Maintaining hydrated skin can prove a challenge. Today’s pace of life and external factors, like unprotected sun exposure and showering too frequently, contribute to having dry-looking skin. On top of this, some of our common habits get in the way of having healthy skin. For example, an unbalanced diet, poor sleeping habits, not engaging in enough physical activity, drinking too little water, and the use of tobacco (Nichols, 2017).

However, there is another factor women face: menopause. During this time, oestrogen hormone levels drop and impact collagen production, making skin look dry, flaccid, and dull. Aside from oestrogen loss, the skin loses its ability to retain water during menopause. This causes the skin to become dry (AAD, n.d.; Migala, 2020). Are you looking to keep your skin hydrated during menopause? Here is our selection of advice and recommendations. 

Tips to keep a hydrated skin

Use skincare products

If you want to keep hydrated skin during menopause, you need to moisturise every day. But be mindful when choosing your skincare products. For example, use a creamy cleanser instead of foam or gel products, as they usually contain drying ingredients. Also, look for a night moisturiser with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. These components capture and retain water and moisture in order to keep your skin hydrated (Migala, 2020).

Using sunscreen with a photoprotection of 30 or above is important too as it will help you prevent hyperpigmentation and any further thinning of the skin.

Maintain a healthy diet

Having healthy skin during menopause also calls for a balanced diet. Eating food full of antioxidants and vitamins can improve the state of your skin from the inside out. Some of these foods include (Nichols, 2017):

• Green tea
• Olive oil
• Tomatoes
• Mangos
• Soy

Use vitamins and supplements

Taking supplements and vitamins for the skin may also be a good idea to manage menopause symptoms like dry skin. They can even help to minimise or delay the decrease of oestrogen levels. However, before using any of these products, talk to a medical profession first to ensure you do it safely (McDermot, 2019).

Drink water

Drinking enough water not only helps to maintain hydrated skin and fight dryness. It also can help reduce inflammation, which happens due to hormonal changes. Moreover, it can contribute to weight loss.

Drinking water constantly can make you feel satisfied and lightly boost your metabolism. The recommended water intake during menopause is between 8 and 12 glasses a day (Brown, 2022).

Hydrated skin and sleep

Sleeping less than you need may have a significant impact on the health of your skin and premature aging. During deep sleep, your body enters a reparative state, and it regenerates the skin. Also, the body produces collagen during sleep. Since collagen production decreases as a result of menopause, every minute of sleep is vital for healthy, hydrated skin (Nichols, 2017).

Try natural masks

Using masks can help reduce the small lesions that lead to wrinkles. It can also keep skin tissues hydrated. Their fat, amino acid, and antioxidant content contribute to maintaining skin firmness. Some natural products you can use to make these masks are (Mejor con Salud, 2020):

• Banana and honey
• Natural yogurt
• Avocado
• Aloe vera and coconut oil
• Olive oil and oatmeal

Keeping your skin healthy during menopause is possible. Sometimes all you need is to reinforce your daily care routine to improve the way your skin looks. Remember that having hydrated skin is having healthy skin. Always seek the help of a health professional to select the best options for your skin.

References

• American Academy of Dermatology 
• Brown, M. (2022). 11 natural remedies for menopause relief. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-natural-menopause-tips
• McDermott, A. (2019). Can vitamins help alleviate my menopause symptoms? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/vitamins-for-menopause
• Mejor con Salud. (2020). 8 consejos para cuidar la piel en la menopausia. https://mejorconsalud.as.com/8-consejos-cuidar-la-piel-la-menopausia/
• Migala, J. (2020). How to care for your skin as you approach menopause. Everyday Health. https://www.everydayhealth.com/smart-skin/tips-for-caring-for-your-skin-as-you-approach-menopause/
• Nichols, H. (2017). Five life hacks for healthy skin. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320071