“Some women talk about it happening overnight, but it crept up on me.”

RUTH LANGSFORD, NEWS PRESENTER

My Story

My skin changed so much when I hit menopause. The hormones that repaired and plumped my skin started to decrease. My face became so much drier and more sensitive. Wrinkles deepened, and my skin got thinner and more prone to redness. I also started to get quite itchy skin. On top of the hormonal-based changes, the past started to catch up with me, too, and my former excessive alcohol intake and exposure to the sun both began to take their toll. I grew up in South Africa and didn’t really bother with sunscreen—and I can now see the damage that caused.

No longer could I just borrow my daughter’s face masks and beauty treatments; I had to really think about what I was putting on my skin and be so much gentler with it. I am also now adamant that anything I use must be vegan and organic with recyclable packaging. I still love the sun but make sure my moisturizer has a high SPF to prevent further sun damage. I use my own MegsMenopause product, S.W.A.L.K. Hyaluronic Acid Serum, with my moisturizer, as it adds extra hydration. I am also obsessed with Face Gym, which is a full workout for the face. I go weekly to a local salon for a session. I can’t lie, though—I do have a bit of other help. I have Botox regularly and I have also had laser resurfacing. I haven’t had any other surgery, but am not ruling it out—I am looking at a neck lift and maybe getting my eyes done.

I don’t just stop at my face, though. I continue skincare down to my neck, chest, and the rest of my body; plus, I body brush. This involves brushing the body with a natural brush in long, firm strokes. It sloughs off dead skin cells, encourages drainage of the lymph nodes, and increases circulation. I also enjoy baths with Epsom salts. They are expensive, so I buy them in bulk and then decant them into a pretty white container, which I keep in the bathroom.

The good news…One thing that did improve with menopause was my hair, which got thicker, which I think was due to the HRT I was using, although it might just have been a change to a healthier lifestyle. The color needs a bit of help now (I’m mousy brown with a liberal sprinkling of gray!!) so every six to eight weeks I go and get it colored. I tend to change around my hair products, as I find my hair gets used to them and they don’t work so well after a couple of months. My eyebrows are a bit wild (I am very happy about the current trend for big eyebrows…) and are also a bit gray, so I also get them tidied and colored regularly.

In terms of makeup, I do think less is more as you get older. My makeup bag now consists of tinted moisturizer with a high SPF, mascara, and lipstick. I have a few more tips on this page. I do get acrylic nails, as they make my fingers look longer, but they do wreck my real nails. I keep trying to leave my nails natural to strengthen them, but that only ever lasts a few days, then I end up getting a new set put on!

It’s also important not to give up on style just because menopause has kicked in. I have always adored fashion. I remember hitchhiking to London from Norfolk to buy a pair of Vivienne Westwood shoes that I had been saving for from my pay working at a fish and chip shop. I worked in fashion and spent every penny on it—often living on beans for the full month so that I could buy something to make me look good. That obsession has never stopped. I still really enjoy getting dressed up rock–chick style if I am going out. During the day, though, I am mainly in casual activewear, and if I have been out all day I love coming back, taking a bath, and putting my pajamas on—even if it is just 4 p.m.! You may need to dress around the hot flashes if they’re hitting, and I found layers were the key to dealing with the sweats in winter—my go-to outfit is a vest, a baggy T–shirt, a sweater, and a big cashmere wrap and gloves so that I can take things on and off when I need to. For summer, it is floaty dresses and sandals.

I used to be so paranoid about how I looked. I battled with myself when I was in the public eye, as the tabloids and magazines would comment on my weight. I felt short and stocky and not at all waif-like, which was the “in” way to look. Ironically, this made me comfort eat, which, of course, led to gaining more weight. I’d jump from fad diet to fad diet. But something has clicked, and I’m comfortable in my own skin. I accept I have short legs but appreciate they are strong, healthy legs. I look in the mirror and say affirmations and am grateful for my life, taking one day at a time. My happiness is peace and acceptance of myself.

So, now, over to one of my favorite skin experts, Dr. Nigma Talib, who works magic on so many celebrities, to talk about why skin changes when menopause starts—and then she will talk hair with leading trichologist Anabel Kingsley.

expert view

Let’s Talk
About…skin

WITH DR. NIGMA TALIB, NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR

Estrogen is good for skin. In fact, it’s possibly the most important hormone when it comes to keeping skin feeling and looking youthful, so when levels start to fall it’s not surprising that changes in appearance occur.

We lose around 1 percent in skin thickness each year after menopause and as much as 30 percent of our collagen in the five years afterward, leading to an increase in lines and wrinkles and a loss of firmness. Estrogen also helps skin retain moisture more effectively, which means skin can become drier after menopause.

Falling estrogen levels can also make the mast cells in the skin oversensitive, leading to an increase in irritation or allergies. Lastly, the change in the balance of hormones can lead to a dominance of androgen hormones and the development of adult acne.

Hormone replacement therapy can help many of these areas—research has shown that post-menopausal women supplementing with estrogen were less likely to develop drier skin and had fewer lines and wrinkles than those not using it, for example, but it’s not the only thing you can use. It’s also super important to give the skin topical support with a good skincare regime.

The Perfect Menopause Skincare Plan

• Start with exfoliation. Estrogen affects skin cell turnover, so the rate of this falls when estrogen does, but exfoliation can help create faster turnover and a brighter look. Faster cell renewal can also help prevent blockages and breakouts related to adult acne. Both glycolic acids and salicylic acids help here in that they dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells onto the surface. Glycolic acids are particularly good for those with more mature skin, as they also stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, but salicylic acids can be better if you have oily skin. They’re also particularly good for those with acne or skin that tends to break out as they have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

• You should use moisturizer daily but also invest in a good serum containing hyaluronic acid to further boost hydration. Hyaluronic acid can contain up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, making it key to plump, youthful-looking skin, but by the time we reach our mid-forties, we only make about half as much as we need, so some external help is needed. If your skin is sensitive, look at products containing probiotics; these can help balance the skin’s microbiome and reinforce its protective barrier. Some forms have also been shown to fight the bacteria that cause acne.

• Each night use a serum or night moisturizer, ideally one that contains plant stem cells. They are extremely beneficial to the skin, as they are taken from the cells that protect plants against environmental damage. Two of the hardiest botanicals on the planet that you might spot in products are the Uttwiler Spatlauber apple (famed because it can be stored for weeks without starting to shrivel) or the Alpine rose (which grows about two miles above sea level and yet protects itself beautifully against the high levels of UV radiation found at that altitude).

• Plant stem cells have a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, so used during the day they can help to protect against UV sun damage and prevent wrinkles, but at night they help skin regenerate against damage. They can also promote the production of new collagen. Products containing stem cells can be expensive, so it’s important to choose reputable brands that justify the cost. I like Swisscode, and you’ll also find plant stem cells in my serum, Dr. Nigma Serum No 1.

expert view

Let’s Talk
About…Hair

WITH ANABEL KINGSLEY, CONSULTANT TRICHOLOGIST

As Meg points out, hair can get thicker at menopause, as the right HRT can definitely benefit your hair by boosting levels of falling estrogen. Some women also find their hair and scalp get less oily now. However, it’s more common that women notice their hair getting thinner. There are two types of thinning that can occur, and you can have one or both. The first is an increase in shedding that can happen at the beginning of menopause as estrogen falls. It’s not permanent, lasting only four to six months, but it can be quite worrying when you see a lot of hair coming out when you brush. Thickening shampoos and conditioners can help disguise hair loss until things readjust.

The second type of thinning is caused by the shift in the ratio of estrogen to testosterone that occurs at menopause. Women who have a genetic predisposition, which means their hair follicles are sensitive to testosterone, can be affected by this. Testosterone shortens the hair growth cycle and can also miniaturize the hair follicles so that hair grows through thinner. This type of hair thinning is more gradual than the shedding, and rather than finding hair in your brush, you start to notice your scalp becoming more visible or your part getting wider. If you do notice it happening, products containing a drug called minoxidil can help slow the changes. At Philip Kingsley we also sell stimulating scalp drops that contain anti-androgens, which can help, but they do need a doctor’s prescription. Again, thickening shampoos can be used to disguise thinning hair, but they won’t stop it from happening.

“I realized I’d been using the same skincare and makeup since I was 17—it was now over three decades later. I booked some time with a department store and left with a full new set of skincare and makeup.”

MEG’S MAKEUP
TIPS FOR MENOPAUSE

Wearing makeup can be difficult during menopause, as hot flashes can cause makeup to come off. I’ve found a few simple product swaps that can help keep things in place:

• First, start with a sweat-proof or oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin healthy and hydrated through the day (note: sweat is not hydrating).

• Always use primer for both your face and your eye makeup, as it’ll hold on to your makeup for longer. Plus, primer can fill in and smooth out wrinkles.

• If you wear foundation, stick with long-wear liquid foundation instead of powder foundation (which doesn’t mix well with sweat). If hot flashes are causing redness, avoid blush.

• For eye makeup, use waterproof products, like waterproof mascara and smudge-free waterproof eyeliner, and avoid your lower lid, which tends to be the first thing to smudge down.

• Finally, opt for lipstain instead of lipstick, since it’ll last longer and won’t smudge off with the heat.

Products I Like

I am lucky to be sent many complimentary products and have tried many brands over the years. I get asked a lot about what I use, so thought I would list some of my favorites for those who are eager to find out:

MegsMenopause S.W.A.L.K.

Premium Hyaluronic Acid Serum: Hyaluronic acid stops skin from being dry, and this has one of the highest percentages out there—you can use it with your normal moisturizer to give your skin a boost.

MegsMenopause Rosey Rain

When you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed or getting a hot flash at work, a quick spritz of this and some breathing exercises (see this page) really calm things down.

Weleda

Another great natural brand. I really trust their products—my favorites are the lavender oil and creams.

Mio skin products

This is a vegan, organic brand that I love—they have all sorts of face and body products. I particularly like their bath line.

Aesop

I love the lip balm, hand cream, body cream—in fact, anything Aesop. I love their packaging and everything else about them.

L’Oréal Keratin

For my hair I use L’Oréal Keratin shampoo and conditioner, and every few weeks I do a protein Aveda treatment at home.

Kat Burki

I’m using the Super Peptide Firming Crème and Retin-C Treatment Complex at the moment—I swap skincare a lot, but I think this brand is coming out on top of my list right now.

Studio10 Makeup

This is really good for more mature skin. Everything is very soft to apply, and it’s very hydrating. You’re not trying to put on a rough brown glitter that sinks into every crevice in your eyelid like with some other brands of makeup.

Institut Esthederm Adaptasun

I like to have a year-round tan, so I use Institut Esthederm Adaptasun sunscreen and after sun.

Fashion and Jewelry

My favorite designers include: Rixo, Ganni, Studio B, Zara, Raey, and American Vintage (I love their cotton T-shirts). For workout gear, I love Unicorn, Nike, and Sweaty Betty. I swear by Balenciaga sneakers (comfortable and look good) and Gucci loafers. And let’s not forget Missoni for bikinis! I love gold jewelry, in particular the long necklaces from Celine and my necklaces with M on them.