How to Take Care of Menopausal Skin

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her ovaries stop making eggs, her periods end and estrogen levels decline. A person in menopause may experience hot flashes and have problems sleeping. Stay active by exercising every day and find new hobbies and interests as you enter this new phase of life. Take care of your skin's health as well to counteract the dryness which occurs because of low estrogen levels.

Instructions

• 1

  Incorporate essential fatty acids into your diet. Essential fatty acids help keep your skin hydrated, states WebMD. Essential fatty acids are found in salmon, walnuts, sardines, soy and flax.

• 2

  Wear sunscreen. Dr. Andrea Cambio, a dermatologist in Florida, recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or above. The sun can make the skin drier and also lead to moles and skin cancer. So use an ounce of sunscreen to cover all areas of skin that are exposed to the sun.

• 3

  Shower carefully. Shower in warm water because hot water can remove oils on the skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. Also, try to shower for only 15 minutes or less.

• 4

  Use gentle soaps on the skin. Use soaps that contain additional oils and fats. Avoid antibacterial cleansers because, according to the Mayo Clinic, these type of cleansers can dry out the skin.

• 5

  Use moisturizers on dry skin. Apply an over-the-counter cream or use oil or petroleum jelly. Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi says that petroleum jelly is one of the best moisturizers. Apply it to damp skin after bathing to retain the moisture in the skin.

• 6

  Use a face cream twice a day. Try creams that contain vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. You can also use creams which contain hyaluronic acid and shea butter.

• 7

  Speak to your dermatologist about skin concerns such as acne. Your doctor may be able to give you a prescription for your skin condition. Menopausal skin may not respond well to over-the-counter lotions or antibiotics, according to the North American Menopause society.