Menopause is a natural and physiological event that affects all women. There are more than 10 million pre-menopausal or post-menopausal women in France, or just under a third of the total female population.
And yet, until relatively recently, it was referred to in hushed tones and euphemisms. People spoke of "change," when they spoke of it at all.
Recently, women have been taking steps to educate themselves about this transitional stage of life. And thanks to initiatives like October's Menopause Awareness Month, it's now being discussed as a health issue.
Every woman goes through menopause in her own unique way. Perimenopause typically begins in the early to mid-40s and can last a few years or more than 10 years. Some people go through this period without noticing any changes until their periods stop, while others struggle for years with hot flashes (which affect about 60 to 80 percent of women at some point during menopause), sleep disturbances, weight gain, moodiness, rashes, and many other issues.
And for some, acne is the most surprising symptom of all. Whether they haven't had acne for decades or never have, most women don't expect to experience acne as they approach their 50s.
After perimenopause, the postmenopausal period is defined as the passage of one full year without menstruation.
So what causes menopausal acne?
Adult acne is on the rise and is estimated to affect 40% of women. About 26% of premenopausal women are affected, and about 15% of women aged 50 and over.
The root cause is the same at any age: acne is hormonal. It reflects on the skin what is happening inside the body.
At menopause, the ovaries begin producing fewer hormones, such as estrogen, and eventually stop producing them altogether. Estrogen plays many regulatory roles in the body, and this dramatic decline disrupts hormonal balance, often leading to acne.
While the cause is hormonal, acne is a multifactorial skin condition. Other factors are also at play. Poor diet, stress, and lack of sleep all contribute to skin problems like acne, and all are common symptoms of menopause.
And how to treat menopausal acne?
You have much more power to control acne than you think. Even if you are genetically predisposed to acne, you can change the course of acne progression.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help alleviate some menopausal symptoms and target acne. Keep in mind that sudden and significant fluctuations in hormone levels can cause acne breakouts in the weeks and months after starting hormone replacement therapy.
There are also natural solutions. You can alleviate menopause symptoms and control acne by adjusting your diet and lifestyle. A plant-based diet rich in phytoestrogens (plant compounds that mimic estrogen in the body) and high in fiber will make a difference in symptoms and skin health.
On the skin, your skincare routine should combine acne-targeting and anti-aging. If the products are too harsh, you risk causing collateral damage to the skin, creating more problems.
Simple Skin Care Routine
Cleaning :
AVOID double cleansing. Your skin is drier than ever during menopause, and stripping away your skin's natural oils dries it out even more. Also, avoid harsh ingredients that can damage your skin's protective lipid layers (e.g., sulfates in cleansers). If you wear makeup, use a makeup remover first, then cleanse.
Use a gentle formula like Triple Action Cleanser . This non-foaming, glycerin-rich cleanser contains Protium heptaphyllum resin, a rare botanical rich in phytochemicals with protective and anti-inflammatory properties. Gentle yet effective, Triple Action Cleanser quickly helps restore balance to the skin's microbiome with a pioneering probiotic strain.
Regulate and protect:
If your skin suffers from blemishes or occasional breakouts, apply Regulation Serum to slightly damp skin after cleansing, directly on the blemishes. This expert serum works at the cellular level to rebalance the skin, strengthen the skin barrier, and address blemishes and spots.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate:
The Cellular Hydration Serum , Thanks to hyaluronic acid and magnesium, it boosts cellular hydration and restores suppleness to the skin. At the same time, its complex of prebiotics and probiotics supports the skin microbiome, reducing inflammation, which causes many spots at this time of life.
This serum also acts as a skin barrier booster, thanks to a patented ingredient that stimulates vitamin D receptors. The result: stronger skin, more resistant to aggression and less prone to acne breakouts.
During menopause, avoid overstimulating the skin with too many active ingredients.
And don't forget to moisturize other visible areas: neck, chest, and hands.