Menopause occurs when a woman’s periods stop, this can occur naturally or because of surgery, genetics or cancer treatments. The age this happens can vary from woman to woman but typically it occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, and the periods stop due to lower levels of estrogen and progesterone being produced. The major hormonal shift brings can bring challenges physically, mentally and emotionally, with some women experiencing anxiety, brain fog, hot flushes, disrupted sleep and mood swings. Some women can experience multiple symptoms, or very few as they go through this significant change in life.

These hormonal changes can also affect your skin and how you look after it.

What skin changes can I expect during menopause?

The decline in estrogen production can cause a reduction in sebum (natural oil) production leading to drier skin. Dry skin is very common and usually one of the first changes women will notice in their skin. You may also notice that your skin becomes itchy, red and uncomfortable and it can cause existing skin conditions like rosacea and eczema to flare up. The drop in estrogen affects the production of collagen and elastin which help to keep skin firm and plump. As a result of this, wrinkles can become more pronounced and the tissue in the cheeks and overall face can decrease in volume, losing its firmness.

Skin changes for each woman during menopause will vary greatly and factors such as lifestyle, diet, skincare and genetics all play a part.

A skincare routine for menopause

As your skin goes through increased dryness and sensitivity, it's important to use products that are gentle and will nourish and hydrate your skin without stripping away any of its natural oils (sebum).

Cleansing during menopause

Cleansing will still be an important part of your routine but try not to over wash the skin and limit to once or twice a day (once if your skin is extremely dry). ishga Active Cleansing Lotion is water based and gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin. The lightweight formula won’t be too heavy on your skin while keeping it at a healthy pH level.

Tip: To keep the skin barrier in optimum health use lukewarm water when rinsing off the Cleansing Lotion, if it’s too hot this can lead to drier skin as it will make your skin lose its natural oils.

Moisturising during menopause

To nourish and hydrate your skin during this time, opting for a moisturiser that will combat dry skin while also strengthening the skin barrier is key. A core ingredient to look out for in your products is hyaluronic acid. It plays a vital role in the health of the skin barrier, helping to reduce moisture loss and damaging chemical absorption. It also hydrates and increases the rate of skin cell regeneration and healing.

ishga Hydra+ Marine Cream contains multiple molecular weights of hyaluronic acid to hydrate and nourish different skin layers. Rich in antioxidants due to the Hebridean seaweed extract, it also contains prickly pear oil, which stimulates collagen, brightens, and provides an added boost of hydration. It won Gold in the ‘Age Well Hydrating Heroes’ category at this year's Health & Wellbeing Awards and won the ‘Best Mature Skin’ category at the Beauty Shortlist Awards 2024.

Using a facial oil in the evenings can also help to give your skin a double boost of hydration while you sleep, and your skin repairs itself. Apply the facial oil first, leaving it to absorb for 3-5 minutes before applying your moisturiser.

It is also important to keep the delicate area around your eyes hydrated with a moisturiser that is lightweight yet nourishing. Argan oil in ishga Rejuvenating Eye Balm contains omega fatty acids, vitamin E, and linoleic acids, working to hydrate skin and soften dry areas.

Tip: Apply your moisturiser to slightly damp skin, this will allow optimum penetration of the products into your skin.

Sun protection during menopause

As estrogen reduces, the skin becomes thinner making it more vulnerable to the effects of UV rays which can increase the appearance of pigment spots, skin sagging and wrinkles. Even on cloudy days protection is needed, we would recommend a mineral based, broad spectrum SPF for all-round protection. Remember to stay hydrated and top up SPF often!

Benefits of seaweed skincare during Menopause

There are multiple benefits to using seaweed skincare for during the menopause, here are some of the ways in which it can support your skin health:

Seaweed supports collagen
As the drop in estrogen affects collagen production, using products that support collagen will be beneficial for your skin. Studies show that fucoidan rich seaweed increases collagen production, playing an essential part in the repair and regeneration of the skin. After around the age of 25, collagen production reduces about 1-2% per year and is broken down quicker by an enzyme called collagenase. This can cause wrinkles and reduced elasticity of the skin. Seaweed’s that we hand harvest from the mineral rich waters of the Hebrides have been found to contain bioactive compounds which block this enzyme, resulting in higher levels of collagen.

Seaweed is a potent source of antioxidants
Hebridean seaweed contains high levels of antioxidants. These antioxidants protection against environmental damage to the skin by neutralising free radicals. Free radicals are harmful molecules that exist all around us which can cause inflammation of the skin and accelerate the signs of ageing. Our unique seaweed extracts are used across our skincare range, featuring water-soluble antioxidant molecules to penetrate the skin barrier more effectively, resulting in the prevention of skin blemishes and fine lines.

Seaweed has detoxifying effects
Our vitamin rich Hebridean seaweed contains high levels of polysaccharides. These molecules bind to harmful metal components such as mercury, lead and cobalt that can be found in small amounts in the skin. This reduces the damaging effects they can have, and results in reduced inflammation and improved elasticity of the skin.

Menopause can be a challenging time, but we hope that with the right skincare, you’ll have one less thing on your mind through the changes. If you would like to chat to a skincare expert to get tailored advice for your skin needs, you can book a 1:1 online consultation for free (with a £30 spend) with an ishga therapist. Book your consultation here.