Oh, my poor menopausal skin! - Menopause Message Board

dorri · 03-14-2005, 07:26 PM

I can't believe what is happening to my skin? I'm 3 years into menopause and this past year, my skin looks like it belongs to someone else. If I thought it was bad before, it is even worse now. Pores are getting larger, lines more prominant. No amount of moisture fills these lines in. What do you all use to restore the moisture and plumpness to your skin? Is this plumpness gone forever? I feel like sitting down and having a good cry!

armadillo pie · 03-14-2005, 07:50 PM

About the only area I am diligent about it my skin. I am not in menopause but perimenopause, so I do not know how much skin changes at menopause. But I am sorry that you are having such a hard time . There is hope for your skin.
My skin really looks great- smooth- clear- and not a lot of lines. But I have been very disciplined about it. It hasn't been difficult and the results are worth it. I truly feel it has to do with regular facials ( every 3-4 weeks). I go to a clinician and she does microdermabrasion and chemical peels. I also use several products morning and night to keep my skin moisturized. And I have learned to always wear sun screen- that was a lesson for me living in a warm sunny climate and spending time outdoors without sun protection. I have had sun spots on my chest and sun damge on my face, but you'd never know now looking at my skin now. I know microdermabrasion is good for enlarged pores. You can buy some very good over the counter products now that are cheaper then a clinician that do the same job. Go to the Beauty and Cosmetic health board on this site- there are women there who talked about the different products. Also I use a vitimin C serum during the day and at night a retinol serum, as well as a moisturizing sun screen. I keep my skin highly moisturized at all times. Both help with rebuilding collagen. It has become a daily habit with me and it has paid off.
I know you can restore you skin by following some daily skin care. Also never use any soap on your face, only a face wash. Don't give up- if you are willing to spend some extra time on you skin and nourish it with the right products , water, and food, you will see dramatic changes.

dorri · 03-14-2005, 08:20 PM

Armadillo, thank you for the encouraging post and advice. I think it's time I threw away the Ivory Bar. What do you use to cleanse your face? Will a cream cleanser not increase the pores even more? I will visit the Beauty and Cosmetic Board you recommended. Thanks again.

molly123 · 03-14-2005, 09:18 PM

Dorri,
By all means throw out your Ivory soap - that kind of soap is very drying to your skin. I use olive oil products. I've noticed a big difference - my skin is no longer dry - more radiant looking too. One is by DHC care - you can find it on their site. Kind of expensive. An equivalent and much cheaper that I found recently is Olivella Virgin Olive Oil Face Liquid soap. Then I use L'Occitane Daily Face SPF 15 Cream with Olive Oil, and their mask. I get these at their shop in my neighborhood but I'm sure you can find them online if you're interested.

I was using Olay products for a while too. I was using Olay Regenerating Serum, which made a difference too. You can get a free sample from their site.

I have fairly good skin - I don't lay in the sun at all (I use sunless tanning stuff), always use sun screen when I'm out too, don't have many lines or wrinkles. I'm told I look much younger than my age. I also don't smoke which ages your skin too. Oh, taking flaxseed oil by the tablespoon and in pill form, as well as Evening Primrose Oil and Vit E helps too.

Don't cry....your skin will get better. It's not a hopeless situation--you just got to find the right products to work for you.

molly

dorri · 03-14-2005, 09:36 PM

Molly, thanks. The one thing I know I need to do is to take a whole new approach to looking after my skin. The products I used before, just don't cut it anymore. I will look and see if I can find any olive oil products around here. I'm in Canada and many of the products that are sold in the US are unheard of here. Thanks again.