Are you noticing that your skin is feeling a little dry, uneven and maybe even a tad itchy? Does your tube of moisturiser seem to constantly be at the dregs, but you’re not seeing any effects?

As we age, the drop in our oestrogen levels affects more than just our mood, temperature regulation and vaginal dryness. Did you know that our skin changes drastically during these hormonal changes too? We’re going to explain how skin ageing and oestrogen go hand in hand, and how you can achieve a younger, more refreshed appearance.

Why does Oestrogen make you look younger?

Our skin is made up of three layers, each built from a collection of proteins, minerals, fats and water-retaining compounds. You may have heard of collagen, which sits in the middle layer, keeping our skin elastic and wrinkle-free. This is where oestrogen plays an important role.

Oestrogen, along with progesterone, is responsible for the production of collagen.

Over the course of menopause, our skin loses around 30% of its collagen, leading to:

• Significant dryness- hyaluronic acid and sebum production drops, causing dehydration in the skin barrier
• Thinner skin- you might find you’re bruising easier or your spots are taking longer to heal
• Increased skin sensitivity- your skin’s barrier has become compromised, meaning it’s more likely to be sensitive to allergens
• Pigmentation changes- you might notice uneven skin tone and age spots
• Increase in acne- the loss in oestrogen sometimes means our male hormones are outweighing the female ones, leading to acne

For many of us, noticing a decline in the condition of our skin is going to cause distress. We begin to wonder what we’ve done wrong, if our products are to blame or if we can ever reverse these changes. The good news is that it is never too late to support your skin health and regain confidence with the right, personalised approach.

“Reduced oestrogen contributes to collagen loss, decreased oil production and impaired barrier function, which is why menopausal skin often becomes drier, more fragile and prone to irritation.” – Dr Fiona MacRae 

How can I look revitalised again?

The world is full of beauty advice, whether that’s in magazine brochures, on billboards in shopping centres or simply shared from family and friends. The truth is it can be tricky to know what’s a selling tactic and what’s genuine advice. That’s why our specialist hormone experts are here to give you the facts.

1. Use mild face cleansers

Unfortunately, acne is a common skin problem for many women during menopause and other hormone conditions. Often, we pile on the products thinking that eventually our spots will clear up, without realising all these products are clogging up our pores, leaving us with more irritation and pimples.

 If you struggled with acne as a teenager, you’ll likely experience more outbreaks at this time. We recommend using a facial cleanser with salicylic acid to clean out your pores and exfoliate dead skin cells. Choosing fragrance-free cleansers to reduce the likelihood of irritation, due to their natural ingredients and lack of harsh chemicals.

2. Reduce alcohol and caffeine

If you’ve noticed hot flushes, or increased redness of your cheeks, it might be time to reduce alcohol and caffeine intake.

Hot flushes during menopause are caused by the drop in oestrogen, as your body struggles to regulate its temperature. This increases the activity of our blood vessels. The likes of alcohol, especially wine, and caffeinated drinks like coffee, dilate your vessels and secrete histamine, increasing your body temperature.

3. Protect yourself from the sun

Hormone changes can cause a skin condition called melasma, which are dark brown or grey patches on the surface of the skin. The colour changes are caused by sun exposure over time, and are more common during menopause, due to an increase in melanin production in localised areas of the skin.

To prevent melasma, we recommend applying SPF 30 sunscreen every day, and definitely while in direct sun. The British Association of Dermatologists suggests reapplying sunscreen every two hours for best protection.

4. Invest in our prescription hormone face cream

Using good-quality nourishing moisturisers can truly transform the appearance and quality of your skin. However, before reaching any store-bought cream, it’s important to recognise exactly what your skin barrier is lacking.

Our doctors at Marion Gluck Clinic prescribe personalised hormone face creams, tailored to your exact needs.

Following a quick consultation with one of our team, you’ll be prescribed a formula completely unique to your skin make-up. Our cream has many proven benefits including:

• Anti-inflammatory activity
• Improvements in skin-thickness
• Improved wound-healing
• Increased moisture
• Improved firmness, texture and hydration

The best part about our face creams is that they are vegan and can be used on all skin types, so if you suffer from sensitive skin, you can rest assured knowing everything in it is anti-allergenic.

Before prescribing your tailor-made face cream, your Marion Gluck doctor will review your medical history and discuss any allergies with you.

So, what are you waiting for? Give your skin what it’s craving.

At Marion Gluck, we prescribe personalised hormone replacement therapies for both men and women. For support with concerns around skin ageing and oestrogen, alongside other hormonal symptoms, contact us today by booking an appointment, or call us on 020 7191 2378. Our clinicians are happy to help.