At around age 45 to 55 (sometimes as young as 35) women experience a reduction in the female hormone estrogen, which triggers symptoms that differ from woman to woman. Sleeplessness, weight gain, hot flashes, memory loss, emotional disturbance, dry hair and dry skin are common.
In a society that places youthful looks near the top of the list, changes to hair and skin can cause significant concern and low self esteem. Although the ageing process is ongoing, before menopause begins there is a general speeding up of the skin’s reduction in elasticity, skin slackness & loss of tone: pigmentation often increases.
Lifestyle factors such as diet, sun exposure, water intake, and amount of sleep play an important role in the overall health of the skin. Exercise is also relevant to skin ageing. As menopause approaches and hormone levels change, many women feel motivated to quickly try and minimize skin ageing as they witness their complexion losing its youthful look.
To really understand the changes taking place in the skin at this time let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on. The natural cell regeneration cycle, that is directly affected by the amount of hormones being produced, slows as less new cells are coming up to the surface of the skin and an accumulation of dry, dead cells appear on the surface layer. The various layers of the skin including the dermis undergo structural change as the production of proteins (collagen and elastin) reduces causing a thinning of the skin layers. The sub cutaneous layer, which provides the cushioning or fat layer of the skin, becomes flatter. The surface of the skin, the epidermis, is vulnerable as moisture is lost from the surface cells causing wrinkles and lines. Oil secretions slow down causing the skin to lose elasticity and it’s protective film to the environment. The skin can appear dull and rough looking with uneven skin colouration and UV rays have a more potent affect, which in turn can cause cell trauma.
The skin, which is the body’s largest organ, contains thousands of sensory nerve endings, sweat & oil glands, blood vessels and millions of cells. Hormone production also occurs in this complex organ as well waste elimination and regulation of our body’s temperature. The skin also absorbs approximately 60% of what we put onto it. So what are you feeding your skin?
Managing maturing skin requires a long term regular routine to prevent accelerated ageing from occurring. Skin of all types and at any age reacts well to skin care as the protective layer of the skin is improved. Applying products that are healthy for the skin is of absolute significance.
With maturing skin the more you pay attention to detail the better your skin will feel and look. Your skin care should include exfoliation two to three times per week to increase cell regeneration. Layering serums and skin care products definitely gives your skin the advantage. A serum such as Beauty By Nature’s ‘Even Skin Tone Serum’ that contains anti-oxidant vitamins will improve the general health and look of your skin by combating cell damage. Next apply Cell Regenerating Complex that will lift, hydrate & plump your skin before applying Beauty By Nature’s anti ageing Pure Plant Moisturiser with essential oils. Mineral Makeup will also provide protection from the elements whilst also giving your skin an even coloured appearance. Spritzing water such as ‘Settle Petal’ onto your face will keep surface cells moisture rich and at the same time help you to stay feeling calm.
Your skin care routine will benefit your skin when you use Beauty By Nature products as each product contains a specific synergy of essential oils. Science validates essential oils as potent and therapeutic. When high quality oils are combined into your skin care products the results are phenomenal as essential oils penetrate the skin passively through the process know as diffusion.
The human skin can utilize natural plant chemicals to aid in repairing and regenerating skin, which is ideal for skin that is undergoing hormonal change due to menopause. Basically the more skin you cover with aromatherapy oils, the greater the affect to improve your skin and your overall wellbeing.
The very air that you breathe when utilizing essential oils carries the molecules to your nose where they in turn register into your olfactory system in your brain to enhance your wellbeing. So it is quite disconcerting to think that if just one aromatherapy skin care product can have such a significant effect on our body then what effect could toxic skin care ingredients have? What chemical cocktails choices are people making for their bodies remembering that our skin absorbs approximately 60% of what we apply onto it? So many people suffer from headaches, emotional disturbances etc.
so what is in their ‘skin diet’?
Since each essential oil contains different plant chemicals their affects vary eg. some oils are antiseptic, anti-viral, sedative, stimulating. When skillfully combined, essential oils can work synergistically to not only treat the skin but also they may improve your mood. Essential oils can have prolonged psychological effects on our feelings and thoughts because they absorb readily into body fat and then in turn pass easily into the central nervous system. Since our brain is rich in fats, scientists have speculated that essential oils may remain in the brain for some time having a mood altering affect. Oils such as lavender and chamomile are known to be calming whilst peppermint and rosemary have a marked stimulating affect on our skin and mood. Essential oils absorbed into our body either by inhaling them or by transdermal skin penetration utilize protective and preventative properties to help prevent attack from fungi, parasites, viruses, bacteria and toxins. By simply moisturising your face and body you are providing weapons of mass protection!
Most of the cosmetics these days contain synthetic substances, as most companies producing cosmetics want to create their products as cheaply as possible. They may look and feel the same as natural skin care products but you’re dealing with very different outcomes. Some products are produced primarily with man made chemicals created in a laboratory with questionable often toxic ingredients compared to natural skin care that is produced solely from plants. You could use the analogy of a beautiful bunch of real flowers compared to nylon man made material ‘flowers’. They look the same but are very different.
As you are no doubt aware at Beauty By Nature our primary aim is to bring you the highest quality essential oils and natural, healthy ingredients in your skin care products. We want you to have the best for you and your skin… at any age!
A report by Vanessa Bagley