Midlife Motivation

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Changes in your skin

Did you know that our skin is the largest organ in our body. By the time we reach midlife we are familiar with our lines and age spots on our skin, however with the onset of the menopause and its decrease in the body's production of oestrogen, the effects on the elasticity and thickness of the skin are more pronounced.  This results in dryness, wrinkles, flaking, patches of brown pigmentation, prominent veins, wounds healing more slowly and the skin bruising more easily.  If we want to look our best, we must look after our skin.

The two major factors of why our skin appears as it does are our genetics and our lifestyle. If we are not treating our body well, it will show in our skin.  Alcohol in excess, stress, the sun, lack of exercise and smoking all have a huge effect of how our skin looks and feels and lets face it, at this stage of our lives we know what we have to do to help our skin look its best. 

In this article you will find sections on ►Looking after your skin  ►Your Face and ►Your Body along with a list of other useful Related Links at the foot of this page.

Looking after your skin

• Give your skin regular health checks for signs of cancer eg. A mole that enlarges, itches, becomes red, loses its original shape, or bleeds, a bloody discharge from the nipple or any unusual skin growths. Take notice of any ulcer, sore or scab that fails to heal within a few weeks
• Wear sunscreen and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight
• Cleanse your skin thoroughly with a moisturising cleanser
• Moisturise regularly to temporarily rejuvenate your skin
• Enjoy a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements
• Taking HRT increases collagen in the skin making it thicker and more toned

Your Face

On a personal note I'm sure my skin does reflect my lifestyle. When I've been really really good I look in the mirror and my eyes are not puffy, my skin looks healthy and my face looks younger. Most of the time that's not the case. The hard part is getting through my bad mood days, my worrying about my mother days, my sleepless nights, long working hours and the rest, without that extra glass of wine or two at the end of a tough day.

I spend little time in the mirror most days. The worse days work I ever did was buy a coffee table with a glass top.

Susan Loveday - Editor

The heavy night creams for ageing skin are not a good idea particularly if you are having night sweats.  Your pores need to breathe so use a cleanser that penetrates the skin or a glycerine soap without fragrances or preservatives.  

After cleansing use a skin freshener without alcohol, then put some moisture back with a facial mist or simply pat your face with water then on your dampened face apply a moisturising cream sparingly. A weekly facial scrub or mask also helps.

Your Body

Baths are the best thing for rehydrating your skin and for relaxing and invigorating both the mind and the body.  If your skin is very dry then bath oils can be added.

To increase your blood circulation and tone the skin, use a loofah to scrub all over your body after a good soaking.  Always moisturise your skin after a bath.

Tags: alcohol, HRT, menopause, oestrogen, skin