Six things you should know about dry skin during menopause

During menopause, hormones go haywire. Estrogen can plunge dangerously close to zero and then skyrocket to levels you’ve never seen before. All of these fluctuations can affect the many responsibilities that estrogen holds for regulating the body’s functions—a list that includes everything from controlling the taste buds to regulating body temperature.

Also included in this list of estrogen’s functions is the distribution of hydration in the body. Put simply, estrogen “waters” your cells. This is why dry skin is a tell-tale sign of menopause.

Understanding dry skin

Your dry skin could be an issue of genetics—at least partially.

Genetics determine whether we’ll have dry, oily, or combination skin, and then the actual condition of our skin depends on how this skin type interacts with environmental factors.

The elements can make your dry skin worse.

Dry desert heat, blustery winds, and harsh sun rays can all make your skin drier than usual. If you face these conditions frequently, it’s best to stock up on a good moisturizer.

Mother Nature isn’t the only culprit.

Every day routines could be making your skin drier. Do you drink or smoke? These are perhaps the most obvious habits that cause skin to lose its elasticity. However, there are other, less obvious causes, such a swimming frequently in chlorinated water and wearing tight-fitting clothes that can chap the skin.

Water’s great, as long as it’s on the inside of your dermis.

A long bath may be your idea of relaxing, but your skin may be falling apart because of habits like this one—literally. Bathing rituals such as using water that’s too hot, lathering up in soaps containing sulfate that strips the skin and staying in the bath too long can cause dry, wrinkly skin.

Drinking more water won’t restore your skin.

Although drinking enough water is always considered good for your health, this is not a beauty secret to more supple skin. To the contrary, the water that you ingest goes through several different body systems before it reaches your skin. So drink up, but lather up, too, with a good moisturizer.

Speaking of moisturizers.

Look for a hydrating skin lotion or cream with cholesterol. This is the secret ingredient that helps restore moisture to the skin. Don’t worry; it won’t ruin your lipid profile.

Recommendation for Dry Skin during Menopause

Flying can give you a double dose of harsh atmospheric conditions due to the high altitude and increased radiation from the sun. Before embarking on a flight, make sure to put on sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Read the following article to know more about itchy skin during menopause phase.