Caring for Menopausal Skin - Everything You Need to Know

Caring for Menopausal Skin - Everything You Need to Know
by: Carrie E. Pierce
Special to BB[KC]

The skin is very complex.

A living, breathing, renewing organ- it serves as the body's second bowel, third kidney and third lung. As such, it’s capable of absorbing molecularly what is applied to it- so choosing all-natural skin care products that are free of toxic chemicals and endocrine system disruptors – especially during Menopause- is crucial.

The outermost layer of the skin-the epidermis- renews itself approximately every 28 days.
The act of Aging slows this renewal process- and declining hormones also have a tremendous impact on skin health.

From a cellular point of view, aging takes place via three classifications:

> Intrinsic Aging (internal cellular aging that happens normally through metabolism/cellular lifespans)
> Photo Aging (aging that happens due to sun exposure)
> Environmental Aging (aging that happens because of the toxins found in our environment and lifestyle ie: cigarettes, alcohol, extreme weather conditions, pollution, etc.)

Much of having healthy skin is an inside job. There are things that can be done daily-both internally and externally- to care for the skin and keep it radiant, healthy and beautiful- despite Menopause.
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Good skin starts with good Skin Care Basics:
Thorough, gentle cleansing- regular exfoliation- toning- and moisturizing-done both day and night.

Cleansing regularly is extremely important, and removes surface dirt, environmental pollutants and impurities. It's not a step that can be ignored.
First thing in the morning, and a much more thorough cleansing before bed.- each and every day!

Please: NO tugging or pulling around the fragile eye area. -And, try to remember you have a throat! This always-neglected area makes no real protective moisture of its own-- and relies on you to cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize it regularly to keep it healthy and attractive.

Next comes all-important exfoliation.

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This step is vital for skin that is radiant, supple, bright and beautiful. Dead skin cells can build up over time and trap sebum, causing blackheads, whiteheads and pustules. This build-up can also stop moisturizers and other treatments from penetrating and being beneficial to the skin. Regularly exfoliating maturing skin can make a world of difference!

There are many differing schools of thought about just how to go about proper exfoliation.
Agents such as nutshells, sugar, cornmeal, or AHA/BHA acids like fruit acids and/or milk enzymes are all used for the purpose of sloughing dead skin cells.

Application of Toner should immediately follow cleansing.
Toner removes the final traces of cleansing product -and-restores the skin's proper pH-- a very crucial step to healthy skin.

Your Toner should always be alcohol-free. Alcohol is very dehydrating and damaging to mature skin that's already starting to dry out on its own.

Your skin faces major stressors during the day (pollution, cigarette smoking, poor dietary choices, makeup, etc.) and because of these stressors, it saves its major repair work for night.
All this boils down to the need for two different moisturizing treatments, if the skin's moisture and nutrient needs are to be properly met.

Your daytime moisturizer is there to provide moisture, but also: sun protection.
Day moisturizer serves to provide a barrier for the skin that keeps moisture in and pollution/ environmental stressors out. It also assists makeup applied over it to stay smooth on the skin's surface.

Your nighttime moisturizer is your heavy-hitter and should be a moisturizer that’s dual purpose.
Select a moisturizer for night that nourishes, or evens skin tone through the use of vitamins/minerals, or AHA/BHAs or a small percentage of Glycolic acid.
Doing so will assist in achieving healthier/ more radiant skin- faster.

Keeping your diet healthful and your body properly hydrated is KEY-especially during the natural 'drying out' period that occurs with Menopause. Be sure to drink enough high quality water daily, and get enough of the essential fatty acids in your diet.

In terms of an excellent, results-producing basic skin care protocol, this is all you really have to do.
These steps can easily become a 5 minute beauty ritual day and night- and the results will simply astound you. We promise!

About Carrie Pierce and Menopauserus.com
Carrie Pierce has worked exclusively in the skin care, health and beauty industry for over 25 years. She’s a licensed Aesthetician, is certified in Color Analysis and has built a solid, international reputation in the field of holistic, menopausal skin care; specializing in harmful cosmetic ingredients and industry practices. She is a recognized speaker and published writer- having written numerous articles in women’s health and beauty publications and she is Founder and President of Menopauserus.com - The ultimate natural help and support site for women in need of peri menopause and menopause relief.
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Carrie is a member of our Boomer Authority™ community of experts.