Menopause Vs Your Skin

By Kirsti Shuba

The menopause is nothing new. Talking openly about it is a hot topic. As your hormones ebb and flow (or peak and crash). You’ll experience anything from hot flushes to moments of low mood and anxiety. But what is spoken about less is how the menopause years affect your skin?

If you missed our Masterclass ‘Living the menopausal years and loving the skin you're in.’ We’ve put pen to paper to bring you some of the key points which we chatted through with our audience.

Fact -: Menopause usually occurs between 45 and 55 years.

The first stage is perimenopause (peri means around, or about). This is when you may notice the onset of some characteristics of menopause showing in/on your skin.

How the perimenopause years affect your skin.

These characteristics may include; increased sensitivity, dryness, dehydration, skin thinning, changes in colour and texture, skin breakouts and increase in facial hair growth.

With so much happening within you, it's easy to lose sight of what your skin is crying out for. It's easy to look at the multi-symptoms of your skin and try to treat these all together, all at once. But instead, and what is more effective is to treat the cause of the problems first.

Avoid skin confusion.

While the cause is the huge shift in hormones (sorry, we can’t treat your hormones). You must think logically to avoid sending mixed messages to your skin and causing skin confusion. This will lead to problems which wouldn’t have occurred if your skin was cared for correctly.

During perimenopause, you should treat the basic functions of your skin. To keep it in the best working order. Give in abundance the one thing that all living cells need - that’s hydration. Because the drop in oestrogen levels affect your skins’ ability to stay hydrated.

We also know that skin dryness is a characteristic to look out for. With lower levels of oil and water within your skin. It's likely that your skin barrier becomes damaged (your skin barrier is on the surface and keeps the ‘good stuff’ in (the good stuff is oil and water). It keeps the ‘bad stuff’ out (bacteria, dirt and pollution particles).

Rebuilding your skin barrier is like patching up and waterproofing a well-loved umbrella.

Firstly, we need to rebuild your skin barrier. Like patching up and waterproofing a well-loved umbrella. Then we increase the hydration levels within your skin. As well as boosting the oil levels. Now we can work on your skins’ ability to produce its own oil and water.

Helping your skin function efficiently for itself, is most important.

Yes, the function will be less than that of a ‘younger you,’ but it will be much better than that of someone who is trying to treat all the visible symptoms of their skin, in one foul swoop during perimenopause.

Treat your skin first.

Treat your skin rather than the symptoms. Once your skin is working well for itself it will be more responsive to all treatment and ingredients that you offer it. It will be less likely to become sensitive and show symptoms of a sensitive skin. Throwing mixed messages via conflicting ingredients is sure to create skin confusion. The outcome includes congestion, excess oil and breakouts. Or redness, breakouts and sensitivity.

In time we will treat the symptoms. The things you see when you look in the mirror. We can address the ‘traditional’ signs of skin ageing. Your skin will be better accepting and able to use skincare ingredients more efficiently. Delivering the best results.

Katherine Daniels products to help you sail through perimenopause.

How the menopause years affect your skin.

Following our skincare advice throughout your perimenopause years will serve you well. It sets you up for less issues in later years. Yes, your skin will continue to change, but this will be less drastic, less noticeable.

But for those who join us after perimenopause. This is what happens to your skin.

As you advance to true menopause, your skin’s ability to produce collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid diminishes sharply. This will result in accentuated lines and wrinkles as your skin becomes drier and thinner. In addition, your body’s ability to make and retain antioxidants is negligible, which will result in a dull sluggish complexion. Antioxidants are your natural defence against the scavengers known as free radicals. These are responsible for the demise of healthy cells (Reactive Oxidative Stress).

Providing you have prepared, strengthened and plumped your skin beforehand; you can now introduce specific products ingredients to treat the symptoms of your skin which you see in the mirror. Maybe you want to treat the signs of skin ageing, maybe its skin sensitivity and high colour that bothers you the most.

Getting the biggest results.

To get the biggest results against the signs of ageing, you will need to introduce peptides. These will stimulate your skin’s youth mechanisms. Add in powerful antioxidants to your skin and fight the global signs of ageing. These include lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

Your skin will benefit from:

Alternate your perimenopause products with your menopause products to keep your skin strong, healthy and in top condition through menopause and beyond.

How post menopause affect your skin.

During this time, you may notice the shape of your face changing. It’s like the skin on your face seems a little ‘too big,’ resulting in skin sagging or slackening.

This happens as the muscles which are attached to your skin lose their tone and volume, you’re muscles diminish. Your skin lacks structure and sags. In addition, there’s also bone shrinkage, which can be seen as hollowness around your eyes. Your jawline becomes less pronounced and your face structure loses its youthful definition.

Providing you have looked after your skin as described in the perimenopause and menopause, these changes may not be as visible in your skin. However, you can still help yourself by using a good routine. Self-help, such as facial exercises. These help in many ways, increasing circulation, toning your muscles. (Your bone strength improves with good muscle tone).

As with any exercise, always start with 2-3 minutes a day and build up to around 10 minutes over a period of four weeks.

We would love to help you sail through your ‘M-Years’ and help you love the skin you’re in.

Our help is on hand at our Virtual Skin Bar. Join our Co-Founder Donna Tait for a virtual 1-2-1 session. Donna will help you beat the heat, ditch the itch, and slow the glow, which are all tell tale signs of menopausal skin.

Your bespoke skincare routine along with your prescription will be created. One which fits into your lifestyle and helps you achieve ‘Better Skin for Life.’

All you need is 20 minutes, a computer, phone, or tablet.

Book your Virtual Skin Bar appointment here.

With love

As the cold months roll in it's easy to think SPF can take a backseat in your skincare routine. But Daily DNA Defence SPF30 is much more than just a sunscreen, it’s your final coat of skin armour, it’s weather protection for your skin.

Our award-winning, broad-spectrum SPF protects your skin from more than just UV rays. It guards against environmental pollutants and blue light
emitted from your screens. Meanwhile, winter’s cold air, winds and rain can damage your skin barrier.

During and after exposure to the elements, Daily DNA Defence protects and repairs your cells DNA.

And more than this, it’s the best make-up primer. Talk about a multi-tasking product! Its lightweight formula sits comfortably under your foundation, ensuring your make-up stays fresh and stays ‘put’ all day.

Keep reading as we deep dive into the benefits of Daily DNA Defence SPF30 and why it’s an essential part of your winter skincare regime.

Broad-spectrum, photostable protection with Daily DNA Defence SPF30

Not all SPF products are created equal, Daily DNA Defence SPF30 offers broad-spectrum protection. This means that it shields your skin from both UVA rays (the ones that age your skin) and UVB rays (the ones that burn your skin). If your moisturiser or foundation contains an SPF it’s worth checking, make sure you’re covered for both UVA and UVB. Many of those products only protect against UVB, leaving your skin vulnerable to the long-term damage caused by UVA rays.

I’m guessing that you follow your daily skincare regime to promote skin health and to keep your skin looking great for your age? Using Daily DNA Defence SPF30 will help you avoid undoing all that effort by providing the UVA protection your skin truly needs.

And here's the bonus: our SPF is photostable, meaning it won’t break down or lose effectiveness in the sun. However, if you're by the pool make sure to reapply every two hours as water, sweat and towel drying can remove it, leaving your skin vulnerable.

Blue light and pollution protection

In today’s world, your skin is up against more than just the sun. Daily DNA Defence SPF30 also shields your skin from two often overlooked threats: blue light and pollution.

Blue light, mainly from our smart devices and pollution in the atmosphere. Blue light and pollution trigger changes in your skin cells, even leading to cell death. Unprotected exposure to these will lead to hyperpigmentation and can damage your skin’s health. Most blue light comes from smart technology, which is used daily by most of us. Pollution is all around; levels are higher in towns and cities all year.

DNA Defence and Repair: protecting your skin at the cellular level

When your skin is exposed to radiation it faces more than just surface damage, your cells DNA is at risk. Daily DNA Defence SPF30 acts like a "virtual parasol," shielding your cells during exposure to harmful rays. But the protection doesn’t stop there. After exposure, your body naturally works to repair DNA damage. Your cells naturally produce an enzyme which kickstarts the repair process of your DNA. Thanks to the powerful repairing ingredients in our formula this process is accelerated up to 100 times, meaning your skin recovers faster, stays healthier and sustains less long term damage.

In summary, wear Daily DNA Defence SPF30 as your final coat of skin armour each day in all seasons and you can rest assured you’re doing your best to protect your skin.

Magical make-up priming

We know that finding the perfect daily SPF texture is a challenge. We’ve been there too. Most SPFs feel like a layer too many, leaving skin feeling greasy, heavy or cause foundation to slide off by midday. This is why we made our product for you. A super light veil, which is suitable for even the most sensitive skin. With no oily or white residue, it’s non-pore blocking and
dries over your moisturiser to become the best make-up primer you’ll ever use, keeping your foundation perfectly in place all day or all night long.

No make-up, no problem

For our men and/or non make-up wearers, our handy pocket size product gives you the same invisible veil and matt skin finish. Skiers, golfers and cyclists will love that it slips easily into a pocket, bag or pouch.

Where else should you be applying your SPF?

Your SPF isn’t just for your face, use all the way down to your décollete and up to your hairline. Not forgetting areas like the tops of your lips, ears, nose and the backs of your hands. These are often overlooked spots that are equally exposed to the sun, whether you’re lounging by the pool or simply driving. The backs of your hands are quick to show signs of ageing, so it’s vital to keep them protected. And if you’re grabbing some winter sun make sure to apply it to the tops of your feet.

How much SPF should you use?

Aim for about the size of a 5 pence piece for each application. However, this should come after Step 2 – Skin Boost and Step 3 – Skin Defence Cream in your skincare routine. If you're planning to sunbathe, apply Daily DNA Defence SPF30 at least 15 minutes before heading outside. Once you're in the sun reapply after 15 minutes for the ultimate protection, then continue every two hours.

And remember, swimming, sweating or towel drying can remove your SPF, so be sure to reapply regularly to keep your skin fully protected.