Beauty, You & Embracing Menopause
- Genelle Holub
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Did you know some women are starting perimenopause at 35? The conversation about aging has shifted and the beauty industry is noticing! As we age, we often think of ourselves as simply "older" and the beauty industry is a big part of the way society views aging. This view has made the industry a lot of money. However, the reality is much more nuanced and skincare companies are finally getting it. Menopausal skin is not just "older skin"; it comes with distinct biological and functional differences, as well as unique treatment needs.
Estheticians who understand this change and provide customized treatments are not just meeting a demand; we are leading a new movement in how we all see menopause and skincare. This blog post offers an optimistic perspective on how embracing these changes can enhance our lives, elevate our understanding, give you some direction and ultimately celebrate the beauty of skin at any age. The beauty industry is destined to changing and together we can be at the forefront!
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Understanding the Unique Challenges of Menopausal Skin
Menopausal skin faces specific challenges that require a different approach, moving away from the conventional "anti-aging" mindset with a positive twist of "ageless aging" or "aging well." It’s essential to understand the hormonal changes that occur during this time. The decline in estrogen and progesterone causes significant changes in the skin.
Research shows that post-menopausal women can experience a 30% decrease in skin collagen levels. This loss can lead to increased dryness, sagging, and fragile skin that often reacts negatively to products that worked well previously.
Moreover, menopausal skin may become up to 50% thinner, pursuing the need for specialized treatment. Recognizing these changes allows you to take control and switch up to the current condition of skin.
This awareness opens the door to new treatment possibilities that address the unique needs of menopausal women.
Reimagining Treatment Options
This is the beginning of something more for you! Search for professionals who know what it takes to curate a facial in the treatment room specifically to menopausal skin types. Find professionals that look beyond the skin. This approach isn’t about generic treatments but having options that provide measurable benefits for any woman 35+. Here are 3 easy ways to improve skin texture:
Hydration-Rich Treatments
Menopausal skin often suffers from lack of moisture. Incorporating hydrating facials and serums rich in hyaluronic acid can offer significant improvements. For instance, studies show that hyaluronic acid can improve skin elasticity by up to 30% when used consistently. I always recommend using hyaluronic acid morning and night on freshly washed skin.
Nourishing Ingredients
Focus on products with ingredients that rejuvenate the skin barrier, such as peptides, vitamins and active carrier oils. These components can reduce sensitivity while promoting healing and revitalization. Sort of a protective barrier for skin. For example, products with plant-derived peptides can enhance skin resilience and improve overall texture. The combination of certain plant ingredients has the power to give your skin that "bounce" back. In this industry, I know for a fact that plant peptides are now regrowing hair besides feeding our skin!
Simple Makeup Tweaks
Makeup needs to be adjusted too. From new creamy concealer and foundation to cheeks & lips or redefining your eyebrows. Or just maybe you're ready to apply a new eyeliner shade to brighten your eyes? The possibilities are endless.
Through personalized care, your esthetician can enhance the health and appearance of perimenopause to post menopausal skin, emphasizing a relationship based on education, trust and understanding of what it feels like while giving you the answers.
Celebrating Aging: A New Perspective
Aging is normal and menopause is not a stage to dread; it’s a journey to celebrate of being able to transform you! Emphasizing a wellness centered approach reshapes the conversation around aging which becomes a healthy one. Age becomes merely a number while the focus shifts to caring for the skin and body at every stage of life.
Integrating discussions about lifestyle changes, stress management, and proper nutrition into your session with your esthetician adds deeper understanding of your skin. Menopausal skin care should encompass more than just topical solutions; a holistic approach cultivates a rich connection, demonstrating genuine concern for your overall well-being.
You should feel valued! There is a fear that as we age, we become more invisible, and we should not forget we are invaluable because of the knowledge we have to share that we've gained on this journey of living. To make this farther from reality, know we cannot do to our skin, hair and body what we did 5 or 10 years ago. Shifting the mindset with better habits and making a few changes are key. Maybe adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet to nourish skin on the inside. Or trying a new exercise class for that "glow" like jazzercise, lifting weights or a new hobby to get you fired up and feeling great! Whatever you do, take on a new interest to remain engaged and powerful, and try not to get caught up in the same routine, as it can be mundane.
A Glimpse into the Future of Menopausal Beauty
The dialogue around menopausal wellness and skincare is just beginning. As the beauty industry adapts, there is immense potential for growth and awareness. Addressing the unique needs of menopausal skin allows for all to learn and to be at the forefront of this evolution, armed with empathy and knowledge to share. I know that I thrive by being a resource for younger women entering this stage to help guide them. In fact, we all have the power to do so! We just need to open up the conversation.
By acknowledging the specific concerns of menopause and beauty, skincare professionals can cultivate a caring environment that transforms clients' perceptions of aging. You should expect this!!! As we venture into this exciting new phase of skincare, one critical message emerges: Aging should be seen not as a decline but as a unique opportunity for transformation. Maybe getting a different hair cut and/or color or switching up your wardrobe or getting a new fresh makeup look. Whatever you decide it puts a pep in your step and gives you a boost of confidence.
As we evolve together our approach to skincare, makeup and our overall look should as well. Let’s move forward together, make the beauty scene become aware—grounded in purpose, education, and care at every stage of life. By giving thoughtful attention to menopausal skin, the beauty industry is on the brink of a profound transformation that celebrates growth and fosters resilience. Ask a professional makeup artist advice on hair color to go with your new makeup products is so do-able! After all makeup artists do specialize in color too. Something small like this can make a big impact for your look and mood.
What Experienced Estheticians Address in Treatment Room
Estheticians working with menopausal clients often notice a variety of skin conditions that may include what it is you are experiencing:
Loss of firmness and volume, particularly in the lower face, neck and jawline
Deepening of nasolabial folds, marionette lines and crow’s feet
Increased dryness or rough texture
Rosacea-like flushing or new onset sensitivity
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from past treatments
Breakouts in the chin and jawline from hormonal imbalances
Slower healing and reduced response to aggressive treatments
Menopausal Skin Can = Sensitive Skin
Recognizing that menopausal skin can now be sensitive is essential for changing our approach. This particular group may have never dealt with sensitivity before, but they now experience flushed, stinging, irritated skin, or find it difficult to use products and services they once tolerated. Hormonal changes can trigger inflammatory reactions, decrease the skin's moisture retention, and weaken its barrier function, making sensitivity a frustrating new reality for many.
Effectively treating menopausal skin requires a move away from harsh treatments and ingredients, focusing instead on protocols that repair the barrier, hydrate, and soothe. This enables estheticians to achieve visible results while safeguarding fragile skin from additional harm. Alternatively, you might need a treatment plan designed to help restore the skin's resilience.
Menopausal Skin Can = Acne Skin
Baffled why your breaking out again like a teenager? Menopause can indeed trigger or worsen acne in women due to hormonal changes. Lower estrogen levels during menopause can lead to increased oil production (sebum) and inflammation, contributing to breakouts. These breakouts may be deeper than normal and they seem to hang around longer. There are various strategies to manage and treat menopausal acne, including skincare adjustments, lifestyle changes, and treatments that clear skin without compromising your skin barrier. While help is available seeking it is the only way to address it.
By identifying these skin conditions, estheticians can assist clients in creating a supportive treatment plan that respects the skin's current requirements, without making unrealistic promises or causing overwhelm.
Going Forward
In summary, regardless of your current stage, there are countless opportunities available to you. Pursue your desires... if we don't adapt, we remain stagnant, and entering menopause is a celebration of the journey we've had over the years and how it has contributed to our growth as individuals today. I sure hope I've given you some direction or ideas on how to navigate you in the present or years to come. Let's celebrate together and pave a clear path for the next generation to embrace the beautiful stages we all encounter.
Genelle Holub
MUA, CE, CNE
Face It Skin
Founder
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