Skin and menopause: understanding the changes and adapting your skincare routine

The skin, the largest organ in the human body, is particularly sensitive to hormonal fluctuations that occur throughout life. Among these upheavals, menopause represents a major stage in a woman's life and is accompanied by many changes. Skin aging accelerates, and its texture and appearance change.

In this article, experts from FILORGA Laboratories explain all the effects of menopause on the skin and invite you to discover how to adapt your beauty routine during this very special period.

Menopause and Skin: The Essentials in a Nutshell

• Menopause leads toa Decrease in estrogen, responsible for skin dryness, loss of density, sagging, and the appearance of more pronounced wrinkles.

• Estrogen plays a key role in the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, essential for skin hydration, firmness, and elasticity.

• Adapting your skincare routine is essential: prioritize gentle cleansing, boost hydration with hyaluronic acid, and use anti-aging active ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, and apply daily sunscreen.

• A healthy lifestyle optimizes results:a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, adequate hydration, stress reduction, smoking cessation, and regular physical activity.

• FILORGA offers solutions tailored to the needs of menopausal skin, with nourishing skincare products like the GLOBAL REPAIR range, formulas that target wrinkles like TIME-FILLER, and revitalizing skincare products with NCEF REVITALIZE.

What is menopause and how does it affect our bodies?

Menopause is a natural stage in a woman's life that marks the end of her fertile period. It occurs on average between the ages of 45 and 55 and is characterized by the permanent cessation of menstruation. Physiologically, the ovaries gradually cease their activity, leading to a decrease in the production of female hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal changes are not limited to the reproductive system but affect the entire body. Symptoms, commonly referred to as climacteric disorders, can vary considerably from one woman to another in intensity and duration. Among the most common symptoms are: Hot flashes. Headaches. Chronic fatigue. Chronic fatigue. Insomnia ... aria-level="1">

Irritability and anxiety.

The impact of this hormonal upheaval on the skin is particularly visible. Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality and youthfulness of skin tissue. Their decline leads to significant changes that need to be understood in order to better treat them.

What are the effects of menopause on the skin? Understanding to better act

The essential role of estrogen

Before discussing the consequences of menopause on the skin, it is important to understand the fundamental role estrogen plays in skin health. These hormones act on several levels:

• In the epidermis, estrogens stimulate the proliferation of keratinocytes, thus contributing to the maintenance of barrier function and hydration.

• In the dermis, these hormones promote the multiplication of fibroblasts. These cells are responsible for the synthesis of collagen fibers, a structural protein that gives the skin firmness and strength, and elastin, which gives it suppleness and its ability to regain its shape after stretching. Estrogen also stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid, a molecule capable of retaining up to 1000 times its weight in water, thus ensuring hydration and volume.

The effects of estrogen deficiency on the skin during menopause

The gradual decrease in estrogen during menopause has several effects on the skin:

Thinning and atrophy of the epidermis

The decrease in collagen and hyaluronic acid content causes skin thinning.The skin loses density and thickness,becoming thinner and more fragile. This phenomenon is particularly visible on the face, neck, and hands.

Accelerated tissue sagging

The loss of skin elasticity accelerates with menopause. We observe the appearance of new wrinkles, while fine lines and dark circles become more visible. Facial contours gradually loosen, with a particularly pronounced effect on the eyelids, neck, and facial contours.

Changes in pigmentation

Changes such asthe appearance or accentuation ofage-related brown spots may occur.

Increased sensitivity

The skin often becomes more reactive and sensitive to external aggressions. Itching generally occurs in areas most exposed to air, wind, cold, etc.

Drier skin (xerosis cutis)

The decline in estrogen causes a reduction in sebum production and an alteration of the skin barrier. The skin becomes drier, more uncomfortable, and may feel tight. This dryness primarily affects the face, but also the body and limbs.

Menopause Skincare Routine: FILORGA's Tips

Faced with these changes, it is essential to adapt your skincare routine to meet your skin's new needs. Here are the key steps to follow:

1. Gentle, Non-Aggressive Cleansing

Since menopausal skin is more fragile and dry, it is important tochoose gentle cleansers that respect its pH and do not disrupt the skin barrier. Opt for creamy formulas or cleansing oils that will rid your skin of impurities without stripping it. 2. Enhanced hydration To combat dryness and discomfort, keeping your skin properly moisturized becomes a priority. Choose skincare enriched with hyaluronic acid, which helps maintain optimal hydration levels. Rich-textured moisturizers are also recommended for women with dry skin.

3. Targeted active ingredients to stimulate collagen production

To compensate for the decrease in collagen production, add skincare products containing:

• Retinol (vitamin A): this ingredient stimulates cell renewal and promotes collagen synthesis. Caution: Use gradually to avoid irritation.

• Peptides: These active ingredients can help strengthen skin structure and improve skin firmness.

• Vitamin C: a powerful antioxidant that also contributes to collagen production and brightens the complexion.

4. Daily sun protection

To slow skin aging during menopause,the skin must be effectively protected against UV rays. Use a cream with a high SPF daily, even in winter or on cloudy days. Unprotected sun exposure can aggravate pigmentation problems and accelerate collagen breakdown.

5. Suitable care for sensitive areas

Certain areas such as the eye area, neck, and décolleté deserve special attention because they are more sensitive to the effects of aging. Use specific skincare products for these areas, which are generally richer and formulated to target wrinkles and sagging.

In addition to your skincare routine, how to take care of your skin during menopause

Beyond your skincare routine, certain lifestyle habits can help minimize the effects of menopause on the skin.

A balanced diet rich in antioxidants

Diet plays an important role in skin health. Favor:

• Foods rich in omega-3 (oily fish, walnuts, flaxseeds)which strengthen the skin's lipid barrier, thus limiting water loss and helping to maintain good skin hydration.

• Colorful fruits and vegetables, sources of antioxidants that protect the skin against free radicals.

• Quality proteins which provide the amino acids needed for collagen production.

• Foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E whichstimulate cell regeneration.

Optimal Hydration

Make sure you drink enough water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated. Most experts recommend 1.5 to 2 liters of water every day. Limiting Stress Chronic stress can worsen some menopause symptoms and accelerate skin aging. If you're affected, try relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing. Quitting Smoking Smoking accelerates skin aging and breaks down collagen. If you smoke, menopause is the ideal time to try to quit and maintain the health of your skin.

Regular physical activity

Physical exercise improves blood circulation, which helps deliver nutrients to the skin and eliminate toxins.Even short sessions or a little more daily activity (walking, climbing stairs, etc.) will have a positive effect. Choose the activity you enjoy and try to move as much as possible every day!

Filorga Laboratories solutions adapted to each menopausal skin type

By altering your skin type, menopause will require you to adapt your usual skincare. Here are some recommendations based on the most common issues:

For very dry and dehydrated skin

If your skin is particularly dry, opt for ultra-nourishing and repairing skincare products like those in our GLOBAL REPAIR range. These products, rich innutri-revitalizing active ingredients, help restore the skin barrier and compensate for lipid loss associated with menopause.

For combination to oily skin

Contrary to popular belief, some women may develop oilier skin during menopause due to hormonal imbalance. In this case, choose light textures like those in theTIME-FILLER range. These treatments provide optimal hydration and effectively target wrinkles.

For all skin types looking for a radiance boost

OurNCEF REVITALIZE serum is a versatile solution suitable for all skin types. Its highly concentrated formula with NCEF, a unique complex exclusively developed by FILORGA and inspired by regenerative anti-aging injections, helps restore skin's radiance and firmness, while respecting its increased sensitivity during menopause. Menopause therefore represents an important stage in a woman's life, with significant repercussions on the skin. Far from being inevitable, these skin changes can be managed with an adapted skincare routine and healthy lifestyle habits. The key is to understand that menopausal skin has specific needs that must be addressed with targeted products. Softness, hydration, protection, and regeneration are the key words for an effective skincare strategy.

By adopting a holistic approach that combines quality skincare and healthy lifestyle advice, you can not only mitigate the effects of menopause on your skin, but also preserve its long-term health and beauty.