Within the multitude of changes that occur in the skin during menopause, the most recurrent concern among women is skin dehydration.
Menopause is a stage marked by the absence of menstruation over twelve consecutive months. This is a natural process that usually begins between the ages of forty and fifty years, during which the ovaries stop producing ova and the production of oestrogen begins to decline.
Although every woman experiences menopause differently, the most visible signs usually occur on skin. Dryness, wrinkles, flaccidity, thinner skin, etc., are just some of the skin problems women face at this stage of their lives.
Causes of skin dryness and dehydration during menopause
With the drastic reduction in the production of collagen and elastin in the early years of menopause due to the loss of oestrogen and progesterone, the skin’s ability to retain water and maintain hydration is affected.
In addition, the epidermis becomes more fragile and permeable, which compromises the skin’s barrier function and the body is more susceptible to attacks by external environmental agents (radiation, temperature, pollution), which worsen the processes of dehydration, irritation and sensitisation.
These changes can start to occur during the perimenopause, a period of between four and eight years in which these sex hormones begin to become unbalanced and experience more extreme fluctuations.
Main symptoms
Reduction of sebum production
In addition to promoting the production of collagen and elastin, oestrogen also plays an important role in the production of natural oils in the skin's sebaceous glands, known as cutaneous sebum, that help keep the skin moisturised, elastic, and protected from external aggressions. During menopause, these oils are reduced due to changes in the skin structure and there is a reduction of hyaluronic acid, among others, which leads to dehydration.
Itching and irritation
The change in skin texture, caused by lack of hydration and the fragility of the epidermal barrier, can cause us to experience itching or redness in more or less extensive areas of our skin, especially if we are exposed to a dry and cold climate. In the most extreme cases, the skin may become cracked, experience a worsening in the effects of atopic skin or develop symptoms of other skin conditions.
Rough skin
Lack of hydration can cause the skin to have a shrivelled, rough texture, and even cause flakiness to appear. Dry skin is also more likely to cause wrinkles and expression lines to worsen and is more fragile to environmental agents. The good news is that these effects can be improved using cosmetic products and suitable professional moisturising treatments, so it is possible to make the appearance of the skin and wrinkles much better.
Treatments for skin dehydration
FAQs
Is there any change I can make to my diet to improve the hydration of my skin?
Essential fatty acids, especially omega 3, can help the skin produce the protective sebum barrier it needs to stay hydrated. These compounds can be found naturally in oily fish, nuts, linseed oil and soybean oil, among others. We can also use dietary supplements to consume them, including those of fish oil.
Foods to avoid in the event of dehydration are sugar, salt, caffeine and alcohol. And of course, it is important to drink a suitable amount of water to hydrate our whole body.
In addition to these changes in diet, adding physical exercise will be the perfect supplement not only to keep your skin healthy, but to benefit the health of your heart and bones. Take into account that exercise increases blood circulation, providing the nutrients and oxygen needed for the skin, which helps to promote collagen production.
Which cosmetic routine is the best for combating skin dryness?
Dehydrated skin can benefit a lot from topical creams containing moisturising and emollient agents such as glycerine, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, urea or shea butter, and also antioxidants such as vitamin C. To help these moisturising creams have a deeper effect, we can gently exfoliate the skin with cosmetic products containing alpha hydroxy acids, such as lactic acid, but it is not recommended to use aggressive peels, as they can further damage the skin’s protective barrier.
It is recommended to supplement the daily routine with concentrated serums and use facial masks. Pay special attention to the skin around the eyes, which is thinner, and to that of the hands.
In addition, keep a moisturising and refreshing facial mist at hand, especially to temporarily lower temperature during hot flushes.
Finally, remember to nourish elbows and feet with creams or very emollient body butters.
How can I prevent skin dehydration?
Avoid using excessively hot water or cleaners that contain soap or fragrances to clean the skin, opting for soft cleaners. Then use a moisturiser when the skin is still damp to retain as much moisture as possible.
In addition, it is essential to always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher if you are going to be exposed to the sun, since otherwise it will cause the skin’s oils and water to evaporate, contributing to the dryness of the skin.
If you smoke, try to stop doing so. In addition to being a very harmful habit in other aspects of health, nicotine will dry out your skin even more. If you live in an area with a dry climate, using a humidifier could really help.
It is useful to avoid sudden temperature changes. It also helps to control excess sweating, as sweat, being acidic, increases the irritability of already irritated or sensitised skin.
