How to age well in peri & menopause: 5 skincare tips
We have one life, one skin in which to live it. Caring for that skin starts from within, particularly during perimenopause and menopause when the skin barrier can dehydrate and become thinner. In this blog co-authored with our friends at luxury natural skincare brand Romilly Wilde, we share our top five tips for supporting skin through perimenopause and menopause - from the inside and outside.
1. Too much stress, too little sleep?
With our Future of Perimenopause research revealing that 90% of women fail to link their symptoms to perimenopause, it can be a time of uncertainty and confusion. With fluctuating hormones comes sleep disturbance, and with sleep disturbance, we’re more prone to stress. The combination of stress and menopause can cause dryness, reduction in elasticity and even acne breakouts.
Along with supplementation, mindful nutrition and exercise, our nutritional therapists suggest heading outside in daylight hours and going to bed at a consistent time (without the blue light from your phone, please!) Why? Because good sleep hygiene helps balance your circadian rhythm, key to an optimised sleep/wake cycle.
2. Menopause skincare and how to support your skin’s collagen
Did you know skin loses 30% of its collagen - the ‘scaffolding’ protein providing structure, support and strength - during the first 5 years of menopause? As collagen declines, skin becomes drier and more prone to the signs of ageing. And that’s where a synergistic ‘inside and out’ approach works wonders in building healthy collagen levels.
Collagen is made from amino acids found in high-protein foods. To help your body convert those amino acids into collagen, it needs ‘cofactors’ in the form of Vitamins A, C, B, D, Zinc and phytonutrients.
Romilly Wilde has created a unique biotech synergy of nutrients and bioactives to help support healthy collagen production, minimise wrinkles and give a firmer and more lifted look to the skin. Cue Night Duty, containing Bio Retinol (aka Vitamin A) and phytonutrients, triggering a surge in hydration and encouraging boosted collagen production while you sleep. And Eye Believe, a sculpting eye serum rich in natural plant stem cells to boost cell metabolism and ultimately strengthen the skin.
3. Protect your skin from environmental stressors
Pollution, sun radiation and free radicals all play havoc with collagen levels, so incorporating protective antioxidants into your daily routine is a must for a lit-from-within glow.
Romilly Wilde recommends this power pairing: Active Boost Oil by day and Night Duty when you sleep. Active Boost Oil contains a powerful combination of oils, Squalane and plant actives to balance the key epidermis processes affected by oxidative stress: cell renewal, cellular respiration and improving anti-oxidant activity. And Night Duty steps up to support skin cell renewal and promote skin rejuvenation.
Of course, this section would be incomplete without acknowledging the importance of a good SPF, preferably a mineral one instead of a chemical one.
4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
It’ll come as no surprise to read that hydration is key. The body needs hydration to flush out toxins and to help maintain your skin's elasticity. But there’s more to it than slugging eight glasses of water a day.
Supplements can make a profound difference to the health and appearance of your skin, especially those rich in Omega 3 for hydration and smoothness; Iodine for thirsty skin, Pine Bark for antioxidativity and Vitamin C to promote collagen production.
Add to your daily routine a non-stripping cleanser such as Romilly Wilde’s Light + Energy Serum Cleanser, a lovely formula that nourishes, hydrates and revitalises without disrupting your skin’s optimal pH. And moisturise with Night Duty, proven to improve skin hydration by up to 123% in only 4 weeks.
One final hydration tip: snack on water-dense fruits and veg throughout the day. Berries, cucumbers, watermelon, celery and bell peppers all contain a surprising amount of water, and your body will thank you for the extra nutrients, too.
5. Eat the rainbow
Diets high in sugar and refined carbs can cause glycation, a reaction which damages collagen and accelerates ageing. The best advice? ‘Eat the rainbow’ – think leafy greens and vibrant fruit, and veg to constantly support our microbiome.
The gut microbiome houses 80% of our immune system, and is also known to form an integral part of the skin’s ecosystem, so keeping it balanced is key. Yet the reality of modern life is that processed foods, alcohol, medication and stress just aren’t good for the gut. Fermented foods such as kimchi are recommended, but to really tackle the issue, consider a microbiome supplement.
