The ESK blog
What’s the best moisturiser for menopausal skin?
19 August 2024
Dr Anne Thomson
What’s the best moisturiser for menopausal skin?
Hey there! Are you ready to dive into the world of moisturisers for menopausal skin? If you've navigating through menopause, you’ve probably noticed your skin is acting a bit different. Fear not, let's break it down and find that magic potion for your lovely face!
Skin Barrier Woes
Menopause brings hormonal changes that can weaken your skin's barrier. You might notice dryness, sensitivity, and a bit of that "where did my glow go?" feeling. This is due to a decrease in oestrogen, which affects skin hydration and skin barrier function. The impact of this is skin dryness and it can also cause sensitivity and even itch stinging and/ or redness.
Barrier Repair Ingredients – The Heroes!
To save the day, you'll need moisturizers packed with barrier-repairing ingredients. Look for products that have:
Niacinamide: This multi-tasker not only strengthens the skin barrier but also soothes inflammation and evens out skin tone.
Ceramides: Think of these as major ingredients of the glue that holds your skin cells together. They happen naturally in skin, thanks to Oestrogen. As you head into menopause, they can become shorter and less frequent in the skin. Adding them into your skincare can lock in moisture and keep the nasties out.
B Calm is formulated to support irritable and blemish prone skin while maintaining a healthy skin barrier. Ceramides strengthen resilience, Salicylic Acid exfoliates and calms the skin, and Niacinamide helps regulate oil and reduce the appearance of blemished skin.
B Calm
Featuring:
- Ingredients to support an improved skin barrier
- Helps manage excess oil production
- Supports a clearer-looking skin
Panthenol (Vitamin B5): Super hydrating and healing, it’s like a spa day for your skin every day.
Repair + is a moisturiser formulated to support skin hydration and barrier function. Its combination of niacinamide, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides is designed to help maintain skin moisture, strengthen the barrier function of the skin, reduce the appearance of redness, and support overall skin texture. Key Features:
Repair +
Collagen Crisis!
Menopause also brings a rapid drop off in collagen- you’ll lose almost a third in the first 5 years post menopause, which can lead to sagging and fine lines. We need to boost that collagen production to keep the skin plump and youthful.
Collagen Boosting Ingredients – Time to Rebuild!
Vitamin A (Retinoids): These are the gold standard for anti-aging. They speed up cell turnover and boost collagen production. With dry and sensitive skin, choose retinaldehyde AKA retinal, the most effective and best tolerated form of vitamin A. Retinal is a better option than its less effective old school over-the-counter Vitamin A cousins like retinol and retinyl palmitate.
Building on the proven performance of Ultimate A, Ultimate A+ Night Cream is designed for those looking to refine texture and tone or support skin prone to congestion. With 0.1% Retinal (the next-generation form of Vitamin A), Niacinamide, and 2% Glycolic Acid, this formula delivers visible improvements while remaining gentle and well tolerated. This unique combination supports smoother-looking skin, helps refine the appearance of pores and uneven tone, and promotes a more hydrated, balanced complexion. Featuring: Potent yet gentle formulation suitable for daily use Helps improve the appearance of uneven tone and texture Supports firmer, more supple-looking skin Formulated with evidence-based ingredients known to enhance skin clarity Note: Retinal is not suitable for use during pregnancy.
Ultimate A+
Vitamin C: This brightens the skin and boosts collagen. Plus, it’s an antioxidant, so it fights off those pesky free radicals. The evidence based form of vitamin C is called L Ascorbic Acid and it needs to be formulated in a low pH environment for stability. So, it can be irritating on some skin types. Carefully test moisturizers containing vitamin C for sensitivity.
C Forte Morning Serum is packed with 16% L-ascorbic acid, the purest form of Vitamin C, combined with vitamin E and ferulic acid for maximum results. Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is an anti-oxidant helping neutralise free radicals (associated with exposure to the sun). The result? A brighter, firmer, plumper looking skin with fewer fine lines apparent and a more even skin tone. Formulated at the ideal pH (2.5-3.5) and housed in airless, opaque packaging, C Forte ensures stability and effectiveness, delivering radiant skin with every use.
C Forte
Featuring;
- Evidence based ingredients and formulations for superior efficacy.
- Potent skin brightening ingredients
- A plumper, more hydrated and even toned skin.
Note: C Forte can exacerbate acne and may be too strong for irritable skin.
The pH Factor
After menopause, your skin’s pH tends to increase, leading to dryness and sensitivity. Keeping your skin’s pH balanced (around 4.7-5.75) is key. Check your skincare products to make sure they’re pH balanced to avoid further disruption.
Top Moisturizers for Menopausal Skin
Now, let's get to the fun part! Here are a few top picks for moisturizers that tick all the boxes:
So big rules- ideally, ensure the pH your skincare products is below 5.5.
If your skin is dry, sensitive or irritated, ensure your moisturiser has skin barrier building ingredients like ceramides, panthenol and niacinamide. If building collagen is your top priority, look for retinal and L Ascorbic Acid!
Wrapping It Up
Remember, menopause is a natural part of life and so are the changes in your skin. With the right ingredients, you can keep your skin looking fabulous. So go ahead, pamper yourself with these barrier-boosting, collagen-reviving goodies, and let your skin glow with confidence!
Stay fabulous and hydrated, my friends! 🌟💧
