How can menopause affect your skin?
Menopause is a normal part of aging that isn’t talked about enough—so we’re going to start. This stage of life technically begins one year after your last menstrual cycle (normally in your fifties), but many of the effects are felt as early as your thirties in the stage of wavering estrogen levels called perimenopause. These can include irregular periods, not to mention hot flashes, sleep problems, and changes in your skin. But menopause and your skin (or perimenopause and your skin) don’t have to be enemies. In fact, with a thoughtful, consistent anti-aging routine, skincare can be a way to feel connected to your body at a time when it is shifting. After all—aging is a privilege, especially when you do it the smart way.
What can happen to your skin during perimenopause or menopause?
One big change is that your skin loses some of its natural ability to retain water, because glycans, which are the natural moisturizing molecules within your skin, start to reduce in both amount and efficiency And your skin’s moisture barrier, the outer layer of skin which locks in hydration, can become weaker. Another common change is the decrease in production of collagen, which can lead to the appearance of more wrinkles and increased sagging.
With such complex and multi-faceted aging effects, using the right skincare for you is key to seeing results.
What are some ingredients to look for in skincare?
When curating our best anti-aging skincare routine, look for ingredients like peptides, retinoids, and hyaluronic acid. These heavy hitters work to help strengthen, resurface, and draw in moisture, which in turn help to plump skin and reduce the look of wrinkles. The Smart Clinical Repair line, when used together, integrates all of these key ingredients in formulas designed for skin of multiple ages and concerns.
Take Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum. Its formula is composed of 9.5% fortifying peptides to help reduce the look of wrinkles and sagging. A next-generation retinoid was added to help accelerate cell turnover and help smooth skin’s texture. This power ingredient was chosen for its potent resurfacing and gentle touch—so gentle that you can use it twice a day. (Many retinoids are so intense and irritating that they can only be used at night.)
Post-menopausal skin can require more intense hydration, so if you’re looking for your best moisturizer for aging skin over 60, follow up your serum with the Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Cream. Just dipping a toe in perimenopause? You might be seeing the first signs of aging—usually the fine lines known as crows’ feet. Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream helps strengthen your delicate dermal support structure around the eyes for smoother, youthful-looking skin.
What else to keep in mind as you start this next phase?
Menopause and perimenopause are a natural part of life: the continuation of growing into yourself and the ebb and flow of your journey. Clinique is here for you every step of the way, as you face the future with your smartest skin ever.
