The “M” word, a word which many women have been taught to dread. And no, we’re not talking about “men”, at least not in this article. The word we’re referring to is menopause.
It seems that a condition that affects half the world’s population, is often times swept under the rug. Most especially in the beauty industry and its respective marketing strategies. Here at Embassy of Beauty however, we want to educate our clients on what menopause is, and empower them with knowledge on how to support their skin through the changes that naturally occur during this time.
Skin Changes
As women naturally age, they undergo a gradual transition marked by the end of their monthly periods, primarily due to hormonal changes, such as decline in estrogen levels. This transition, known as menopause, doesn't occur suddenly; rather, it typically begins several years prior. While the onset generally falls within the range of 45 to 55 years old, the timing can vary significantly from person to person.
Menopause signifies a new phase in a woman's life, one that encompasses various changes and challenges. However, it's important to note that it doesn't signify the end of womanhood; many women continue to flourish in numerous aspects during and after this stage.
While menopause affects various aspects of a woman's life, this blog will focus primarily on the changes that occur in the skin. The decline in estrogen levels, essential for maintaining skin elasticity, collagen production, and moisture retention, inevitably leads to alterations in the skin's appearance and texture. Although each individual's skin reacts differently during menopause, resulting in unique symptoms, some common changes include increased skin dryness, loss of volume, and occurrences of redness or hot flashes.
Adapting Your Skincare
As our skin undergoes these transformations, it's crucial to adapt our skincare routine to meet its evolving needs, ensuring it remains balanced and healthy.
Starting with replacing that foaming cleanser with a more suitable option. As we always say at the Embassy of Beauty, your routine is only as good as your cleanser. Whatever cleanser you start off with, it can make a huge difference on the rest of your product performance.
Biologique Recherche’s Lait E.V is a saviour for dry, mature skin with increased sensitivity. Its nutrient dense formulation aids in the immediate hydration and nourishment of tight, dilapidated skin. A gentle milk cleanser is formulated with coconut-derived esters to effectively cleanse away impurities without stripping your skin. The addition of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, Tsubaki oil and raspberry oils supports skin regeneration while providing essential antioxidant protection. The formula is further enriched with avocado and luffa oils that work to restore lost lipids and reinforce skin barrier to improve hydration retention. The skin is left soft, refreshed and comfortable. 
Change of Skin Texture
Another common concern women experience is change in skin’s texture. Many women notice that skin is more coarse and not as soft to the touch. The main reason for this is that the skin renewal process slows down dramatically in this period (no pun intended). While it takes 28-35 days in your younger years to renew, during and after menopause it can take up to 50 days, almost double the amount of time. That accumulation of dead skin cells and increased skin dryness is what leads to the rough texture you may be noticing.
So, what to do? Well, when it comes to texture, the most effective way to combat scaly skin is through exfoliation. Now, we’re not saying to get out the iron scour and begin scrubbing away at your face. Generally speaking, because of how sensitive skin can be at this stage of life, we recommend staying away from abrasive physical exfoliants entirely. The rule of thumb is that gentle acids and enzymes are your new best friend. These ingredients work by dissolving the “glue” that holds your dead skin cells together allowing them to shed off more easily and encouraging faster renewal process
Sapelo Anti-Ageing Enzyme Mask is perfect for ridding your skin of any patchy flakiness and boosting the skin cell renewal to improve the overall look and feel of your skin without irritation.
A base of honey and algae infuse skin the skin with dewy hydration while supporting skin’s repair processes, soothing and calming. A mix of blackthorn, apricot, and wild cherry fruits that are rich in naturally occurring mandelic acid refine and resurface the skin, restoring its natural radiance. This innovative formula also harnesses the benefits of softening enzymes from pumpkin seed extract that work synergistically alongside yeast peptide to supercharge skin renewal while maintaining gentleness on the skin.
Restoring Radiance
To further encourage skin regeneration, gently mist Irene Forte Helichrysum Toner over the face, neck, and décolleté. This multi-benefit toner features a blend of natural ingredients, including Helichrysum Water, prebiotic Saccharide Isomerate, and antioxidant-rich Organic White Wine. Designed to tighten, tone, and hydrate the skin, it addresses the loss of natural firmness and volume that often accompanies the ageing process.
This toner is especially beneficial for menopausal skin, as collagen, essential for maintaining plump, resilient skin, diminishes significantly during this time. In fact, collagen degradation can reach up to 30% in the first five years post-menopause, followed by a gradual decline of 2% annually for the subsequent two decades. With its convenient spritzing mechanism, the Irene Forte Helichrysum Toner can be effortlessly applied anytime, helping to promote a more youthful, plump complexion.
To follow your morning or evening spritz, reach for the Sapelo Spring Tide Serum. This innovative serum works to increase collagen production by 350%. It achieves this through the use of Arctic Salmon Caviar, which also stimulates an increase of elastin by 120%. Just like collagen, elastin production slows with menopause. While collagen keeps the skin plump, elastin aids in the prevention of fine lines. Maximising the output of both can keep the skin looking youthful for a longer period of time. The lightweight serum also adds a layer of nourishment while boosting hydration with beta glucan and hyaluronic acid.
Strengthening The Skin's Barrier Function
As you’re well aware, a good moisturiser can make or break the products that came before. Thankfully for us, cosmetic development has evolved to where we have concoctions for all skin types and concerns. That includes menopausal skin. Crème MSR-H from Biologique Recherche is one such product. With a potent blend of active ingredients, including regenerating shiitake mushroom, protecting vitamin E and lipid restoring polysaccharide, it firms and revitalises the skin, reducing wrinkles and fine lines. By restoring lipids and enhancing hydration, it strengthens the skin's barrier function, minimising dryness and tightness commonly experienced during menopause. Additionally, its antioxidant properties shield the skin from oxidative stress, effectively slowing down the aging process. The skin will be left feeling comfortable and rejuvenated.
You may pair it with Biologique Recherche Crème MSR-H Corps, a body cream created to rebalance and re-densify the skin below the neck. As menopause affects skin all over, applying an anti-ageing moisturiser on your body can ensure you target the hormonal changes from head to toe. During menopause, the skin begins to lose elasticity, resulting in a slack and loose appearance. Crème MSR-H Corps contains monk pepper berry that visibly firms and tones skin. A blend of glycoproteins and Hop Extract deeply moisturise the skin, helping it regain smoothness and softness with regular use. 
Tempting as it may be to stop your routine with these miracle products, we guarantee incorporating a separate night cream for your face will not only enhance the results from Crème MSR-H, but prolong its benefits as well.
Irene Forte Hibiscus Night Cream is the perfect accompanying moisturiser for your evening routine. Featuring a complex of four skin rejuvenating ceramides, it works in conjunction with olive oil to support the repair of skin’s natural barrier. Green pea polypeptides and clinically proven Myoxinol™, extracted from hibiscus seeds, dramatically reduce the appearance of deep-seated wrinkles and lines. While you sleep, the skin is nourished, so you may wake up to a noticeable boost in skin health.
Don't Forget About the Eyes
Never forgetting the eyes, the Irene Forte Olive Eye Cream, an all-in-one treatment, contains a powerhouse of ingredients to target fine lines, dark circles and puffiness. Hyaluronic acid binds water to skin, instantly tightening the eye area. Niacinamide has a brightening effect, which helps to even skin tone appearance, illuminating skin. Don’t be fooled by its lightweight consistency, aloe vera juice and olive oil fractions simultaneously hydrate and nourish to renew eyes.
Menopause can also result in increased stress level, disturbed sleep, bothersome hot flashes.
To help ease your mind and prepare for a restful night's sleep, consider lighting up the Josephine Candle from Trudon. This exquisite candle creates a soothing ambiance with its floral notes of Rose, Jasmine, Camellia, and Iris, enveloping you in a tranquil sanctuary.
Sudden Surges of Heat
For those pesky hot flashes, turn to the Biologique Recherche Cryo Sticks. These handy tools are designed to combat the sudden surges of heat caused by hormonal changes during menopause. Simply chill them in the fridge, then glide them lightly over your skin along with a few drops of Ayuna's Cellular Oil. This refreshing combination not only cools and calms your body but also rejuvenates your senses, offering much-needed relief from the discomfort of hot flashes.
Menopause is something all women go through, and while it may seem daunting, it can be approached with grace. Equipping yourself with adequate knowledge and understanding of the process can ease the side effects that come with it, keeping your skin at its best for as long as possible.
Thank you for reading and we look forward to seeing you next week!
