Menopause is commonly connected with hot flushes and night sweats – most women are familiar with these. The lesser known problem of dry skin that commonly accompanies menopause is also a side effect of changing hormones or more specifically one hormone – estrogen. When women enter menopause and this varies widely from 40 to late fifties, the ovaries stop releasing eggs, periods cease and the production of the hormone estrogen begins to decline.

Estrogen has many functions to do with the reproductive function of a woman’s body but also stimulates the production of collagen and sebum that keeps the skin supple and well lubricated. When this declines, dry and itchy skin can begin to appear as the body also loses its ability to lock moisture in to the skin.  Not only is this noticed on the face but commonly all over the body.

Dry skin is treatable in menopause – try these ideas below to help keep your skin soft and smooth.

• Use a creamy cleanser and moisturiser that will help hydrate and lock the moisture into the skin. You need a skincare regime that has no perfumes, colourings, alcohol or soaps and detergents that may cause dry skin even drier.

• Use a sunscreen daily – even on cloudy days. Dry skin can be made worse from exposure to the sun.

• Essential fatty acids in the diet are important to focus on – omega 3’s as found in deep sea fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines. Add nuts, soy, olive and flaxseed oil to the diet on a daily basis.

• Keep showers and baths to a minimum. As pleasant as a long steamy shower can be – it is also very drying for the skin.

• Pat dry gently and apply moisturiser all over the body on a daily basis to moisturise and help prevent moisturise loss.

• Avoid soaps with too much perfume, antibacterial action or deodorant ones as they all tend to dry out the skin further.

If dry skin continues to be a problem after following a dry skin care regime, it may be time to consult a doctor or dermatologist. Most simple cases of dry skin should respond well to the suggestions above over a period of a few weeks.

Dry skin is a very common skin condition and is often linked to sensitive skin as well. The medical term for dry skin is xerosis. If our skin is mildly dry we can experience a feeling of tightness and the skin being uncomfortable. Sometimes we will experience dry patches and flakiness that you see and in its extreme form dry skin can crack and bleed. Dry skin often looks dull and lifeless with none of the healthy glow we associate with skin in good condition. It is important to look after dry skin as it often ages more quickly than any other skin type.

What can I do?

Mild dry skin can be easily treated but severe dry skin that has cracked, bled or formed lesions should be seen by a doctor. Dry skin responds well to a skincare regime that includes a gentle, effective cleanser that doesn’t strip away natural oils in the skin and a moisturiser that has emollients and natural moisturising factors such as plant oils and extracts. Dry skin should be treated gently and not subjected to hot and cold winds, too much sun, a central heating and air conditioning. A humidifier and effective skin care products should help in the times you can’t avoid these.

Following some of these suggestions below should help ease dry skin conditions:

• Use lukewarm water to wash your face and pat gently dry.
• Use a cleanser without soaps, sulphates or detergents
• Apply moisturiser immediately after washing the skin to retain the moisture.
• Keep well hydrated throughout the day.
• Use skin care products that are high in moisturising factors and keep the skin moisturised throughout the day.
• Eat a diet high in fresh fruit and vegetables – flaxseeds, avocados, salmon, walnuts, virgin olive oil all help lubricate the skin.
• Reduce alcohol, tea and coffee.
• Invest in a humidifier if you are constantly in heating or air conditioning.
• Avoid the sun if you can and always wear sunscreen.