menopause, motivation and more

Moisturisers

Perimenopause and menopause often changes our skin. I’ve tended to veer on the oily side in my younger days, now my skin craves moisture. I use serums rich in plant oils, and to this day moisturisers containing shea butter and coconut oil.

My mum used olive oil on our skin the first few years of our lives and Vaseline as a barrier cream. I can’t remember not moisturising! After swimming lessons at primary school I’d be busy moisturising, of course the last to be ready. Friends can vouch for this! Dark skin if not moisturised appears dull and ashy. Coconut oil, and shea butter moisturisers were a staple in our house, least I forget Vaseline.

Moisturisers continue to be a must, protecting the upper layers of my skin, helping to slow down the ageing process. Moisturisers form a barrier that traps water within the epidermis to help reduce moisture loss. The skin’s ability to retain moisture reduces with age.

Itchy skin

Itchy skin may also effect some ladies during menopause due to the falling of estrogen. I know ladies who have experienced tingling, and a crawling sensation. In these situations as difficult as it may be, refrain from scratching, try to keep your body cool, stay hydrated and moisturised.

Dull or wrinkled skin

Heading towards our fifties and beyond wrinkles usually appear whether we’ve done all the things including eating nutritionally well or not. Estrogen is needed to build collagen, this is the protein that supports the skin’s structure. Also it’s key to maintaining blood to the upper layer of the skin helping to keep it hydrated. The decline in estrogen results in less elasticity, dullness, fine lines, less plump and glow. Thankfully our skin continues to renew from the base layer so we can concentrate on encouraging strong healthy cells through what we drink and eat.

Acne

Acne is not only annoying during teenage years but ladies experience it during menopause, sometimes for the first time. Changes in testosterone can trigger increased amounts of sebum. Sebum causes greasy skin, along with dead skin blocks your hair follicles giving us breakouts.

Sunscreen

Tanning and sunbathing has never been a priority for me. Those who know me or have scanned these pages know I’m dark skinned and of Bajan parentage. I was told by my mum from the get go we didn’t need a tan and to always sit in the shade or go indoors at the hottest times of the day. I even have a photo of my mum walking along a beach in Barbados, umbrella in hand!

I’ve been fortunate from the start to always protect my skin plus I have the equivalent of factor 15 built in! I wear sunscreen daily on my face and neck. And ladies yes, yes I’ve experienced being burnt. On my first skiing trip to Austria, I underestimated the power and strength of the rays. I’ve upped the ante of my SPF.

The least sun damage to our skin the better, it’s also less ageing. Wearing sunscreen for me is non negotiable. I feel the better condition my skin the better results I gain from treatments and products. I always use a sunscreen with UVA and UVB. UVA can cause premature ageing, wrinkles and age spots. UVB rays are responsible for burning and tanning.

Are you moisturising? Using a sunscreen?