Menopause: how to take care of your skin?

Menopause is the stage in a woman's life characterised by the cessation of ovulation and the end of periods (menstruation). It generally occurs between 45 and 55 years of age.

Multiple symptoms emerge, such as hot flushes, sleep disturbances, fatigue, irritability. The risk of diseases also increases (osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases). At the time of menopause, women's skin also undergoes numerous changes.

All these changes can be attributed to a decrease in hormonal activity. Indeed, the ovaries no longer secrete oestrogen and progesterone.

The secretion of hormones has an impact on the skin:

• Estrogens :

  Under the influence of oestrogens, the fibroblasts present in the dermis synthesise more collagen fibres, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, providing the skin with improved density, elasticity, and firmness. Furthermore, oestrogens increase the number of keratinocytes whose role is to synthesise keratin, a protein that protects the skin.

• Progesterone :

  The role of progesterone in relation to the skin is still poorly understood. It appears that it increases the secretion of sebum. Furthermore, progesterone has a known anti-androgenic effect.

To note : Androgens are sexual hormones that trigger the onset and development of male sexual characteristics.

During menopause, the cessation of ovulation leads to a halt in the hormonal activity of oestrogens and progesterone. Consequently, the reduction in oestrogen production results in a dermal and epidermal atrophy : the skin thins and loses its suppleness, elasticity and firmness. Moreover, due to a loss in hyaluronic acid and inactivity of the sebaceous glands, the skin becomes dehydrated and the hydrolipidic film is weakened. The skin then becomes more susceptible to external aggressions and transepidermal dehydration.

In addition to a decrease in oestrogen and progesterone, the level of androgens increases, which is the cause of the onset of unwanted facial hair and the exacerbation of hair loss.

During menopause, the skin becomes vulnerable due to dehydration, an imbalance in the skin microbiota, and a weakening of the hydrolipidic film. Therefore, in the morning, we rely on products rich in hydrating, nourishing, and rebalancing active ingredients.

Start your day by applying a mist or a toner. For instance, you could use the hydrating toner lotion. It contains 1% of hyaluronic acid which helps to moisturise the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The aloe vera it contains soothes, relieves and improves the healing process. For this step, you could also opt for the hydrating mist with lemongrass verbena. It contains centifolia rose extract which restores the content of natural moisturising agents and lipids present in the stratum corneum to replenish the skin's hydrolipidic film. It also contains inulin which hydrates and rebalances the skin microbiota, as well as a biosaccharide that protects against dehydration and stimulates the natural production of hyaluronic acid and collagen.

Next, use the hyaluronic acid serum. Indeed, the daily intake of hyaluronic acid (INCI name: "Sodium Hyaluronate") helps to compensate for the natural decrease in its level in the skin that occurs with age, thereby reducing the appearance of fine lines and making the skin more supple and toned. This serum also contains pro-vitamin B5 (INCI name: "Panthenol") which stimulates the regeneration of dermal and epidermal cells, thus reducing the skin's insensible water loss. In addition to these two compounds, the serum contains a complex of molecules under the commercial name of aquaxyl. These compoundsincrease the natural production of hyaluronic acid in keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Together, these active ingredients help to restore hydrated, plump and smooth skin. You can also use the plumping serum. It contains 3% of polyglutamic acid which creates a protective film on the surface of the epidermis and also boosts the production of molecules composing the natural moisturising factor (NMF). It allows the skin to retain its hydration over a long period.

Then use the nourishing face creamwhich is enriched with lipid-replenishing and moisturising active ingredients. Indeed, it contains hyaluronic acid which hydrates the skin, shea butter that nourishes the skin and protects it from external aggressions, as well as squalane which repairs the hydrolipidic film.

The final step is a very crucial one: sun protection. Throughout the year and regardless of the weather, it is absolutely essential to protect oneself from UV rays with a sun protection suitable for your phototype. Our sun creams provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, while also moisturising and soothing the skin thanks to hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.

During menopause, signs of ageing become increasingly apparent: wrinkles and fine lines, loss of elasticity... In the evening, we recommend relying on active ingredients that combat skin ageing such as the retinol.

Firstly, begin by cleansing your face to remove makeup, sunscreen, and pollution residues with the cleansing balm. Follow this with the hydrating cleansing milk, perfect for deeply washing the skin without drying it out. It contains hyaluronic acid known for its highly hydrating virtues, coconut oil which nourishes and softens the skin, as well as chamomile hydrosol recognised for its anti-inflammatory and calming properties.

After cleansing, you can use the firming toner to regulate the pH of the skin and remove the lime residues present in the water. Rich in firming active ingredients, this lotion reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and fights against skin sagging.

Next, apply the wrinkle & fine lines serum, containing 0.3% of retinol. It stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, possesses antioxidant properties and reduces brown spots. It also containscastor oil, a friend to mature skin. The skin becomes smoother and wrinkles are less visible. This serum should be applied only in the evening.

Continue with the use of the firming moisturising cream which contains 0.2% of retinol and tsubaki oil. It effectively combats signs of ageing and nourishes the skin. You may also opt for the night-time tightening serum. With 7 botanical extracts, this botanical blend tones and regenerates the skin overnight. It contains 3 types of active ingredients: plant native cells, vegetable oils and essential oils that work in synergy to combat signs of ageing, nourish the skin and rebalance it.

As we age, skin renewal slows down. Dead cells accumulate, leading to enlarged pores and a dull complexion. A weekly exfoliation is essential to regenerate the skin and enhance its receptivity to treatments. Our regenerating facial scrub gently exfoliates the skin using apricot kernel powder. It also contains squalane , which helps to regenerate the hydrolipidic film due to its lipid richness. The rose geranium essential oil stimulates collagen synthesis and helps to firm the skin. This scrub should be used 1 to 2 times per week.

In order to prevent dehydration and dryness, it is crucial to maintain a fortified and impermeable skin barrier. Consequently, our hydrating and plumping mask helps to increase skin hydration and smooth out dehydration fine lines. This mask contains tremella extract (INCI name: "Tremella Fuciformis Extract") which encapsulates a natural hyaluronic acid of low molecular weight, allowing it to penetrate deeply into the skin. Rich in polysaccharides and fatty acids, the tremella extract forms a microscopic film on the skin's surface, enhancing the impermeability of the skin barrier. Our mask also comprises aloe vera gel which hydrates and soothes the skin. Apply our mask 1 to 2 times per week after cleansing and exfoliating your skin.

• PIERARD G. & al. La peau et le temps de la ménopause. La Revue Médicale de Liège (2006).

• PUIZINA-IVIC N. Skin aging. Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina Pannonica et Adriatica (2008).