Skin care products for menopausal women

Why does skin change around menopause?

Dry, itchy skin can occur during perimenopause as well as after menopause. Falling estrogen reduces the skin's ability to retain moisture and decreases production of collagen, the protein that helps support skin. Women also gradually produce less skin oil after menopause, making moisture harder to hold onto. Aging itself thins the outer skin layer and reduces strength and elasticity. Sun exposure adds further changes, including wrinkles and pigment spots. These overlapping changes explain why a cleanser or moisturizer that once suited you can become a poor fit.234

What should you buy first?

Many antiaging products are cosmetics, not medicines, and do not need testing in humans or FDA approval before sale. Antiaging cosmetics can reach the shelf without human testing, which gives the lettering on the jar a considerable head start. Choose products for the concern you want to address, not for the number of promises on the packaging.6

How should you use the basics?

1. 1Cleanse your face and neck once daily if skin is dry, or twice daily if it is not. Use warm water and a mild cleanser rather than regular bar soap. Avoid scrubs with small particles.
2. 2Apply moisturizer after washing while skin is still damp. Cover the face and neck, rather than treating only the visibly dry patches.
3. 3Finish the morning routine with sunscreen. Cover the face, ears, neck and any other skin that clothing will not cover.

Which moisturizer makes sense for dry skin?

Moisturizer traps water in the skin, helping fine lines look less noticeable. Moisturizer traps water in the skin, a useful job description that does not require the word 'miracle'. Use a facial moisturizer every day, alongside body moisturizer and lip balm where needed. A thicker facial moisturizer can be useful in winter when skin gets drier. A combined moisturizer and sunscreen can also work for the morning routine. Moisturizing improves the appearance of dryness; treating wrinkles or sun spots is a separate reason to consider a targeted product.15

What if products start irritating your skin?

For sensitive skin, avoid fragrance, added colors and alcohol listed as SD alcohol or denatured alcohol. Choose bland products with little to no scent. Do not keep using a product that aggravates your skin. Redness or a rash needs medical assessment because eczema, rosacea and allergic reactions can resemble routine dryness. Buying a stronger treatment before identifying the problem can make irritation worse.2

Do not stop moisturizing at your jaw

Dryness can affect the body as well as the face. Use lotions, creams or ointments every day, and avoid strongly drying or heavily perfumed soaps. Moist skin is more comfortable and heals more quickly. Aging skin is also more fragile: rubbing or pulling can cause tears, and wounds heal more slowly than in younger skin. Gentle handling matters as much as the product you choose. Bath oils are not a good solution because they make the tub slippery and increase the risk of falling.46

Keep showers short and use warm rather than hot water. Hot showers strip natural oils and worsen dryness. Moisturize immediately after toweling off, while skin is still damp.2

Which sunscreen should you use?

Choose broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher with water resistance. Broad spectrum protection covers UVA and UVB, the two types of ultraviolet rays. Apply sunscreen every day before going outdoors, including in winter. Put it on 15 to 30 minutes before going outside and reapply at least every two hours, with more frequent application after swimming, sweating or rubbing skin with a towel. A wide brimmed hat, protective clothing and shade add protection. Sunscreen helps prevent new age spots as well as protecting against sun damage.146

Should you add retinol?

Retinoids are compounds derived from vitamin A. They increase collagen and can reduce wrinkles and sun spots. For a product containing retinol or adapalene, use a pea sized amount over the whole face before bedtime. Start every three days and increase toward nightly use as skin becomes tolerant. Watch for redness, significant peeling or irritation; do not increase use while these are happening. Retinoids make skin sensitive to sunlight, so use them at night and maintain sun protection. There is no single percentage or results timeline that applies to every formula.5

Tretinoin is a prescription retinoid used for sun related aging and other skin conditions. It is a medical treatment, not simply another moisturizing cream. Most creams do not penetrate beyond the epidermis, the outer skin layer. Most creams stay within the outer skin layer, which puts a practical ceiling on the ambitions of a luxurious jar. Judge a moisturizer by its moisturizing role rather than expecting every cream to perform like a prescription treatment.27

What about dark spots and breakouts?

• For dark spots, creams bought without a prescription do not always work. A dermatologist can discuss prescription treatments such as tretinoin, or procedures such as peels and lasers.
• For postmenopause acne, avoid reaching straight for the strongest acne product. Many are too harsh and drying for adult skin. Try a gentle cleanser containing salicylic acid; seek prescription help if products bought without a prescription are not working.

When should a doctor check your skin?

Get medical advice for very dry, itchy skin rather than repeatedly switching creams. Check your skin monthly and arrange assessment for a new growth, a sore that does not heal or a bleeding mole. A mark that changes shape, color, size or symptoms also needs attention. Skin cancer is rarely painful, so discomfort is not a reliable way to decide whether a mark needs checking.6