As we age and the female body undergoes changes due to the menopause, one of the most common symptoms noticed are changes to our skin—conditions such as acne, dryness, redness, fine lines, clamminess, irritations and inflammations are just a few of the most common issues that can impact and appear to suddenly arise even where the complexion had never been a cause for serious concern to date.
While lifestyle habits and external stressors undoubtedly impact general health and wellbeing, most of us find coping mechanisms to combat this over the years which is why the perceived acceleration of issues that seem to suddenly occur during the menopausal phases—despite our trusted fixes that always used to work - can feel extremely distressing... and this is because our skin is a reflection not only of our health and habits but a key result of our hormonal composition also.
Hormones play an intrinsic role in a host of internal processes and they work in synergy with one another affecting how our bodies respond to and cope with stress and other influences. The change in the levels of hormones that bring on menopause such as the slowing down of oestrogen production that causes the cessation of periods has an impact on much more than the reproductive cycle. Dropping oestrogen levels may cause the complexion to become more brittle and less elastic - meaning little creases can develop into dry, deep creases, lips and the skin surrounding the eyes might sag etc. In addition to these symptoms, insufficient oestrogen can also trigger bone loss, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, sleeplessness, mood swings, and night sweats.
However declining oestrogen levels in women over 40 is only one four major hormones making a difference to our skin and health and which can cause early signs of aging.
Testosterone. cortisol and our thyroid hormones are further critical players too. While lower oestrogen can influence dull, dehydrated skin — naturally declining testosterone levels during menopause can also lead to dryness and irritation since testosterone activates the sebum-producing glands which are crucial for providing natural oils to protect skin.
Levels of sebum production can also be affected by cortisol — known as the stress hormone— which activates the adrenal glands as a stress response and our thyroid hormones additionally influence the appearance of skin where under-activity can lead to dry, rough skin with a reduced ability to sweat normally while overactive thyroid hormones can generate the characteristic hot flushes and sweaty clammy skin typically associated with menopause. With all that said it might appear as if our hormones are just here to happily work against us as menopause progresses, and its not just a matter of topping up a hormone where we have a deficiency as these not only naturally fluctuate throughout our transition but excess levels can have alternative adverse effects—high levels of oestrogen can cause ‘melasma’ or hyperpigmentation, for example, too much testosterone can result in oily or acne-prone skin including for those of us who never experienced acne as a teenager and consistently high levels of cortisol in reaction to stressful circumstances may exacerbate inflammation and aggravate practically any skin problem including eczema, rosacea, acne, vitiligo and many further disorders…. the proverbial vicious cycle—causing many menopausal women feel as though their skin will never improve.
So what to do?
THE KEY IS IN ACHEIVING BALANCE
Our hormones actually have a beautiful protective function in our bodies and we are not just impacted by their natural fluctuation during menopause — every aspect from our eating, sleeping and exercise patterns also affect how our hor-mones behave and therefore how our skin ages meaning that simply overhauling the skincare routine is unlikely to make all the difference.
Identifying our daily habits and some of the seemingly innocent actions that impact our hormonal wellbeing is a vital starting point for a holistic and rebalancing approach. Experts agree on stress and anxiety being major factors while certain medications like birth control can upset hormones and cause nutritional deficiencies. The presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in skincare - problematic ingredients such as parabens, certain sunscreens and fragrances — is a further aspect compounding hormone disruption.
Addressing wellbeing across the key areas of sleep, skincare and diet has therefore been a primary aspect in the Shhh… approach to formulary - supporting menopausal lifestyle changes in working with some of nature’s most potent natural ingredients that have a profound effect on rebalancing and normalising the body’s processes alleviating stress and tension but most importantly also helping to regulate and optimise hormone production - with topical (on the skin) transdermal (through the skin) olfactory (through inhalation) and dietary supplementation and support.
Powerhouse ingredients such as zinc, selenium, maca, seaweed and magnesium are staple Shhh… botanicals that have been the subject of much research citing their vital function for women’s health and specifically the beneficial effects for perimenopausal and menopausal women. In particular, magnesium's efficacy–as an essential mineral responsible for over 300 metabolic processes within the body has been established in a number of investigations and clinical trials rounded up in a 2017 literary review(1). Not only has it been proven to help slow down the ageing process by boosting glutathione production, telomere shortening, and lowering oxidative stress, but the importance of the mineral for regulating hormones cannot be overstated.
MIGHTY MAGNESIUM
Magnesium is required for the production of testosterone and oestrogen—vitally countering the natural biological decline — but also for the production of thyroid hormones thereby optimising thyroid function and helping to reduce the underlying inflammation that triggers the autoimmune reaction causing most thyroid imbalances. In one trial, magnesium alleviated menopausal hot flashes in women having breast cancer treatment who were unable to take hormone replacement therapy (2).
Magnesium also regulates adrenal activity thereby soothing the neurological system (3) and prevents cortisol from entering into the brain, resulting in reduced anxiety and lower cortisol levels helping to prevent the vicious cycle of excess cortisol and its potentially inflammatory impact on skin.
Magnesium’s calming effect on the nervous system however also has proven benefits for regulating sleep — which is critical for hormone balance. Working with melatonin, the sleep hormone, magnesium helps to regulate our body clock and sleepwake cycles throughout time.
Support with magnesium can be vital to counter the alterations in our circadian rhythm as melatonin levels naturally with age and are especially low at night, triggering menopausal insomnia and its cascade effect on hormone disruption and skin health.
This highlights the intricate relationship behind the adage of getting our beauty sleep– which is often overlooked and which becomes critical during the menopause and the wholesome and ethical approach behind the development of the Shhh… range eliminates the time and stress involved in scouring ingredients to achieve balance.
Rebalancing formulations such as the Shhh… Sleep Sound range combine magnesium with the therapeutic benefit of essential oils in the bath and skincare products to help develop and maintain restorative sleep routines — SLEEP SOUND BATH & SHOWER OIL and the Sleep Sound Magnesium Bath Salts help to relax the body with transdermal uptake of magnesium. While the senses can be further soothed with the calming SLEEP SOUND MAGNESIUM H20 inhaled as a relaxing pillow mist to help support sleep onset. Further BATHTIME BLISS options also provide rounded blends with magnesium to soothe skin and senses while additional options for lowering cortisol, anxiety and stress can be enhanced with the ALLAY ANXIETY range.
Completing the holistic approach to hormonal balance, hydrating Shhh… SKINCARE restores the complexion with premium fatty-acid rich botanicals and high-grade humectants to lock in and secure moisture and the topical defence can be powerfully enhanced with the potent SUPPLEMENT compositions containing proven actives for hormone support. Vital minerals such as Zinc which helps balance testosterone and Maca root which boosts oestrogen production are blended in the Balance and Allure Maca Root 5000mg & Zinc - 120 capsules – while Selenium known to support healthy thyroid function is an easy option to consume in the Protect and Maintain Hair Skin and Nails chewable gummies formulated with in the synergistic blend of Biotin, Zinc and Selenium with multivitamins A, D, E, C, B6 and B12.
Sources:
1.Parazzini F et al. Magnesium in the gynecological practice: a literature review. Magnes Res. 2017 Feb 1;30(1):1-7.
2. Haeseong P et al. A pilot phase II trial of magnesium supplements to reduce menopausal hot flashes in breast cancer patients. Support Care Cancer. 2011 Jun; 19(6): 859–863.
3.Boyle, NB et al. The Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety and Stress—A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2017 May; 9(5): 429.
Magnesium is required for the production of testosterone and oestrogen—vitally countering the natural biological decline—but also for the production of thyroid hormones thereby optimising thyroid function and helping to reduce the underlying inflammation that triggers the autoimmune reaction causing most thyroid imbalances.In one trial, magnesium alleviated menopausal hot flashes in women having breast cancer treatment who were unable to take hormone replacement therapy (2).
Magnesium also regulates adrenal activity thereby soothing the neurological system (3) and prevents cortisol from entering into the brain, resulting in reduced anxiety and lower cortisol levels helping to prevent the vicious cycle of excess cortisol and its potentially inflammatory impact on skin.
Magnesium’s calming effect on the nervous system however also has proven benefits for regulating sleep—which is critical for hormone balance. Working with melatonin, the sleep hormone, magnesium helps to regulate our body clock and sleepwake cycles throughout time.
Support with magnesium can be vital to counter the alterations in our circadian rhythm as melatonin levels naturally with age and are especially low at night, triggering menopausal insomnia and its cascade effect on hormone disruption and skin health.
This highlights the intricate relationship behind the adage of getting our beauty sleep– which is often overlooked and which becomes critical during the menopause and the wholesome and ethical approach behind the development of the Shhh…range eliminates the time and stress involved in scouring ingredients to achieve balance.
Rebalancing formulations such as the Shhh… Sleep Sound range combine magnesium with the therapeutic benefit of essential oils in the bath and skincare products to help develop and maintain restorative sleep routines — SLEEP SOUND BATH & SHOWER OIL and the Sleep Sound Magnesium Bath Salts help to relax the body with transdermal uptake of magnesium. While the senses can be further soothed with the calming SLEEP SOUND MAGNESIUM H20 inhaled as a relaxing pillow mist to help support sleep onset. Further BATHTIME BLISS options also provide rounded blends with magnesium to soothe skin and senses while additional options for lowering cortisol, anxiety and stress can be enhanced with the ALLAY ANXIETY range.
Completing the holistic approach to hormonal balance, hydrating Shhh… SKINCARE restores the complexion with premium fatty-acid rich botanicals and high-grade humectants to lock in and secure moisture and the topical defence can be powerfully enhanced with the potent SUPPLEMENT compositions containing proven actives for hormone support. Vital minerals such as Zinc which helps balance testosterone and Maca root which boosts oestrogen production are blended in the Balance and Allure Maca Root 5000mg & Zinc - 120 capsules – while Selenium known to support healthy thyroid function is an easy option to consume in the Protect and Maintain Hair Skin and Nails gummies formulated with in the synergistic blend of Biotin, Zinc and Selenium with multivitamins A, D, E, C, B6 and B12.
Sources:
1.Parazzini F et al. Magnesium in the gynecological practice: a literature review. Magnes Res. 2017 Feb 1;30(1):1-7.
2. Haeseong P et al. A pilot phase II trial of magnesium supplements to reduce menopausal hot flashes in breast cancer patients. Support Care Cancer. 2011 Jun; 19(6): 859–863.
3.Boyle, NB et al. The Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety and Stress—A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2017 May; 9(5): 429.