, neck, and hands, where skin becomes prone to wrinkling and loss of firmness.
Estrogen is responsible for various functions, including increasing blood flow through skin capillaries. When estrogen levels decline, blood flow through the dermal capillaries declines, meaning fewer nutrients are transported to the skin’s surface.
At the heart of epidermal atrophy lies a decrease in essential compounds like collagen, elastin and hydrophilic glycosaminoglycans. Once responsible for keeping the skin plump and elastic, these elements diminish, leaving the skin dry, fragile and more vulnerable to wrinkles. In fact, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, the skin loses 30% of its collagen during the first five years of menopause.
Reduced muscle mass, poor hydration and collagen cross-linking further contribute to this ageing process, causing stiff, sagging skin that can feel unfamiliar and unsettling.
But it’s not just the skin on one’s face that is affected. Vaginal atrophy, a condition impacting up to 60% of menopausal women, is another result of estrogen decline. It refers to a condition that occurs when the vaginal walls thin, dry out and become inflamed due to a decrease in estrogen levels.
Symptoms of vaginal atrophy include dryness, irritation, pain during intercourse and feelings of discomfort. This silent epidemic often goes untreated, leaving many women without the support they need.
For the longest time, menopause was considered a taboo subject, and countless women who were going through this transitional period were left without the resources and support they needed to navigate their changing bodies. Luckily, this has started to change, and as more and more companies manufacture products to minimise the side effects of menopause, the conversation around the topic has increased.
The skin, however, is still one of the lesser-discussed parts of menopause. While menopausal women can see and feel the changes happening to their skin, many have no idea how to nourish and protect their skin during this time.
There are a few key things you can do to protect your skin as you go through menopause:
Wear a broad spectrum SPF every day
Everyone should be doing this anyway, but because menopause causes the skin to become thinner and drier, it’s essential to take the necessary steps to protect it against sunburn, sun-induced DNA damage, and discolouration.
Wash your skin with a mild cleanser
Dry skin doesn’t respond well to soap (soap can be very drying), so instead, use a mild cleanser to cleanse the skin gently.
Apply a good quality moisturiser
Apply a rich moisturiser after every shower and whenever your skin feels dehydrated during the day. Look for moisturising ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerine.
Tackle skin ageing with active ingredients
Proven anti-ageing ingredients like peptides, retinol (vitamin A), niacinamide, and vitamin C can help improve the skin’s appearance, wrinkle depth, and radiance.
Avoid skincare containing alcohol and fragrances
Menopausal skin tends to be dry and sensitive, so you should avoid using skincare products that contain ingredients that may irritate it. These include alcohol (which is extremely drying on the skin) and fragrances, which aggravate sensitivity.
What if there was a product specifically designed to support skin during menopause, one that addresses the various skincare concerns that this change of life brings?
Biomedical Emporium – a leading South African skincare developer and manufacturer – has designed a solution. Introducing Menafique, the ground-breaking new serum that’s here to restore the skin’s youthful thickness during menopause.
Menafique Serum is designed to combat menopause-induced epidermal atrophy using a powerful combination of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin E and soy isoflavones. These ingredients are known for retaining moisture, boosting collagen production, and restoring skin’s youthful thickness.
Whether it’s the delicate skin on the face or the more intimate areas impacted by menopause, Menafique Serum offers the support needed for graceful, confident ageing:
- Prevents moisture loss
- Increases skin elasticity
- Promotes hydration
- Soothes Irritated Skin
- Advanced epidermal support
For more information, visit https://www.biomedicalemporium.com/.