Have you noticed changes in your skin in your late 30s, 40s, and 50s? You’re not alone. You might also see your skin change throughout the month if you’re menstruating. As we get older, estrogen and other hormones gradually decrease, which directly impacts our skin.
I’ve experienced this myself as I’m currently in my mid-to-late 40s, and I’ve had to tweak my routine to help my skin adjust. I’ll be sharing these tips in a future post, so stay tuned—don’t worry, we’re in this together!
While it’s well-documented that estrogen impacts skin health, researchers still have much to learn. Sadly, studies focused on women’s health issues are lagging behind those for men. Still, here are 9 ways estrogen influences skin health:
1. **Hydration:** Estrogen boosts skin hydration by increasing hyaluronic acid production, essential for moisture retention. It gives skin a plump appearance and a soft feel, which is crucial for a healthy skin barrier.
2. **Oil Production:** Estrogen controls sebum production, keeping skin balanced. Proper sebum levels are vital for preserving the skin barrier and preventing dryness or excessive oiliness.
3. **Strength & Elasticity:** Estrogen contributes to the skin’s extracellular matrix, crucial for strength and elasticity. As estrogen declines, so does skin quality.
4. **Collagen Production:** Estrogen stimulates collagen production, helping maintain skin’s elasticity and firmness while minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and sagging.
5. **Skin Thickness:** Estrogen increases skin thickness by promoting keratinocyte growth, making skin more resilient. You might notice thinner skin at the start of your period when estrogen and progesterone levels are low.
6. **Wound Healing:** Estrogen speeds up wound healing by supporting skin cell growth and new blood vessel formation. As you age, cuts or abrasions might take longer to heal.
7. **Melanin Production:** Estrogen affects melanin production, impacting skin color. Changes in estrogen can lead to darkened freckles, sun spots, or uneven skin tone.
8. **Antioxidant Protection:** Estrogen acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals that damage skin cells and speed up aging.
9. **Anti-Inflammatory Response:** Estrogen moderates inflammation in the skin, helping prevent conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining skin’s health and integrity. Fortunately, there are many ways to counteract these effects without resorting to hormone treatments. Stay tuned for my next post on adjusting your skincare routine as your hormones change.
Thanks, Joy.
Love this! Please share more on this topic.
Hi Wendy! Here’s another blog that might interest you, all about skincare: [How to Care for Perimenopausal Skin](https://hellojoyous.com/blogs/learn/how-to-care-for-perimenopausal-skin)
