Bridget Carmady, Founder of Clémence Organics shares her tips on the best skincare ingredients to embrace to the ones to avoid, sharing a roadmap for caring for our skin, beautifully, naturally, and confidently, through menopause and beyond.
Menopause marks a powerful and transformative chapter in a woman’s life, a natural transition that brings with it emotional, physical, and hormonal shifts. While much of the focus tends to centre around internal changes, it’s important not to overlook how profoundly these hormonal fluctuations affect the skin.
As oestrogen and progesterone levels decline during perimenopause and menopause, so too does the skin’s ability to retain moisture, maintain elasticity, and protect itself from environmental stressors. Collagen production slows, skin becomes thinner and drier, and that once-familiar glow may begin to fade. Suddenly, the skincare routine that once worked wonders may feel out of sync with your skin’s new needs.
But this doesn’t have to be a time of frustration, it can be a time of renewal. With the right knowledge, nutrition, and skincare, it’s possible to support your skin through these changes and even come out of it with a deeper understanding of what your skin truly needs.
How do hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause affect the skin’s hydration and barrier function?
This significant time in our lives heralds the end of our fertile days and our menstrual cycle. Hormone levels fall, particularly oestrogen and progesterone, and our body undergoes a whole raft of changes. Skin is not left out of this upheaval. The most significant change caused by reduced hormone levels in menopause is a decrease in collagen production. This affects both elasticity and skin thickness. Vitamin D is also harder to produce which has a flow-on effect to the skin, influencing both immunity and skin repair/ageing. Dryness also comes as a result of the decrease in oestrogen and progesterone.
How does Clémence Organics support skin through menopause, and which products do you most recommend?
To support the skin during this time, the best approach is through a combination of internal and external recommendations.
Internal recommendations Collagen support add foods and nutrients to your diet which support collagen production including protein, vitamin C, and zinc. Vitamin D increase vitamin D rich foods (oily fish, eggs, nuts and seeds) and consider adding a supplement as absorption is reduced in menopause. Dry skin increase omega 3 and omega 6 rich foods (salmon, sardines, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds) and ensure you are drinking 1-2L of water daily.
External recommendations Collagen support choose skincare products which contain vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Many products in the Clemence Organics range contain both vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Vitamin D get a little sun on your body each day (not during peak UV times). 10-15 minutes is all it takes to boost vitamin D levels. Dry skin choose skincare products which are rich in natural oils and butters, and contain hyaluronic acid to hold water in the skin. Clemence Organics products are best suited for dry skin.
Are there specific ingredients women should seek out or steer clear of when choosing skincare during this stage?
Skin often becomes more sensitive during perimenopause and menopause. You might find yourself suddenly reacting to skincare that has always been fine. Lean towards natural, organic and products suitable for sensitive skin.
Are there any common misconceptions about menopausal skincare you’d like to address?
You don’t need a skincare range aimed specifically for menopause. Look for skincare products aimed at collagen support and hydration.
What do you wish more women knew about caring for their skin during menopause, and how would you like this conversation to evolve?
Menopause is already a very challenging time for women and so I would say to make sure you’re being kind to yourself during this period of life. Take the time every day to give yourself some self-care and choose products which nurture your skin, feel good to use and which give you confidence.
Bridget Carmady, Founder of Clémence Organics shares her tips on the best skincare ingredients to embrace to the ones to avoid, sharing a roadmap for caring for our skin, beautifully, naturally, and confidently, through menopause and beyond.
Menopause marks a powerful and transformative chapter in a woman’s life, a natural transition that brings with it emotional, physical, and hormonal shifts. While much of the focus tends to centre around internal changes, it’s important not to overlook how profoundly these hormonal fluctuations affect the skin.
As oestrogen and progesterone levels decline during perimenopause and menopause, so too does the skin’s ability to retain moisture, maintain elasticity, and protect itself from environmental stressors. Collagen production slows, skin becomes thinner and drier, and that once-familiar glow may begin to fade. Suddenly, the skincare routine that once worked wonders may feel out of sync with your skin’s new needs.
But this doesn’t have to be a time of frustration, it can be a time of renewal. With the right knowledge, nutrition, and skincare, it’s possible to support your skin through these changes and even come out of it with a deeper understanding of what your skin truly needs.
How do hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause affect the skin’s hydration and barrier function?
This significant time in our lives heralds the end of our fertile days and our menstrual cycle. Hormone levels fall, particularly oestrogen and progesterone, and our body undergoes a whole raft of changes. Skin is not left out of this upheaval. The most significant change caused by reduced hormone levels in menopause is a decrease in collagen production. This affects both elasticity and skin thickness. Vitamin D is also harder to produce which has a flow-on effect to the skin, influencing both immunity and skin repair/ageing. Dryness also comes as a result of the decrease in oestrogen and progesterone.
How does Clémence Organics support skin through menopause, and which products do you most recommend?
To support the skin during this time, the best approach is through a combination of internal and external recommendations.
Internal recommendations
Collagen support add foods and nutrients to your diet which support collagen production including protein, vitamin C, and zinc.
Vitamin D increase vitamin D rich foods (oily fish, eggs, nuts and seeds) and consider adding a supplement as absorption is reduced in menopause.
Dry skin increase omega 3 and omega 6 rich foods (salmon, sardines, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds) and ensure you are drinking 1-2L of water daily.
External recommendations
Collagen support choose skincare products which contain vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Many products in the Clemence Organics range contain both vitamin C and hyaluronic acid.
Vitamin D get a little sun on your body each day (not during peak UV times). 10-15 minutes is all it takes to boost vitamin D levels.
Dry skin choose skincare products which are rich in natural oils and butters, and contain hyaluronic acid to hold water in the skin. Clemence Organics products are best suited for dry skin.
Are there specific ingredients women should seek out or steer clear of when choosing skincare during this stage?
Skin often becomes more sensitive during perimenopause and menopause. You might find yourself suddenly reacting to skincare that has always been fine. Lean towards natural, organic and products suitable for sensitive skin.
Are there any common misconceptions about menopausal skincare you’d like to address?
You don’t need a skincare range aimed specifically for menopause. Look for skincare products aimed at collagen support and hydration.
What do you wish more women knew about caring for their skin during menopause, and how would you like this conversation to evolve?
Menopause is already a very challenging time for women and so I would say to make sure you’re being kind to yourself during this period of life. Take the time every day to give yourself some self-care and choose products which nurture your skin, feel good to use and which give you confidence.
Share this:
Like this: