What is perimenopause and its effect on us and our hormones?
Perimenopause is the transitional period right before menopause. It may begin as early as mid-thirties and late as mid-fifties and could last for years – it varies from individual to individual.
Perimenopause is also an ongoing change that some people may be able to notice more easily than others. The ovaries begin producing fewer hormones in general causing fertility to decline despite the possibility that one could still get pregnant. Estrogen levels start to decrease. The result? Hot flashes or irregular periods.
Estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate. Vaginal dryness coupled with the symptoms earlier mentioned is the first set of symptoms experienced at this time.
PS – You know you’ve transitioned to menopause when you’ve missed your periods consecutively for a year.
What causes perimenopause to occur early?
- Family history
- Smoking or frequent use of tobacco products
- History of cancer treatment
- Removing one’s ovaries or uterus
Here are 4 effects of perimenopause on the skin
- Acne
- Sagging
- Dry skin
- Thin skin
5 skincare products to use during perimenopause
- Cleanser
A cleanser that revives the broken balance of the skin caused by internal and external factors to reveal clean, supple, moisturised, and refreshed skin such as our beausta recipe cica cleansing foam is worth adding to your collection.
- Toner
If you have oily skin follow up your cleanser with a gentle toner such as our Neulii exfoliating toner pads for sensitive skin to unclog pores if you have acne or Neulii derma ecto-cica 11 toner if you have dry skin.
- Serum
Aim to follow up your toner with serums that hydrate, brighten the skin, reduce hyperpigmentation, rejuvenate, and even out the skin tone depending on your skin type. We highly recommend serums containing vitamin c, arbutin, and African baobab such as our Baobab glow-c serum, peptides such as our Neulii cica-pepta repair serum, cica such as our Neulii derma ecto-cica 12 serum, and niacinamide such as our Niacinamide 10 brightening ampoule.
- Moisturiser
Stick to moisturisers that replenish the skin without clogging the pores such as our Neulii natural squalane desertica moisture cream here. Even better if the moisturiser contains ingredients such as squalane that can boost collagen production to make the skin firmer.
- SPF 30+
Sunscreens with an SPF of 30 and above are considered to be the most effective types of sunscreens. Click here for more factors to consider when buying sunscreen.
What skincare product will you be incorporating into your routine next? Let us know in the comments.
