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Collagen Elastin Menopausal Skin Menopause Peri-Menopause Women's Health

Three Ways Women Can Support Their Menopausal Skin

Written by: My Store Admin

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Published on

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Time to read 6 min

When Does Menopause Begin?

Before menopause, a woman goes through perimenopause, which is the transitioning period when the ovaries slow down their production of hormones. A woman’s cycle can become more unpredictable during this time, and perimenopause can last several years until a woman transitions fully into menopause.


The ending of the menstrual cycle is brought on by a decline in the levels of progesterone and oestrogen (estrone, oestradiol, estriol), which are hormones produced by the ovaries [1]. 


A woman is considered to be in menopause one year after her last period and this generally happens when a woman is in her early 50s, but can happen in a woman’s mid-40s. Menopause does not last forever though, after menopause, a woman is then in the post-menopause phase for the entirety of her life.

How Does Menopause Affect the Skin?

Menopause has a significant impact on a woman’s skin and its functioning at a cellular level. The decline in oestrogen is one of the main drivers in the changing of the skin.

1. Decreased Collagen and Elastin Production

Oestrogen plays an integral role in collagen synthesis due to its working relationship with fibroblasts. Collagen is a vital protein for skin health as it gives integrity, hydration and strength to the skin.


Fibroblasts are located in the dermis (middle) layer of the skin barrier and is one of the most important cells for the formation of the skin due to their involvement in normal growth, healing and wound repair of every tissue in the body. Fibroblasts also make collagen protein, and need oestrogen to bind to the estrogen beta receptors to trigger its production [2].


Fibroblasts are also responsible for the creation of elastin. As oestrogen production reduces, so does elastin production, which is the what gives the skin resiliency, turgor and bounce back. Elastin works in synergy with collagen, which allows the elastin to stretch without breaking.


A reduction in collagen and elastin production presents itself as fine lines, wrinkles, thinning and sagging skin.

2. Dry and Sensitized Skin

Reduction in oestrogen also impacts the production of natural ceramides [3] and hyaluronic acid (HA). Oestrogen acts as a direct chemical messenger that stimulates the production of both of these substances in the skin.


Fifty percent of human skin is composed of ceramides and they act as the glue that holds your skin cells together to give you a hydrated and plump skin barrier. Reduction in ceramides results in the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin barrier) having a more difficult time retaining moisture. The skin barrier also begins to thin during and after menopause [4]. This leads to increase sensitivity and weakening of the skin [5]. 

How to Support the Skin During and After Menopause

1. Increase skin cell turnover

Skin cell turnover also known as skin regeneration, is when the epidermal cells mature and slough off the skin surface revealing new healthy skin cells. This cycle typically runs every 28 to 40 days and is critical to maintaining smooth and healthy skin.


Skin cell turnover promotes even skin tone, increases wound healing time, reduces wrinkles and encourages collagen production.


Some of the best ways to increase skin cell turnover is with naturally derived alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs chemically exfoliate the skin's surface, promoting skin cell turnover. Some of the best naturally derived AHAs for sensitive-menopausal skin include fruit enzymes and lactic acid.  

In addition, there are several plant oils that increase cell turnover with minimal chance of irritation such as: prickly pear seed oil, pomegranate seed oil, and sea buckthorn oil and fruit extract.


Prickly Pear Seed Oil


  • Prickly pear is the expensive carrier oil in the world and is nicknamed "nature's botox" 
  • It is high in amino acids such as glutamic acid, arginine, aspartic acid, and leucine[6]
  • Amino acids enhance skin cell turnover and therefore aid in the skin regeneration process [7]

prickly pear plant


Sea Buckthorn Oil and Fruit Extract 


  • Sea buckthorn oil promotes provides the cellular building blocks and antioxidant protection that is required from tissue regeneration
  • Sea buckthorn is high in carotenoids (pro-vitamin A), which when applied topically, the skin converts the carotenoids into retinol
  • Retinol stimulates the production of new skin cells

sea buckthorn fruit tree



Pomegranate Seed Oil 


  • Pomegranate seed oil increases skin cell turnover by stimulating the primary cells (keratinocytes) found in the outermost later of the skin [8]

pomegranates


2. Increase ceramides for moisturization and replenishing the skin barrier

Ceramides are waxy lipids that make up about 50% of the skin’s outer barrier. They act as the “mortar” holding skin cell “bricks” together. They are essential for locking in moisture, preventing dehydration and protecting the skin from environmental pollutants and germs. 


You often see synthetic ceramides in skincare products, but research demonstrates that phytoceramides from plant fatty acids show better improvements to the stratum corneum than synthetics like ceramide NP.


We love to use oat oil in the Soothing Radiance Balm due to it's naturally high ceramide content. Oat oil works to deposit its natively occurring plant ceramides into the skin barrier to stop transepidermal water loss. Research also demonstrates that oat oil helps the skin increase ceramide production, making it an extremely well-rounded ingredient for skin barrier repair. 


Oat oil has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Oat oil is famed for its high ceramide content and ability to nourish the skin barrier with no known dermal irritation. These unique qualities make oat oil a carrier oil to consider when looking for barrier repair skincare products.

3. Increase collagen and elastin production

Collagen and elastin production happens in the middle layer of the skin (the dermis). As we outlined earlier, collagen is the protein that gives the skin its firmness, while elastin provides the skin its ability to bounce back into place.


Incorporating ingredients that increase collagen and elastin production could therefore assist in tightening and strengthening the skin, softening wrinkles and fine lines.


Fortunately, there are many natural ingredients that are incredible for their ability to increase collagen and elastin production.


Examples of some of our favourite natural ingredients known to increase collagen and elastin production:


  • Avocado Oil
  • Bakuchiol (plant alternative to retinol)
  • Bulgarian Rose Essential Oil
  • Coenzyme Q10
  • Lavender Essential Oil
  • Kakadu Plum Oil
  • Pomegranate Seed Oil
  • Prickly Pear Seed Oil
  • Sea Buckthorn Oil and Fruit Extract
  • Rosehip Seed Oil

We include many of these ingredients in our products because they gently support collagen and elastin production without irritating the skin.

Conclusion

Lastly, please don’t forget to be kind and gentle with yourself. Menopause is a natural phenomenon and so are its effects to the skin. Supporting and loving yourself emotionally and mentally as much as you do with your skincare is just as important! 
woman holding a white rose


The Author: Adisa May is the founder of Adisa May Skincare, a line that utilizes botanical ingredients to create gentle effective formulations. Prior to becoming a beauty entrepreneur she was a lawyer who practiced criminal law Downtown Toronto. Through her research-backed and spiritually guided insights, Adisa shares knowledge and routines that aim to support long term health, skin and spiritual wellness.

References


[1] Motlani, V., Motlani, G., Pamnani, S., Sahu, A., & Acharya, N. (2023). Changed Endocrinology in Postmenopausal Women: A Comprehensive View. Cureus, 15(12). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.51287


[2] Thornton, M. J. (2013). Estrogens and aging skin. Dermato-Endocrinology, 5(2), 264–270. https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.23872


[3] Kendall, A. C., Pilkington, S. M., Wray, J. R., Newton, V. L., Griffiths, C. E. M., Bell, M., Watson, R. E. B., & Nicolaou, A. (2022). Menopause induces changes to the stratum corneum ceramide profile, which are prevented by hormone replacement therapy. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 21715. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-26095-0


[4] Ibid.


[5] Ibid.


[6] AbdelFattah, M. S., Badr, S. E. A., & Elsaid, A. S. (2020). Nutritive value and chemical composition of prickly pearseeds (Opuntia ficus indica L.) growing in Egypt. International Journal of Agricultural Policy and Research, 8(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.15739/IJAPR.20.001i


[7] Noguchi, A., & Djerassi, D. (2009). Amino Acids and Peptides: Building Blocks for Skin Proteins (pp. 287–317). William Andrew Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-8155-2029-0.50022-3

[8] Dimitrijevic, J., Tomovic, M., Jovana Bradic, Petrovic, A., Vladimir Jakovljevic, Marijana Andjic, Jelena Živković, Suzana Đorđević Milošević, Igor Simanic, & Dragicevic, N. (2024). Punica granatum l. (pomegranate) extracts and their effects on healthy and diseased skin. Pharmaceutics, 16(4), 458–458. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics1604045


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