Welcome back to “Ask Andi Anything!” As a compounding pharmacist in the women’s health and wellness industry, I get asked a lot of questions about skincare and hormones – especially from women who notice changes in dryness and elasticity (all over their bodies) as they get older.
What most women don’t realize is the important connection between skin health and hormones. It’s not just about “getting old” and dealing with crepey skin. The underlying reasons for the differences in skin and hair as you age are often directly related to hormonal imbalances. So, this issue of “Ask Andi Anything!” is dedicated to answering your most common skin health and wellness questions.
Q: How are hormones directly related to skin health?
A: As estradiol levels normally decline beginning around age 30, and especially during perimenopause and menopause, estrogen deficiency directly impacts skin health. Low estrogen affects your skin on a cellular level, which can lead to:
- Collagen loss/loss of elasticity
- Changes in circulation
- Dryness (including vaginal tissue)
- Wrinkles and lines
- Loss of muscle tone/atrophy
- Slower wound healing
- Thinner skin
- Uneven pigmentation/age spots
That’s why you often notice major changes on the surface of your skin as you get older. During menopause, what’s happening under the surface can become visible on the outside.
Q: What can I do to combat these hormone-related changes in my skin?
A: Paying close attention to what goes in and on your body can make a big difference in how your skin ages.
Impaired gut function can negatively impact the health and appearance of your skin by decreasing nutrient absorption and increasing the body’s exposure to toxins.
Eating nutrient-dense foods high in fiber, polyphenols (nutrients found in plants and plant-based foods), antioxidants, and carotenoids (found in vegetables and fruits) can help support both gut function and skin health.
Limit your intake of products that can potentially disrupt the gut, such as sugar, alcohol, dyes, and preservatives. Staying hydrated also helps improve the appearance and texture of the skin.
Q: So, what you’re saying is what we put ON our bodies is just as important as what we put IN our bodies?
A: Exactly. There is an abundance of commercials touting anti-aging products that contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, retinol, vitamin C, peptides, and ceramides. While those ingredients may help support hydration, improve collagen and elasticity, and protect skin cells, many too-good-to-be-true products come with a hidden danger…chemicals that can be damaging to your skin and your wellness.
What ingredients should we watch out for?
Products that contain emulsifiers, preservatives, fragrances, and dyes can damage cells, increase the pH of your skin, and alter the protective microbiome, ultimately leading to unhealthy skin and advanced signs of aging. Certain chemicals can also be endocrine disruptors which can negatively affect your hormonal health.
Pay close attention to product labels. Unknowingly, women are exposed to 150 to 200 chemicals on average DAILY just from their skin care products! It is important to read and evaluate ingredient labels on anything you apply to your skin. Less is better. Utilize products that contain less aggravating ingredients, like apple cider vinegar, natural oils (butters or essential oils), antioxidants, and aloe to help support skin health.
Q: How do hormones fit into a skincare routine?
A: In addition to adopting a more advanced skincare routine than you may have needed in the past and paying close attention to lifestyle factors, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can also help address the visible changes you see in your skin. As hormones – specifically estrogen and testosterone – decrease during perimenopause and menopause, so does collagen and elastin, and moisture is scarce, leading to thin, dry, wrinkled, sagging skin.
Hormone optimization supports levels of collagen and elastin and may lead to plumper, firmer skin. Hormones may also enhance moisture and hydration in the skin. If you are starting to notice changes in your skin and are concerned about the signs of aging, it may be time to discuss with your doctor if bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is right for you.
Q: How are hormones related to other changes like facial hair, acne, thinning hair, and melasma?
A: Hormones that are too high or too low can be associated with skin changes, such as acne, thinning head hair, increased facial hair, and melasma.
For many women, acne was only a nuisance during puberty, but adult acne is becoming more prevalent. Over 25% of women in their 40s report having acne. I frequently have women tell me that they never broke out as a teen, but now that they are entering perimenopause, they have pimples everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Although acne may be associated with decreased gut health and certain foods, hormones can also play an integral part in its appearance.
Any fluctuation in hormones during puberty, pregnancy, the menstrual cycle, or perimenopause, can trigger acne or melasma.
Melasma is a skin condition in which the skin becomes discolored (usually tan or dark brown) in patches. Many women first experience melasma during pregnancy. It was previously associated with high levels of hormones, but women going through menopause and a decline in hormones can experience it, too.
Thinning head hair or an increase in facial/body hair may also be associated with hormone fluctuations. Balancing hormones in a timely manner may help to resolve or minimize the changes in texture or amount of hair loss/growth a woman experiences. It is important to note that issues with thyroid function may also be a cause of hair loss or change in texture.
Read about how bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is one of celebrity Vanessa Williams’ secrets to aging naturally (and beautifully) from the inside out.
Questions for Andi?
Email your questions to: askandi@belmarpharmacy.com
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*The information expressed in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding any condition or medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site.