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Traditionally, people going through menopause have been served a double-edged sword when it comes to the beauty industry. They’re simultaneously targeted by anti-aging marketing and made to feel invisible by it. Now, however, beauty brands are working to destigmatize menopause and change the narrative around getting older by featuring midlife women in marketing campaigns, speaking about the uncomfortable parts of menopause and launching menopausal skin care to specifically serve this life transition.
Menopause happens to anyone who menstruates, and it comes with a number of side effects, such as hot flashes and insomnia. These changes start as the body gradually stops ovulating, in what’s known as perimenopause. Once it’s been 12 months since your last period, you’re officially in menopause. In addition to the most-well-known symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, the changes can also affect the skin.
“Menopause is characterized by a decrease in estrogen production and many women recognize skin changes that come along with this,” said Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta Skin Care. “Skin can become drier and have a loss of elasticity that leads to sagging and more pronounced lines and wrinkles.”
While anti-aging products aren’t going anywhere, there’s now more of a focus on skin longevity and supporting skin heath rather than trying to turn back the clock. Instead of fighting the signs of aging, a skin care routine tailored to menopausal skin can help support its health and function. But before we get into the details of the best menopausal skin care routine, it’s significant to note that menopausal beauty goes beyond products and trends. The experts we spoke to echoed the desire to erase the belief that menopause correlates to a decreased quality of life.
“It’s important to reframe the idea that women should expect certain changes as we near menopause, as if it’s any different a moment than what occurs in the normal course of aging that happens to everyone,” said Sandra Chiu, the founder of Lanshin, a licensed acupuncturist and an herbalist who holds a Master of Science in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Ahead, we speak to the experts about what exactly menopausal skin care is and what the best menopausal skin care routine should include.
Spot Commerce Media
