As we journey through life, our bodies inevitably undergo various transformations; for women, one of the most significant of these is the menopause.
Beyond its well-known impact on hormones and overall well-being, menopause can also leave its mark on the canvas of our skin.
The skin, the body’s largest organ, is intricately connected to hormonal fluctuations. As hormone levels decline during menopause, a series of changes can unfold. From shifts in texture and tone to the emergence of new challenges, understanding these changes is the first step towards embracing this new chapter of beauty and self-care.
One of the main changes seen during menopause is a decline in the body’s ability to manufacture collagen. Though the signs of ageing can differ between individuals, the decrease in collagen can cause fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of hydration.
In addition to the previously mentioned effects, menopausal changes can manifest in several other ways that significantly impact the skin. These effects encompass not only the visible surface but also delve deeper into the skin’s composition and functionality. Additional indicators are:
- Wrinkles and sagginess
- Dull skin tone that lacks radiance
- Dryness
- Adult acne
- Redness and rosacea
- Pigmentation alterations
- Becoming more reactive, both to ingredients and the environment
- More prone to allergic reactions
Changes to hormone levels
As each hormone plays a vital role in the function of our skin, fluctuations in these hormone levels are linked to the acceleration of ageing skin. Being perimenopausal can also exacerbate existing skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis, as this transition will trigger fluctuations in hormone levels and pH of the skin.
During menopause, there are three key hormones that cause changes to the look and feel of your skin: oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Oestrogen
Research shows that women see a 30% reduction in collagen during the first five years of menopause. Oestrogen helps to stimulate collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production, which helps the skin to stay plump and firm.
Progesterone
Progesterone stimulates the production of sebum from the oil glands in the skin. It can cause the skin to swell and compress the pores from which the sebum is excreted. The rise in progesterone levels during menopause can contribute to an accumulation of skin oils, potentially intensifying the symptoms of acne.
Testosterone
Testosterone, which is typically present during menstruation, works similarly to progesterone by activating the sebaceous glands to produce oil. During menopause, the increase in testosterone is a common occurrence for women who may experience oily skin and spots for the first time in their lives.
As your skin undertakes a period of significant transformation, the products that once served you well in your skin care routine may now find themselves less effective in addressing these pronounced changes.
Rethink your skin care routine
The Platina Team encourages all women to rethink their skin care routine as their menopausal journey begins.
Try to avoid:
- The use of chemical sunscreens (unless they contain zinc or titanium), which can impact the skin biome.
- Using heavily fragranced products.
- Long and frequent hot showers using harsh scrubs and exfoliants.
- Refined sugars, carbohydrates and trans fats, as they affect the gut microbiome which will in turn affect the skin.
How Platina can help menopausal skin
The Platina Skin Therapy System nourishes the skin with active ingredients and helps promote the production of collagen, which naturally declines with ageing. Tailoring the dosage of the Platina Skin Therapy System products to the specific needs of your skin is key.
Amidst menopause, the natural rhythm of skin cell renewal diminishes, accompanied by reduced sebum production. As a result, the skin’s radiance and vibrancy can wane, highlighting the need for diligent care. In countering this transformative phase, the Platina Skin Therapy System works to restore and rejuvenate your skin’s radiance.
1: Wash with the Platina Skin Cleanser once or twice a day instead of soap.
Soap should unequivocally be avoided, as it elevates the skin’s pH levels, strips its natural oils, and causes inflammation. Moreover, the use of soap inflicts notable damage to the protective skin barrier, disrupting its essential function and unsettling the delicate balance of the skin’s beneficial microbial community known as the skin microbiome.
Soap stands in stark contrast with the skin’s natural acidic pH (ranging from 4.5 to 6), and is an alkaline pH of 9 or even higher. Recognising this disparity, the Platina Skin Therapy range has been crafted to maintain a pH equilibrium, negating the necessity for an additional toner product.
2: Apply moisturiser after bathing and when the skin feels dry
The Platina Replenishing Cream is fragrance-free and ultra-hydrating. This formula will heal the barrier of your skin and restore the skin’s microbiome. The Platina Replenishing Cream contains hyaluronic acid, (HA) and Ceramide 3, both of which are especially helpful to dry menopausal skins.
3: Avoid heavy fragrances
As heavy fragrances can cause irritation to unbalanced skin, all of the Platina Skin Therapy System products are gently fragranced. Our gentle citrus scent called “Slice of Serenity” is dermatologically tested for sensitivity. The hypoallergenic fragrance enhances the experience of the system without causing irritation in 99% of clients.
4: Use Platina’s Rejuvenating Serum
For individuals with dry skin, the Platina Rejuvenating Serum is optimally prescribed for evening application, infusing much-needed moisture and rejuvenation. Conversely, for those with oily skin, the serum’s benefits extend to twice-daily usage.
This product is effective at combating symptoms of acne. It contains giant molecules of non-irritating PHA (polyhydroxy acids) – gluconolactone and lactobionic acid – which “sweep” the upper layer of skin causing a mild exfoliation without irritation at a pH of 4.0. Platina’s Rejuvenating Serum contains an impressive secret ingredient: medical grade honey, used for its humectant nature to ensure skin hydration, without the need for additional oils.
5: Decrease collagen breakdown with Platina Night
Embracing cutting-edge technology, Platina Night features microencapsulated retinol. We advise initiating with a gentle dosage and gradually escalating your regimen every two weeks, following our meticulously crafted regimes accessible via the PlatinaSkin app.
Retinol is an effective antiaging ingredient offering a number of exceptional benefits tailored to menopausal skin, including:
- Enhanced cell exfoliation
- Evening pigment production
- Increased the number of dermal fibroblasts – the most important cell that controls skin aging
- Increased collagen and elastin production
- Decreased collagen breakdown enzymes
Platina Night also contains rich plant-based fats and butters so your skin will be smoothing while you sleep. Both Platina Day and Platina Night contain niacinamide, a B vitamin that supports the skin barrier, helps with redness and inflammation and helps lock in moisture.
The Platina Skin Therapy system will greatly help menopausal skin. The system contains higher concentrations of potent medical grade active ingredients in a rich buttery stable formulation. Contact us today for further information about our products, or for entry to the exclusive Platina Club and secure your place among a select group of individuals who are passionate about elevating their skin care journey.