Menopause is a natural and physiological event that affects all women. There are more than 10 million pre-menopausal or menopausal women in France, or just under a third of the total female population.
And yet, until relatively recently, it was referred to in whispers 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 topic.
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, breakouts, and more.
And for some, acne is the most surprising symptom of all. Whether they haven't had acne for decades or never had it, most women don't expect to have acne as they approach 50.
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, affecting 40% of women. About 26% of pre-menopausal 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 is a reflection on the skin of what is happening inside the body.
At menopause, the ovaries begin to produce fewer hormones, such as estrogen, and eventually stop producing them altogether. Estrogen plays many regulatory roles in the body, and this dramatic drop 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 severe fluctuations in hormone levels can cause acne flare-ups 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.
On the skin, the skincare routine should combine acne targeting and anti-aging. If the products are too aggressive, you risk causing collateral damage to the skin, and thus creating more problems.
Here's a simple skin care routine
Cleaning :
AVOID double cleansing. Your skin is drier than ever during menopause, and stripping your skin of its natural oils can dry 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 that have 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.
Repair and prevent :
If your skin is prone to blemishes and you get the occasional breakout, apply Vitamin C Serum-in-Oil to slightly damp skin after cleansing, all over your face, neck and décolleté. This is a great serum that repairs the skin barrier, nourishes the skin, prevents spots and fine lines and hydrates.
If you suffer from continuous breakouts, apply the Vitamin C Serum-in-Oil, followed by the Multilayer Serum to apply just on the affected areas. Let dry for 1 minute.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate:
The Vitamin C Serum-in-Oil can be enough for your skin as a moisturizer. The vitamin C in this serum is in a rare oil form, which is extremely well absorbed by the skin and therefore effective without irritation. This serum-in-oil is also great because your sebaceous glands are no longer very active, and the risk of damaging the skin barrier is high, which accelerates the loss of moisture. And you get the benefits of lipids without the greasy feeling.
However, if your skin needs extra hydration, you may need to apply a moisturizer after the Vitamin C Serum-in-Oil or Multilayer Serum, depending on which you used last.
A good moisturizer contains both water and oil components. The water components (humectants) will attract water to the skin's surface, while the oil components will lubricate the skin barrier for effective protection and hydration. But avoid rich creams, such as traditional night creams, and opt for humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid, propanediol, urea, etc.).
During menopause, avoid overstimulating the skin with too many active ingredients.
And don't forget to moisturize other visible areas: neck, chest and hands.
