Perimenopause and Your Skin
Have you noticed your skin getting cranky, just like your attitude? Welcome to another transitional hormonal stage in life where we once again get to experience red, dry, highly reactive, acneic skin. At least that has been my experience.
When I was in junior high I got my period and with it came the pimples. Having a heavy flow and not being prepared with the right arsenal of feminine hygiene products had me in a constant state of panic. Add to that the embarrassment of those little red dots and you can imagine how unhappy I became.
My mom did what all moms did back in the day and took me to a dermatologist. Instead of addressing what was going on with my transitioning body, and offering me insight into what would be good for my skin, the dermatologist prescribed me antibiotics. A quick fix. One that initially worked, but then as quickly as it did, it didn’t.
As my pre-teen years turned into my teen years I continued to struggle with my skin. I was never introduced to the right resources until I started researching and advocating for myself.
I went to the bookstore, because it was the 90s and that’s what one did, and bought Paula Begoun’s, Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me. Ms. Begoun was known as the cosmetics cop, she was the first whistleblower, the first consumer advocate, and the investigative researcher on the cosmetics industry.
I started learning about ingredients and what ones were the best for my acneic skin and found I could find non-expensive products at my local Walgreens. I felt empowered that I had figured out the steps necessary to “cure” my skin. I’d like to say that my acne went away and never returned, but that’s not exactly true. It kept transitioning.
As I transitioned out of my teen years my skin became less acneic because I was no longer going through adolescence. That didn’t mean I didn’t experience breakouts during my 20s, but that was due to my excessive drinking and late nights.
The transition of our skin during perimenopause is similar to what we went through during adolescence. Our hormones are shifting and changing and our skin can sometimes take the heat.
So what can we do?
Do less. That’s right, you heard me. Less is more when things are shifting and changing.
Think about it like this, when you are angry and someone asks you to calm down, what happens? You most likely get angry. At least that’s what happens to me! Your skin reacts the same. If it is red and irritated the last thing it needs is to be messed with because chances are it will become more inflamed. Use one product instead of 3. Wash it less, or not at all, and see what happens. Give it space to breathe.
The transition into perimenopause can last for years and can be difficult if we don’t have the right tools to deal with it. I’m not talking about tools such as retinol, and creams, I’m talking about the tools we need to help with our stress levels. Stress can trigger or worsen symptoms, even breakouts.
The next time your skin starts getting a cranky check in on your mental state. If you have been in a constant state of stress it may be time to take a step back. Your skin will thank you for it.
And if all else fails you have The Problem Solver serum to help ease the redness and calm your nerves.