Menopause and Dry Skin

When it comes to menopause, hot flashes, night sweats and brain fog are all very familiar symptoms, but dry skin during menopause, perhaps not. In fact, the onset of drier skin can actually start early in perimenopause, but why is skin feeling drier during this time? The answer is simple, hormones, specifically oestrogen.

Oestrogen plays a key role in the health and appearance of your skin and as women age and approach menopause, oestrogen levels naturally decline. This decline brings about a decline in our own natural hydrating moisturising agents – think sebum, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides, which translates physically into that the feeling of dryness and tightness, and for some increased sensitivity and itchiness, which I might add is not just confined to the face, skin on the body can also feel like this too.

Always seek the expertise and advice of a skincare specialist as you will need to reassess your skincare regime to ensure your skin’s needs are being met. This along with the right product choices will ensure that these changes can be easily managed, and skin will be feeling its best. Rad on for some skin barrier boosting products that will help to alleviate dry skin.

The Avène XeraCalm A.D range has been specially formulated for very dry skin, prone to itching and eczema. At the heart of the formula, the patented I-Modulia® active ingredient, helps to strengthen the skin barrier and reduce itchiness and redness. Along with soothing Avène Thermal Spring Water, the formula contains Cer-Omega which helps to replenish the natural skin barrier. The range contains a minimal number of ingredients to minimise the risk of allergy, the products are so gentle, that they can be used on babies, children, adults, and pregnant women alike. The XeraCalm range contains three products – the reformulated XeraCalm Cleansing Oil, the XeraCalm Cream and the XeraCalm Balm. The balm is thicker and intensely nourishing for very dry skin compared to the cream, which is recommended for dry skin, from €19 available from Irish pharmacies nationwide and online at boots.ie.

Irish business C Beauty’s signature hand and body bar is infused with hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin and lock in moisture while organic butters containing shea butter protect the skin barrier and help cracked irritated skin. When applied to skin, it effectively restores hydration, nourishing the skin from within. Shea Butter, a creamy certified organic unrefined shea butter provides both softness and elasticity while giving skin-protecting properties and together with coconut pulp from cold pressed organic coconut oil and ylang ylang, there is a gentle, floral scent. Perfect to keep hands, body and any pesky dry areas nourished, it is beautiful to massage into body post shower or bath. Top Tip! keep next to your bed and apply before bedtime to nourish and repair overnight, €17.50 available online from cbeauty.ie and check out the full range of products using luxury botanical cold pressed oils finely crafted with self-care in mind.

Citrine Healthcare launched the Amuline™ range, a targeted skin care solution for dry and irritated skin which includes four topical products to help the skin’s moisture levels and improve the skin barrier. Amuline Nourish is a rich emulsion to moisturise and reduce the appearance of dry skin. Enriched with natural oils and prebiotics, this nourishing and soothing cream moisturises the skin and absorbs quickly. The use of emollients applied liberally, will moisturise, hydrate, and help maintain the skin barrier to maintain healthy skin. Containing ceramides, prebiotics, niacinamide, evening primrose oil and perilla oil, it can be used on face and body, €14.95, the Amuline™ Derma range is available now in Irish pharmacies and online citrinehealthcare.ie

The latest addition to the CeraVe family, this daily cleanser with its unique foaming oil formula gently cleanses while providing a nourishing comfort that leaves skin on the face and body looking healthy and feeling refreshed. Developed with dermatologists, Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanser with three essential ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid, gently and effectively removes dirt, oil, and impurities from the skin at an optimal pH, while providing up to 24-hour hydration. With triglyceride and squalane – ingredients that can be found naturally in the skin – the unique formula maintains the skin barrier and keeps skin comfortable without feeling greasy. For a nourishing body routine, begin with CeraVe Hydrating Foaming Oil Cleanse and follow with CeraVe’s Moisturising Cream or your body cream of choice, €14 available in pharmacies nationwide.

Cocooning skin with a whipped, cloud-like texture, Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Omega-Rich Cloud Cream delivers plumping hydration, summoning a smooth and radiant appearance as you sleep. The 98.6% naturally derived night cream is infused with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and a proprietary blend of botanicals, helping to supports the skin’s natural protective lipid barrier. Seeking to provide visible results in just seven nights, the antioxidant-rich formula transforms complexions from dry and dull to supple and luminous. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, in a consumer study after four weeks, 94% of participants agreed skin felt nourished with moisture, €46.50 available online from brownthomas.com and arnotts.ie and instore from selected Kiehl’s stockists nationwide.