Did you know that almost half of women experience challenges with their skin during the menopause? [1]
Menopause can come with an array of changes, but one thing is for sure, it can throw your skin into a spin. The skin changes in many ways including thinning skin, lower collagen levels and dryness. This means our skincare regime needs a shake-up.
When it comes to the menopause, understanding why the skin changes and what nutrition is best for menopausal skin, can ensure your skin ages in a healthy way, with the support it needs to target new concerns. Advanced Nutrition Programme™’s philosophy is feeding the skin from within for skin health for youthful-looking skin. The brands researchers demystify menopause, explain some of the skin changes you may experience during this period and ingredients which can support your skin during these changes.
What is the menopause?
Put simply, menopause is when a woman stops getting periods and can no longer get pregnant as part of the natural ageing process. The ovaries stop releasing eggs, and levels of reproductive hormones including oestrogen and progesterone fall. These changes may have a knock-on impact on numerous aspects of the mind, body, and skin.
In the Republic of Ireland, this usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. The years running up to this point are referred to as perimenopause, this often starts around age 45, but can begin years before [2].
Some of the most common symptoms of the menopause include hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, lack of energy, brain fog, headaches, loss of confidence and low mood. As well as many of these symptoms, menopause can also impact the skin.
What happens to skin during the menopause?
Oestrogen, the reproductive hormone has a lot of different roles in the body and is closely involved in many processes in the skin. This means that when oestrogen levels start to fluctuate during the perimenopause, and fall after the menopause, it can have a knock-on effect on skin. Some of these changes include thinning skin, lower collagen levels, fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, dryness, problem skin and sensitivity. Several nutritional ingredients can help support your skin during this time.
Dry , itchy skin and heightened sensitivity
Hyaluronic acid plays a crucial role in ensuring the skin stays hydrated and comfortable. Normal skin produces its own hyaluronic acid, but the amount that we produce drops as we get older. One of the reasons behind this is thought to be related to oestrogen decline. Scientists believe that oestrogen stimulates skin to produce hyaluronic acid – so when there is less oestrogen in the body, less hyaluronic acid is produced. As a result, skin may appear dry, less plump and lacking in hydration.
The skin researchers at Advanced Nutrition Programme™ recommend ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin A and omega fatty acids to support the skin barrier and to keep the skin moisturised and plump.
These ingredients are featured in Skin Moisture IQ which contains Skin Moisture Lock, 2 Skin Omegas+, Skin Vit A+ and Skin Vitality, packed in practical and convenient pods for busy on the go lifestyles. Delivering intensive moisture and hydration for a dry and dehydrated complexion.
Thinning skin, fine lines, and wrinkles
Did you know you lose 30% of collagen in the first five years of the menopause [4]? So, looking after your collagen is key for supporting youthful-looking skin. Collagen is a protein that helps to provide the foundation for our skin – creating a structure that keeps it plump and resilient. Lower collagen and elastin levels cause the skin to become thinner, less firm and make fine lines and wrinkles appear more visible.
Advanced Nutrition Programme™ skin experts recommend taking collagen supporting ingredients including zinc, vitamin C, MSM, and phytonutrients. These should all be a priority in building resilient collagen.
All these collagen co factors are found in Skin Collagen Synergy which activates your own collagen**. Each daily dose features 2 Skin Collagen Support, Skin Vit C and Skin Vitality to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for younger-looking skin.
Loss of elasticity and firmness
As well as sluggish collagen production, your skin may experience a loss in firmness and result in deeper wrinkles. CoQ10 (Co Enzyme Q10) is the secret ingredient to anti-ageing and pine bark extract which studies have shown to improve hydration and elasticity of the skin [5]. These skin energising ingredients are found in Skin Ultimate to achieve head-to-toe skin radiance and deliver beautiful skin*, hair^ and nails^. Each daily dose features Skin Omegas+, Skin Vit A+, Skin Asta-Boost, Skin CoQ10+ and Skin Antioxidant to deliver award-winning skin-enhancing results as well as supporting condition of your hair.
Problem skin
Although, often considered a teenage skin concern, problem skin can become a common complaint for menopausal women. Some women may experience acne, and similarly to teenage acne, menopausal acne is thought to be connected to the changing levels of hormones within the body. Changes to the skin’s pH, and to the levels of oil produced by the skin are also thought to contribute to the increased likelihood of problem skin during the menopause.
Target imperfections with award-winning Skin Accumax™, which synergises vitamins A, C and E and a phytonutrient to feed every cell in the body including the face, chest, and shoulders without drying out the skin for a clear, smooth finish.
Menopause and the gut
With its myriad of connections to wellbeing, a connection to the menopause is, perhaps, not a surprise. There is a specific group of bacteria in the gut that helps process and transport oestrogen through the body, so when oestrogen levels begin to change, the formation and diversity of our gut bacteria also changes. Maintaining a diverse, healthy microbiome is vital to overall wellbeing and skin health.
To support the gut-skin connection, their skin experts recommend taking one of their award-winning biome supplements.
Skin Youth Biome™ uses next generation microbiome technology featuring six skin-friendly bacteria to target the seven signs of ageing: fine lines, wrinkles, elasticity, uneven skin tone, dullness, dryness, and thinning skin. Happier gut = happier skin.
Alternatively, patent-pending Skin Clear Biome™ is designed for problem or stressed skin. Feeding the gut with four strains of skin-friendly bacteria to clarify and clear the complexion. For maximum results, pair with Skin Accumax™ for a clear flawless finish.
Understanding the changes that happen to your skin during the menopause can help you prepare and overcome any worries or concerns on the matter. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, vitamin A and omega fatty acids, skin-friendly bacteria are all essential ingredients to support skin health during the menopause and should be considered as essentials for your skincare regime to help you navigate this time of change. Our team of skincare professionals are here to support you and your skin.
Discover more by visiting one of our clinics or book a skin consultation online.
*Vitamin A contributes to normal maintenance of skin
^Selenium contributes to the normal maintenance of hair and nails
**Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of collagen
