WTH is Happening to My Face?! Understanding Menopausal Changes

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, “WTH is happening to my face?!” You're not alone. Menopause brings with it a series of changes, often so sudden they leave us feeling like strangers in our own skin. This blog post is here to shed light on why these changes occur and how you can embrace and enhance your evolving beauty with confidence and grace.

What Happens to Your Skin During Menopause

Menopause can significantly affect your skin, primarily due to decreased estrogen levels, which are crucial in maintaining skin elasticity and moisture. As these hormone levels drop, many women notice their skin becomes dryer, less plump, and more susceptible to wrinkles. This is because estrogen plays a key role in the production of collagen and oil in the skin, and without it, skin loses its youthful moisture and resilience.

Other Facial Changes You Might Notice

Beyond changes in skin texture and elasticity, menopause can also alter other facial features. You might find your lips becoming thinner, your jawline less defined, and dark circles under your eyes deepening. These changes are partly due to the overall decrease in collagen, which affects not just the skin’s elasticity but also its volume, leading to a more pronounced appearance of aging.

Makeup Tips to Enhance Features

While these changes can be daunting, the right makeup techniques can significantly enhance your features and boost your confidence:

Foundation: Opt for hydrating formulas that provide good coverage without settling into fine lines. Liquid foundations with a dewy finish can help restore a youthful glow.  Foundation application is also important.  Start with thin layers and lightly build up the product only on those areas that need more coverage.  Some of my favorite brands are Makeup Forever HD Skin Hydra Glow.  Shop Makeup Forever using the Rakuten app or Chrome plug in and get cash back (win win!!).  I also have a new found love for Korean cushion foundation.  More to come on that!  

Eyes: Use lighter eyeshadows to open up the eyes. A bit of shimmer can reflect light and reduce the look of tiredness.  Ignore the social media garbage that says mature women can’t use shimmer!  Cream eyeshadows have become my  go-to the past couple of years.  They are more forgiving on mature eyes. 

Lips: Embrace lip liners to define your lips and prevent color from bleeding. Top the liner with a great moisturizing gloss or lip oil.  You’ll find the lip color will last longer.  City Beauty has highly rated lip glosses that look more like a liquid lipstick but without the dryness and tons of nourishing ingredients.  I’m also in love with the Dose of Color lip oils in clear. 

Blush: Cream blushes can add a natural flush and give a dewier appearance than powders, which might emphasize dryness.

Skincare Routines Adapted to Menopausal Skin

Adjusting your skincare routine during menopause is crucial for maintaining skin health:

Moisturizers: Look for products with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which are excellent for hydrating and repairing the skin’s barrier.  You don’t need a separate hyauluronic acid serum as most skincare today already contains it, and quite frankly, unless the HA molecule is super tiny, it’s not going to absorb beyond the epidermis anyway. 

Also, another thing to think about is the climate you live in.  If you are up north, the air tends to be drier, so you’ll want a moisturizer that’s more emollient and heavier at night.  For me, since I live in a very hot, humid climate, I ditch my AM moisturizer during the summer and just make sure I apply a good moisturizer at night after my serums.

Serums: Incorporate a collagen-boosting serum with ingredients like retinol or peptides, which can help improve the skin’s firmness and texture.  I will say, I’ve seen a big difference in my skin in the short time I’ve been using Tretinoin.  If you prefer not to go the prescription route, Medik 8 has a fantastic option called Crystal Retinal that comes in different strengths.

Sensitivity: Use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and products to reduce the risk of irritation, which can increase with age. Dr. Sherene Idriss just released a really nice gel texture face wash called Soft Wash. Check it out on her website and sign up for her Nerd newsletter.

Embracing Your Beauty at Every Stage

Menopause is a natural part of life and embracing it can be empowering. Remember, beauty is not about age but about how you feel inside. This period of change is an opportunity to rediscover yourself and embrace a beauty routine that makes you feel fabulous and confident.

Menopause might bring changes, but with the right care, you can continue to look and feel your best. By understanding these shifts and adjusting your beauty routines accordingly, you can face menopause not just with acceptance but with grace and vitality.