Dark spots
Have you noticed blotchy brown or grey pigment across your forehead, cheeks, bridge of the nose, chin or upper lip? Then the hormonal shifts you’re experiencing have triggered a dose of melasma. A form of hyperpigmentation that is thought to be triggered by a combination of hormones and exposure to sunlight, melasma is common amongst women in the final stages of perimenopause who have begun to take HRT.
“Protecting exposed skin with a broad spectrum SPF30 or higher is paramount, while ingredients like azelaic acid can help lighten the skin thanks to their ability to destroy the skin cells that produce melanin,” shares Kluk.
Breakouts
If you’ve experienced adult acne you may well have thought that by the time you reach the later stages of perimenopause spots would be one thing you no longer have to contend with, while many of you might not even remember the last time you got one. Unfortunately, the drop in oestrogen and the increase in androgen hormones like testosterone can lead to breakouts during this time too.
“This is because our sebaceous glands can become overly stimulated and begin to produce too much sebum. The oil mixes with dead skin cells, blocking pores and triggering a combination of blackheads as well as red, inflamed pimples,” says Kluk. When it comes to your make-up, be sure to invest in a base that has been labelled non-comedogenic. This means it has been tested for its capability to block pores and found to be less likely to do so.
Tried and tested…
Youth-boosting Peptides
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