Menopause is a natural and physiological event that affects all women. There are more than 10 million pre-menopausal or menopausal women in France, which is just under a third of the total female population.
And yet, until relatively recently, it was referred to in hushed tones and euphemisms. People talked about "the change," when they talked about 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 experiences menopause in her own unique way. Pre-menopause (or perimenopause) typically begins in the early to mid-forties 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 60-80% of women at some point during menopause), sleep disturbances, weight gain, mood swings, skin 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 have never had it, most women don't expect to get acne as they approach their fifties.
After perimenopause, the post-menopause 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 said to affect 40% of women. Approximately 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's a reflection on the skin of what's happening inside the body.
During menopause, the ovaries start producing fewer hormones, like estrogen, eventually stopping altogether. Estrogen plays many regulatory roles in the body, and this significant 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. Inadequate diet, stress, and lack of sleep all contribute to skin problems like acne, and all are common symptoms of menopause.
And how do you treat menopausal acne?
You have a lot more power to control acne than you might think. Even if you are genetically predisposed to acne, you can change the course of acne development.
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 following the start of HRT.
There are also natural solutions. You can alleviate menopausal 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 to 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, thus creating more problems.
Simple Skincare Routine
1. Cleansing :
AVOID double cleansing. Your skin is drier than ever during menopause, and stripping the skin's natural oils further dries out the skin. Also avoid harsh ingredients that can damage the skin's protective lipid layers (sulfates in cleansers, for example). If you wear makeup, first use a makeup remover, then cleanse.
Use a gentle formula like the Triple Action Cleanser. This non-foaming, glycerin-rich cleanser contains Protium heptaphyllum resin, a rare botanical ingredient rich in phytochemicals with protective and anti-inflammatory action. Gentle yet effective, the Triple Action Cleanser quickly helps restore the skin's microbiome balance thanks to a pioneering probiotic strain.
2. Regulate and protect :
If your skin has blemishes or occasional breakouts, apply the Regulation Serum to slightly damp skin after cleansing, on the blemishes. This expert serum works at a cellular level to rebalance the skin, strengthen the skin barrier, and act on blemishes and spots.
3. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate :
The Cellular Hydration Serum, thanks to hyaluronic acid and magnesium, reactivates cellular hydration and restores skin suppleness. In parallel, its complex of prebiotics and probiotics supports the skin microbiome, thus reducing the inflammation that causes many breakouts during this period of life.
This serum also acts as a skin barrier booster, thanks to a patented ingredient that stimulates vitamin D receptors. Result: stronger skin, more resistant to aggressions, and less prone to acne breakouts.
During menopause, avoid overstimulating the skin with too many active ingredients.
And don't forget to hydrate other visible parts: neck, chest, and hands.
Enjoy -10% off your first order with code BIENVENUE10.
[Click here to discover the Regulation Serum]