How does menopause affect the skin & what can you do?

1. Accept that your skin is going through natural changes and shouldn’t be a cause for any serious concern in most cases.
2. Find the right caring cleanser formulated for your skin type - one that won't strip away natural oils.
3. Use a hydrating serum or cream to help with dryness and loss of elasticity.
4. Protect your skin from the sun with SPF 30 or higher sunscreen.
5. Be gentle with your skin - always check product directions to ensure correct usage to nurture your skin and avoid damage.

Menopause can cause various skin changes, from dryness and discolouration to wrinkles, age spots, and acne. Discover below the most common menopausal skincare problems, along with advice on how to treat them.

Menopause can often lead to dry skin due to decreased hormone levels, namely estrogen. Estrogen stimulates the production of Collagen and natural oils, which help keep the skin naturally moisturised. 

When estrogen levels drop in menopausal women, they experience a dip in their skin's natural ability to hydrate itself. To keep skin hydrated, it is important to moisturise regularly and use moisturising serums for the areas of particular concern.

Dark spots are patches of darkened skin that typically appear on the face but can also be found elsewhere on your body. Their appearance is typical during menopause due to hormonal fluctuations, particularly increased melanin production. 

If menopausal dark spots are causing you concern, the NIVEA Cellular Luminous630 range could be the answer for you. The Patented LUMINOUS630 acts to lighten and reduce any existing dark spots while also balancing new melanin production to prevent the appearance of new spots.

One common yet uncomfortable menopause skincare problem is prickly, itchy skin, which is attributable to the lower production of Collagen and natural oils. This can appear over large areas of the body and can vary in intensity, leading to menopausal skin rashes. Fortunately, you can combat this by hydrating your skin with a gentle moisturiser or lotion to help soothe and reduce irritation.

Excessive sweating is a widespread menopause skincare problem and is likely nothing to worry about, whether this is hot flashes or night sweats. This is also due to the changing hormone levels, which affect the body’s temperature control.

To ease excessive sweating during menopause yet not irritate skin, you should look for an effective antiperspirant that is also gentle on the skin. It is important to note that perspiration can also often lead to large pores, greasy skin, and breakouts.

It’s no surprise that acne can worsen during menopause when hormones fluctuate. 
If you find yourself struggling with acne breakouts during menopause, it’s important to keep these localised areas clean. 

As increased perspiration commonly leads to large pores and greasy skin, you will want to be cleansing the skin more regularly to try and avoid these breakouts. It is important that you find a gentle cleanser for this, to not strip the skin of its natural oils and lead to further dryness.

The loss of skin elasticity during menopause is down to the reduction in Collagen levels. Collagen is a powerful protein that provides the skin with structure and support to help it appear plump and firm. To boost the Collagen levels in the skin, you can incorporate Collagen creams into your skincare routine.

The NIVEA Cellular Expert Range is NIVEA’s premium anti-age range which utilises these ingredients to help volumise, firm and plump skin. With the use of superior anti-age actives, the products in this range work in harmony with the skin to restore its radiance.

The Cellular Expert Range consists of both NIVEA Expert Filler and NIVEA Expert Lift products. The NIVEA Expert Filler range utilises Folic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid for an extra-firming, re-volumizing, wrinkle-filling effect. The NIVEA Expert Filler uses Bakuchiol along with Hyaluronic Acid to boost the skin's Collagen production which helps reduce sagging and loss of contour.

Applying a topical eye cream can help revitalise this sensitive skin and reduce wrinkles. 

1.Cleanse
Every skincare routine should start with a cleanser, and a  skincare routine specialised for menopausal skin is no different. This is to ensure you rid the skin of any impurities or sebum that can lead to outbreaks. A gentle cleanser is recommended to avoid any unneeded skin irritation and doesn't rid the skin of any natural oils. 

2.Serum
A serum can help focus on areas of particular concern, whether this be severe dryness or the skin's elasticity. Make sure you are aware of the active ingredients and benefits so you can choose the best facial serum for your concern.

3.Treatments & Eye Care
To make sure those eyes are getting the attention they deserve, make sure you are looking after the skin around them. Applying a topical eye cream can help revitalise this sensitive skin and reduce wrinkles. Other treatments can include targeted wrinkle fillers, such as the NIVEA Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Power Expert Targeted Wrinkle Filler Serum, to zone in on particular concerns.

4.Moisturise
Applying topical moisture helps to protect the skin barrier and prepare it for the day ahead, whilst also delivering further benefits through active ingredients. As a common menopausal skincare concern is dry and itchy skin, it is important to look for a moisturiser that can soothe the skin while keeping it hydrated. For nourished skin, all day and night, ensure you have both a hydrating day cream and a night cream.

5.SPF
Sun care is an essential last step in any skincare routine to protect the skin from harmful UV rays throughout the day. As the skin's barrier thins with age, it becomes more susceptible to sun damage, making SPF even more important for the skin. It is recommended to use SPF30+.