Perimenopause and menopause signify transitional times in the lives of women where skin can undergo significant changes. And while every woman will eventually go through it, menopause is a heavily stigmatized part of aging, leaving many without the tools or knowledge they need to find comfort during times of change. But at all® Laundry, we want all women to feel supported. Chief Dermatology Advisor and all® free clear partner, Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, is encouraging women to prioritize their wellness and sharing her top tips to care for menopause-related sensitive skin changes.
It’s well-known that skin evolves as we age, and menopause can be a catalyst to skin sensitivity and discomfort for many women. While this is a common part of the process, it can be uncomfortable during this uncertain time.
“Due to the plummet in hormone levels, women's skin during perimenopause can become more sensitive as well as dry and thin,” Dr. Z explains. “Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate these effects to help women feel their best despite hormonal changes, such as using daily use of sunscreen, moisturizer and hypoallergenic products, including laundry detergent.”
During menopause, women can experience dry, uncomfortable skin, and Dr. Z shares that throughout perimenopause and menopause, skin may be more susceptible to bruising and sensitive to the sun. This can lead to an increased need to proactively combat sun damage, dry skin and sensitivities, such as eczema. Luckily, as Dr. Z shares, there are many ways that women can prepare and protect their skin to ensure comfort and overall wellness.
Believe it or not, clothing can have a big impact on lessening the effects of skin-related menopause symptoms. After all, our clothes are constantly touching our skin. “To keep your skin feeling good, I recommend washing your clothing in a gentle but effective laundry detergent, like all® free clear, that’s 100% free of dyes and perfumes,” says Dr. Z.
To keep skin strong and healthy, Dr. Z also suggests moisturizing every day. “It’s best to look for thick, creamy moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, petrolatum and hyaluronic acid that will protect our epidermal barrier and prevent trans-epidermal water loss,” Dr. Z explains. She also suggests avoiding harsh, stripping hand and body soaps and instead opting for gentle, hydrating cleansers, noting it's important to avoid anything that will further irritate the skin.
Another important tip she offers is wearing sunscreen on the face and body, as UV exposure is known to further break down collagen and elastin. “Studies show that women lose about 30% of collagen* during the first five years of menopause,” says Dr. Z. “I recommend adding skin care that contains peptides, retinol or retinoids to help increase collagen production.”
Skin care is an important part of any self-care regimen, but it takes on a new importance when it comes to perimenopause and menopause. We hope these tips from Dr. Z can further educate women on the ways they can take care of themselves and their bodies as they undergo these changes.
For more from Dr. Z and to learn more about all® free clear and where to purchase, click the link here.
Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky is a board-certified dermatologist and a partner of all® free clear. You can find her on TikTok and Instagram at @dermguru.
Sources:
American Academy of Dermatology Association