Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing’s as certain as death and taxes.
Menopause
offers the same certainty, as well as the dread. For good reason, too.
From cliched hot flushes to mood swings, many of us have a vague understanding of the side effects of menopause, but little information is available about how our hormones can wreak havoc and accelerate the ageing process.
Two-thirds of women report a lack of support and understanding around the menopause, particularly within the beauty industry, where there’s a one-size-fits-all approach to anti-ageing.
It’s enough to make menopausal women – and there are 13,000,000 of us here in the UK alone – feel invisible.
That’s why, at Science To Skin, we are committed to giving you the exact information and tools you need to regain skin confidence and a healthy glow during menopause.
The Three Phases of Menopause
The average age for onset menopause is 51, with most women’s periods ceasing between the ages of 45 and 55.
Before the menopause, your body will become perimenopausal. Your ovaries are producing ever-reducing amounts of oestrogen until they cease releasing eggs – triggering menopause and the end of periods.
Post - menopause offers some relief as most symptoms have subsided. But, your oestrogen has, too. This leads to an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.
Changing hormones and your skin
While many of us thought our days of spots and patchy skin were long gone, the hormonal tidal wave that accompanies the stages of menopause can make us feel like awkward teenagers again. (And never for the right reason.)
Our skin, like our bodies, is rapidly changing – inside and out. Our oestrogen levels are dropping while our testosterone levels are rising – increasing the risk of skin breakouts and dull, dry complexions.
Declining oestrogen and collagen production
To understand this better, we first need to look at the crucial role the oestrogen plays in the production of collagen.
Reduced oestrogen inhibits your body’s ability to produce collagen. This protein plays a significant role in ensuring your skin’s strength, texture and elasticity.
Collagen production reduces by approximately 1% annually prior to the menopause, dramatically increasing when menopause is triggered. During a five-year period, a woman’s collagen production will decrease by as much as 30%.
Combined with skin dryness, this accelerates the ageing process – increasing the appearance of sagging, fine lines and wrinkles.
Menopause: what to expect from your skin?
No two menopause experiences are the same, as the results of a recent study of menopausal women in the UK revealed.
Increase in dry skin during the menopause, having a significant impact on their complexion (47%)
Increase in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (45%)
A duller complexion (27%)
Make-up now doesn’t sit as well on the skin (14%)
Physical changes like these have been shown to have a mental impact on women. While 46% report that it’s rocked their confidence, 92% feel unable to go to a professional for help.
BUT - IT DOESN't HAVE TO BE THIS WAY ..
Menopause is challenging enough, without having to worry about how it will change your skin, too. Our products are targeted to women over 40. It’s not ageism. Just an understanding that our skincare requirements change as we age and its important to change our habits in line with this.
Topical Systems for Pro Ageing & Cell Health
Designed around the needs of menopausal women
Our selected skincare ranges help you get your glow back
Truth Treatments products are the perfect pro ageing skin healthcare system. The key ingredients, target and support the typical signs of ageing, formulations are based on the biochemistry of the skin. The products are developed to support the natural skin cell and to activate fibroblasts, stimulation of proteins and enhance the production of extracellular lipids. These products don't change skin chemistry - they support it.
Signs of ageing, including fine lines and wrinkles, and a loss of firmness or elasticity are caused by a slowing or breakdown in the skin's reparative processes. As we age, intrinsic ageing factors result in the slowed down function of sebum and oil and decreased production of collagen, elastin and hydration. These changes result in thinned, dry and fragile skin more prone to lines, wrinkles and sagging - referred to as chronological ageing is responsible for around 20% of ageing, and of course the fall in oestrogen production during menopause and beyond makes a significant contribution to the process.
Key Ingredients to target :
Lipophilic Vitamin C – boosts the production of Collagen, Elastin and Natural Moisture Factors and help reverse the signs of ageing.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid – Gentle exfoliation which smooths skin texture and stimulates skin for a healthy, vibrant glow.
Retinol – Stimulates collagen and elastin production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
As if that wasn't enough it's estimated that a quarter of women in their forties and 15% of women aged 50 or older suffer from problem skin - suffering from breakouts and acne during menopause is a comon issue. Just like puberty, hormonal fluctuations are mainly to blame. Androgens can overstimulate oil glands and clog hair topicals, this this imbalance can lead to acne. Dermatologists are finding that instances of acne in older women have been increasing for the last 10 - 20 years, with women often battling with breakouts for the first time as they reach middle-age.
Learn move about the implications of Acne during menopause from Truth Treatment Systems founder Benjamin Knight Fuchs - Registered Pharmacist, nutritionist and skin care chemist.
Learn more about Ben and Truth Treatment Systems
The rejuvenating JunéCell range, we bring to you from biotech beauty pioneers DraCell, provides the perfect antidote to this skin stress. Every product in the range benefits from the DCCM® serum. Developed from 25 years of biotech research, it’s proven to stimulate collagen growth, repair elastin and boost activity in your dermal (skin) stem cells.
Active ingredients include:
Peptide-6 stimulates the skin to produce more collagen, minimising the appearance of wrinkles, while increasing elasticity and resilience.
Vitamin B3 (Nicinamide), inhibits melanin from surfacing to the skin. The result? Skin that’s brighter and more even in tone.
Squalene gives your skin the hydration it needs, ensuring it not only looks supple, but feels it, too.
Hawaiian Deep Sea Water is rich in minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium and regenerates your skin, while providing anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects.
Learn more about the background and science of JunéCell.
Key Recommended Products
All the products we offer have been chosen with the intention of addressing the skin health needs of women over 40.
However we wanted to highlight some key products that are exceptional at supporting you through menopause, especially the skin health systems, but of course feel free to explore our many other options and don't forget our devices, tools and accessories !
We do offer spread payment options at check out and UK FREE delivery