MenoLabs News | Fri, Nov 01, 2019

Perimenopause and menopause can wreak havoc on your skin. Some women develop adult acne during perimenopause as a result of the unpredictable nature of their hormones at this time-- a reaction that mirrors the way some teenagers get acne when they go through puberty. And decreasing hormone levels during menopause can leave your skin feeling dull, dry, and thin making fine lines and wrinkles more visible on your face, neck, and hands. 

Unfortunately, these issues can be uncharted territory for women our age and not all of us know how to care for our changing skin during these times. But these best practices can help you better care for your skin and address the issues you may encounter during your menopause transition. 

How to Heal Your Acne

Acne is not just a teenage problem. It depends a lot on your hormonal balance, which is why the decline in female hormones around menopause might lead to acne. However, your skin in older age is not the same as it used to be. Choose gentler products that include ingredients like salicylic acid to unclog pores alongside moisturizers so you don't over strip your skin leaving it dry and listless. Also avoid common mistakes that people with acne often make: 

• Do not squeeze! You must have heard this as a teenager, but we will repeat it here – do not pop your acne. When you do, you risk pushing bacteria deeper into the skin where it can spread and make the breakout worse.
• If your doctor suggested treatment for your acne, give it about two months to see if it works. Do not stop the treatment sooner because the results might just take some time to show.
• Use your acne cream on all areas of your face and not just the blemishes. This should help you prevent new breakouts.
• Do not wash your face too often, because that can irritate your gentle skin. Twice a day is enough for skin health.
• Avoid scrubs. Maybe you used them before, but having acne, you should stay away from them. Use a mild oil or foam cleanser instead.
• Eat more fiber. Diets rich in fiber help to improve your gut flora so you can heal your symptoms from the inside.

Probiotics for Acne Skin Problems

Often women do not find topical creams and medications working for their acne. If this is the case with you, consider healing your skin from the inside. Research suggests that inflammatory skin conditions like acne are related to an imbalance of bacteria in your gut. As a result, restoring a healthy microflora in your digestive system may improve your skin problems. 

Another study found that a specific strain of Lactobacillus reuteri offers an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect. Based on this, these probiotic live bacteria could help against pathogenic, bad bacteria on your skin and contribute to skin health in general. Acne is an inflammatory condition, which is why probiotics with anti-inflammatory effects would be very beneficial.

How To Care for Thinning Skin

About 30% of collagen is lost during just the five years after a woman enters menopause, with subsequent loss of 2% every year, leaving you with thinner skin than you had before. Skin starts to sag, becomes less firm, and fine lines can deepen into full blown wrinkles. And that's fine! We're not supposed to look the same as we did in our 20s and 30s. However, thinning skin can be uncomfortable especially if it is on the drier side. That's why you want to treat your skin with care during this time. 

• The sun damages skin and zaps it of moisture, so limit your exposure and use an adequate sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher.
• To remedy dry skin, include products that contain The Big 3 Hydrators: humectants that draw moisture in, emollients that soothe inflammation, and an occlusive that keeps the work your humectants and emollients are doing locked in.
• Consider your environment. Sleeping with a humidifier can help reintroduce moisture into your skin, especially when used in combination with your humectant skincare products. 

Probiotics for Wrinkles and Fine Lines Skin Problems

In case topical applications do not work, or if you want to improve the appearance of your skin even more, probiotics might be just the right solution for that. These good bacteria work to help your skin heal and prevent it from further damage. One study found the effect of a particular strain of Lactobacilli to enhance the repair of damaged skin and prevent skin aging and the formation of wrinkles.

Probiotics are an excellent way to hydrate your skin, support it from the inside, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. These healthy bacteria could also help improve the elasticity of your skin. As a result, the dryness and thinning of skin could be healed to some extent with probiotics. They offer benefits that anti-aging creams and other skincare products alone cannot provide most of the time. In addition, probiotics help your body get rid of the free radicals and toxins inside your body, which cause damage to your skin and make it age faster.  

Acne is a problem that can occur at any age. However, in menopause, it is especially unpleasant because women have other symptoms that affect their body image and self-confidence. Drying and thinning skin, fine lines, and wrinkles also can make you not want to look in the mirror. But, taking steps to heal your acne with probiotics can improve your gut health and in turn, help you look younger and feel better in your own skin.