Menopausal Itching Explained
Itchy skin is a common symptom during peri-menopause and menopause and is caused by declining levels of oestrogen in the body. Lower levels of oestrogen can lead to a decrease in collagen, which is a protein that strengthens your skin. The lack of collagen in your body makes your skin thinner, drier and more likely to itch.
This particular symptom tends to be caused by an overproduction of histamine. Histamine is a chemical created by the body to defend the immune system when triggered by allergens. Menopause can be a stressful period for women, hormonal changes and stress can be a trigger of histamine and when this histamine reaction hits the skin, it can cause an itching sensation in the skin.
Itching of the skin is also a common side of getting older as our skin tends to get thinner.
Skincare For Menopausal Itching
Whilst skincare alone may not help cure menopausal itching on the skin, using gentle, hydrating products on your skin should help alleviate any irritation and redness associated with itching.
Revitalising Cleanser
This cleanser is the perfect product for dry, sensitive and itchy skin, as the milky formula gently cleanses the skin, leaving the skin clean, hydrated and refreshed, with reduced sensitivity after use.
This gentle facial cleanser contains 93% natural ingredients, including grapeseed oil to remove dirt and debris, while nourishing the skin at the same time. While chamomile and green tea are both rich in antioxidants to protect the skin from exposure to sunlight and pollution. These ingredients are also potent anti-inflammatories, to reduce redness in irritated skin and inflamed breakouts and strengthen the skin barrier over time.
Revitalising Toner
A spray toner infused with Vitamin C and Cucumber to brighten, increase skin hydration and soothe skin sensitivity. This alcohol free toner also features cooling cucumber water – a known anti-inflammatory that works to help reduce redness, alongside Sodium PCA and Pro-Vitamin B5 to deeply moisturise and repair the skin barrier. While its delicate, non-irritating fragrance makes this a joy to use. The ideal toner for balanced/normal, dry and sensitive skin, it will leave your complexion refreshed, soothed and perfectly prepped for moisturiser, which is why it should be an essential part of your skin routine.
Advanced Calming Serum
This targeted calming serum is formulated with an extract of walnut and a special botanical complex to repair and protect the skin barrier. An ideal serum for sensitive skin, it works to reduce skin sensitivity and redness and calm irritated skin.
While a special Soothing Phytocomplex restricts the blood vessels, which together with a Botanical Calming Complex, works to reduce swelling and discomfort. It can be used to treat a number of issues such as skin irritation caused by itching, menopausal hot flashes, and even inflamed breakouts.
Advanced Time Delay Day Cream SPF30
For skin that needs a hydrating energy boost, this nourishing day cream for mature skin is brimming with hydrating and nourishing ingredients that supercharge our skin cells for a plumped, glowing complexion. It also contains that all-important broad spectrum SPF to shield skin from the sun’s damaging rays.
The key ingredient is a complex called Regenacell™, which stimulates our skin cells’ ability to produce ATP – this is what ‘charges’ our skin cells, helping them to regenerate. While Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that works to protect and repair skin from sun and pollution damage. If you don’t want to have to apply a separate sunscreen, this day cream is infused with broad spectrum SPF to protect against UVA and UVB rays (ageing and burning). And hyaluronic acid soaks up moisture like a sponge, locking it into the skin to keep it smooth and radiant, with a reduction in appearance of fine lines in four weeks.
Skincare Tips to Manage An Itchy Face During Menopause
Stick to a regular skincare routine
If the skin has become increasingly irritated it’s important to start by repairing the barrier. Using products with Ingredients such as Grapeseed oil, Vitamin A, C and E and Shea butter make a great environmental defence matrix and will replace dull, tired complexions with vibrant, radiant skin.
Moisturise regularly
Use a moisturiser to help repair the skin barrier and to keep skin healthy and hydrated. Top tip - always moisturise straight after a bath or shower while skin is still damp to lock in moisture.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a great product to use during menopause as it can help to speed up the production of collagen in the skin. Consuming Vitamin C in your diet and applying topically, help to fight free radicals and repair skin damage, it is not a vitamin that is stored in the body, so you need to ensure you consume enough daily through fruit and vegetables. When applying topically, look out for Vitamin C in the form of an oil or serum formula as this helps to deeply penetrate and nourish skin.
Wear SPF Daily
Protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays daily by applying an SPF of no less than SPF30 to your skin. Sun damage can dry your skin out further so by applying a daily SPF you can help to prevent further sensitivities to your skin.
How to Prevent Itching During The Menopause
Take a look at some of our top tips below to prevent itchy skin.
Stay Hydrated
Hydrate your skin from the inside out. Consuming 2 litres of water a day can help to keep uric acid levels down, which when raised, can make itching worse.
Avoid Hot Showers
Try and keep your water temperatures lukewarm as hot water can increase dryness in the skin. Also trying to limit your time in the shower can help, less than 10 minutes is recommended. If you love to take a bath, try keeping them at a cooler temperature and limit to a few a week. Top Tip: taking a cool shower may help to reduce hot flashes.
Reduce Caffeine and Alcohol Consumption
Caffeine and alcohol consumption are known as vasodilators, which can widen the blood vessels in your skin. Limiting consumption of these types of drinks will help to reduce levels of dehydration in the skin.
Fatty Acids
Try incorporating essential fatty acids into your diet. Eating good fats such as olive oil, nuts and seeds and oily fish all help to contribute to healthy skin cells.
FAQs On The Menopause And Itching Skin
How Long Will My Skin Be Itchy For and when should I see a GP?
Most of the time, itching can be managed at home with creams and lifestyle changes but if it doesn’t ease using these measures, it is advised to contact your GP who can advise prescription products that will offer relief.
Can menopause cause itching all over?
Itchy skin can occur on any part of your body, but is more likely to occur on your:
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face
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limbs
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neck
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chest
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back
You may also experience itchy skin on your elbows and the T-zone of your face.
