Dry Skin & Acne Breakouts: What You Need To Know
Menopausal women are familiar with the common symptoms of menopause, like the infamous hot flushes/flashes and menstrual period changes. But did you know that your skin might be affected as well, for example, dry skin and acne?
You’ll probably notice that your skin is thinner and more easily damaged. It’s also dryer than usual, leading to itchy skin and an irritating tingling sensation.
Your hot flushes/flashes can also manifest on your skin, making it visibly red and even developing rashes. And even though you’re certainly no longer a teenager, changes in your hormone levels can lead to the development of hormonal acne.
Sounds familiar? Read on to find out more about the skin changes that menopause brings and what you can do to manage them.
What happens to your skin during menopause?
Just like most things that happen in your menopausal period, the skin changes you’re experiencing are due to your sex hormones — particularly your fluctuating estrogen levels.
Estrogen plays a huge role in keeping your skin healthy and youthful-looking. Thus, having estrogen-deficient skin is a surefire recipe for a whole slew of menopausal skin conditions, such as the following:
- Thinner skin – As you age and go through menopause, collagen production slows down. In fact, it is estimated that you lose 30% of skin collagen in the first five years of menopause, and this protein is responsible for your skin’s elasticity. The lack of estrogen also leads to the decline of glycosaminoglycans, which maintains your skin’s plumpness and flexibility. All these changes lead to wrinkles and sagging.
- Dry skin and menopausal acne – Estrogen encourages oil production, keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized. Thus, the depletion of estrogens on skin and the increase in male hormones like testosterone make your skin dryer and more prone to acne breakouts. It can also make your skin itchy.
- Rashes and hot flashes/flushes – These happen because estrogen plays a part in your body’s temperature control. Sometimes, your hot flashes become visible because of the tiny blood vessels rising to the surface of your skin, manifesting a rash-like appearance.
- Delayed wound healing – Because of estrogen deficiency, your skin can’t heal itself as effectively as it used to. It can make your skin more prone to bruises and tears.
Do menopausal acne and dry skin go away?
Yes! Once you solve your hormonal imbalance, these temporary skin symptoms are likely to disappear.
But in the meantime, you can ensure your skin health by following these tips:
- Eat a healthy diet. Keep your skin hydrated by including essential fatty acids like omega-3 in your diet. You can find these in foods like salmon, walnuts, and sardines. Apart from that, make sure that you avoid alcohol and processed foods, as well as those containing too much sugar and additives.
- Moisturize and protect your skin. Applying moisturizer to your dry skin can protect it from moisture loss. You should also avoid products and activities that strip your skin of its natural oily barrier, like soaps, harsh cleansers, scrubbing, and extremely hot baths. And don’t forget to apply SPF 15 sunscreen or higher on your skin when going out!
- Try hormone replacement therapy. Replacing your sex hormones can help slow down the effects of menopause on your skin. It can also prevent the loss of collagen, keeping your skin moisturized and healthy.
Want to learn more about menopause and its symptoms? Don’t forget to sign up for our free menopause training!
