Introduction: A Journey of Transformation
Welcome to a transformative journey of self-care. As we navigate through the seas of menopause, a period of profound change and renewal, it's essential to embrace this natural transition with grace and understanding. Sally, a Health Coach and Menopause Wellbeing Practitioner, and I, Gemma from Puremess, delve into menopausal skincare, highlighting the importance of natural ingredients for nourishing and supporting our skin during this significant life stage.
Sally's Story: A Personal Menopause Journey
Hi, I’m Sally. In my early 40s, I battled various health concerns, including gut health issues, sleep disturbances, mood swings, eczema, and itchy skin. Initially attributing these to diet and stress, I later realised they were symptoms of perimenopause. My journey led me to become a Health Coach, and I'm now passionate about helping other women improve their menopause symptoms through natural, holistic approaches.
Gemma's Story: A 'forced into' Menopause Journey
Hi, I'm Gemma. I had a hysterectomy when I was 46 and entered the menopause the next day! I also take tamoxifen, an anti-cancer drug that suppresses your hormones. I feel I've been fairly lucky with symptoms but I suffer quite badly with hot flushes and dry skin. Due to having had cancer a holistic approach was really important to me in order to manage my symptoms.
The Importance of Natural Skincare with Puremess
Gemma and I have partnered to write this article because natural skincare is vital for maintaining healthy skin and hormone balance during menopause. Many skincare products contain chemicals like parabens and phthalates, which can disrupt hormone balance and exacerbate menopause symptoms. We advocate for using natural skincare and cosmetics, especially during perimenopause and menopause, to avoid toxic overload.
Menopause, typically occurring in women in their 40s or 50s, brings a symphony of changes, particularly to the skin. The decline in oestrogen affects skin health, leading to dryness, loss of elasticity, wrinkles, and thinning skin. We also see increased sensitivity and potential for skin irritation.
Embracing Natural Skincare During Menopause
To combat these changes, we recommend hydrating, collagen-supporting, and gentle skincare products. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid, plant-based oils, and natural butters are particularly beneficial during this time. Menopause is an opportunity to celebrate a new chapter in life and treat our skin with kindness and understanding, using nature’s healing touch.
The Need for Tailored Skincare in Menopause
Menopause signals a time to reassess and adapt our skincare routines. Enhanced sensitivity, increased dryness, reduced collagen, and slower skin cell renewal are key challenges. Embracing nurturing and restorative ingredients in our skincare can mitigate these issues and help us embrace this phase with confidence and grace.
Conventional Skincare Concerns and Natural Alternatives
We must be mindful of conventional skincare ingredients during menopause. Chemicals like parabens, sulphates, artificial fragrances, and certain alcohols can harm sensitive, menopausal skin. Turning to gentle, natural alternatives is not just a preference but a necessity during menopause.
Puremess: Nurturing Menopausal Skin
At Puremess, our commitment to nurturing menopausal skin is reflected in our choice of natural ingredients. Hyaluronic acid, peptides, Jojoba oil, argan oil, rosehip oil, shea butter, beeswax, lavender, chamomile extracts, and vitamin E are some of our key ingredients, each chosen for its ability to support and rejuvenate menopausal skin.
Not only is what you put on your skin important, but also what you put in your body. Sally emphasizes a nutrient-dense diet, particularly the Mediterranean diet, during menopause. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and proteins is crucial for skin health, hormone balance, and overall well-being.
It’s recommended to eat 5 fruit and veg a day but if you can eat 7 a day that is optimal. I love to use the expression, eat the rainbow. This means eating fruit and veg of all different colours to ensure you are getting all the vital vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for optimal skin health. Each colour has a different health benefit, for example, beta-carotene in orange fruit and veg such as carrots and sweet potatoes is important for skin cell development and healthy skin tone. Lutein in some green veg such as kale, broccoli and spinach protects against oxidative damage which causes dry skin and wrinkles. Vitamin C which is found in oranges, kiwis, broccoli and red peppers is key for producing collagen to keep skin firm and strong. Vitamin C also helps blemishes heal and reduces dry skin.
Healthy fats are important to eat first during perimenopause and menopause because hormones are produced from cholesterol. Healthy fats also act as a natural moisturiser for the skin, helping to keep it supple and elastic. Healthy fats include avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds and oily fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel). Omega 3’s in healthy fats also help to reduce inflammation which cause redness and acne.
Eating Protein with every meal is important during the menopause transition. Protein contributes to collagen production to keep skin strong, plump and flexible. In addition, protein supports muscle maintenance which is essential at this time of life because muscle declines with age. We also lose bone density due to the decline of oestrogen during menopause and eating protein supports bone health.
Phytoestrogens are the superfoods of perimenopause and menopause.
Phytoestrogens are plant based compounds that act in a similar way to our own
body’s oestrogen and therefore help with hormone balance. Oestrogen plays an important role in skin health including supporting skin structure, improving skin dryness and protection against skin damage. Phytoestrogens include lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, flaxseeds and soya based products such as tofu. I love to add flaxseeds to my porridge in the morning, throw in chickpeas to all my curries and salads and I just love houmous.
If you fancy trying out some recipes for yourself look here!
Lifestyle Habits
When we’re stressed, cortisol (our stress hormone) is released which may cause a hormone imbalance that triggers menopause symptoms or makes
them worse. We can’t avoid stress in our lives but we can learn to manage it.
Some great ways to manage stress are walking in nature, breathing
techniques, yoga, meditation or a relaxing bath. Find something that you
enjoy that helps you to relax.
Daily movement and exercise will support your overall health and wellbeing
during menopause. It’s vital for hormone balance, heart health, bone and
muscle health as well as lifting your mood and supporting mental health.
Think about ways you could add some more movement into your day e.g.
Taking a walk in your lunch break or join a fun dance class with a friend.
A Holistic Approach to Menopause
Together, Sally’s health coaching and Puremess skincare offer a holistic approach to navigating menopause. This transformative phase demands not only internal health support through diet and stress management but also mindful consideration of the products we use externally. Our skin, the largest organ, is particularly vulnerable during menopause, making the choice of skincare critically important.
The Impact of Toxicity on Well-being
In our journey towards holistic health, it’s crucial to recognize how toxicity affects us, especially during menopause. The modern world exposes us to various toxins daily, from environmental pollutants to chemical additives in food and skincare products. These substances can disrupt hormonal balance, exacerbating menopause symptoms and affecting our overall health. Toxic ingredients in conventional skincare products, such as parabens and phthalates, may further imbalance hormones, while synthetic fragrances and dyes can irritate menopausal skin, which is already prone to dryness and sensitivity.
By choosing natural skincare solutions, like those offered by Puremess, we not only nourish our skin with ingredients that support its health during menopause but also reduce our exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Puremess's commitment to using natural ingredients like hyaluronic acid, plant-based oils, and natural butters directly addresses the needs of menopausal skin, promoting hydration, elasticity, and rejuvenation without the added risk of toxicity.
Moreover, adopting a holistic approach extends beyond skincare. It involves nurturing our bodies from the inside out. Sally's emphasis on a nutrient-dense diet, rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and phytoestrogens, complements the external care provided by Puremess products. Together, they form a comprehensive strategy for managing menopause symptoms, supporting skin health, and maintaining hormonal balance.
By supporting your internal health with Sally’s health coaching and enhancing your external wellbeing with Puremess’s natural skincare, we ensure that your body and skin receive the care and attention they deserve during this transformative phase. Join us on your journey to a radiant, balanced life with Sally and Puremess by your side, every step of the way. Embracing this holistic approach helps us navigate menopause with grace, understanding, and minimal exposure to harmful toxins, leading to a healthier, more vibrant you.
To explore how Sally’s Health Coaching programmes can transform your menopause experience, visit www.rebalancebysally.com or email rebalancebysally@gmail.com. For natural skincare solutions that respect the changes your skin is going through, explore Puremess' range of products. Together, let’s embrace this journey of transformation with wisdom, care, and a commitment to holistic health.