The skin is the window to our inner health!
When we have imbalances inside, it’s one of the first organs to react. Our skin is the largest organ in the body. It’s our first line of defense, and the reason we can feel things. It also helps regulate temperature and absorb nutrients.
A lot of people treat the skin like a “minor” organ. But, it actually plays a big part in maintaining our health. However, the skin is a delicate and sensitive organ. In fact, there are over 3,000 possible skin disorders in the world.
For this reason, we must take care of it, especially during midlife!
Our skin also feels the passage of time. Our skin cells begin to shrink. Our once tight skin becomes loose. And we can’t retain moisture anymore. Add menopause into the mix, and the result is dry skin patches.
If you’re experiencing dry skin patches, we have tons of helpful tips for you!
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Why Do I Have Dry Skin Patches in Menopause?
Hormonal change is the main culprit why we get dry skin patches in menopause!
Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone make sure that we have healthy skin. Estrogen and testosterone work together to produce skin-protecting proteins, such as collagen and elastin. They also stimulate the natural production of body oils, which moisturize our skin.
However, our body needs to maintain the delicate balance of estrogen and testosterone. Any imbalance in their ratio can cause negative effects – severe oily skin, acne breakouts, dry skin patches and others.
For this reason, our body needs a mediator in the form of progesterone. Progesterone keeps an eye on protein and body oil production.
In menopause, we experience hormonal imbalances that cause dry skin patches. Hormone changes also suppress the functions of our thyroid gland. An underactive thyroid can cause dry coarse skin.
Are dry skin patches really that serious?
Prolonged skin dryness can branch to other skin problems like irritation, itchiness, rashes and small bumps. It makes us more prone to sun damage and age spots. Dry skin patches also increase our risk of infection. Natural skin moisture helps trap bacteria and prevents them from entering the body.
Besides hormonal imbalances, diet and stress can also cause dry skin patches. Lack of specific vitamins and minerals may affect how our skin tissues are built. Too much stress can cause poor blood flow to our skin, especially in our hands and feet.
Truth is, we can’t create and retain natural skin moisture the way we did in our youth. But we can support our hormones and sluggish body functions! There are also plenty of ways to relieve dry skin patches.
Best Natural Skin Care Tips to Solve Dry Skin Patches during Menopause!
Caring for our skin sounds daunting, but it’s not. Skin care products and skin hygiene can help, but knowing the root cause is the best way to go.
How we eat affects everything – including our skin!
I eat the Keto-green way and it has done wonders for my skin. Well, my skin isn’t exactly the way it was when I was younger, but it’s supple and soft. Love how it looks!
The Keto-green diet happens to be hormone balancing, anti-inflammatory and gut-friendly too. So, that’s a big bonus! Following this diet is a no-brainer and it’s not restricting.
Below are Keto foods to eat!
- Fatty fish such as salmon, cod, herring, tuna and halibut.
- Walnuts, Brazil nuts, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, chia and pumpkin seeds are good to consume.
- Bone broth, grass-fed lean meat, organic eggs, shellfish and seafoods.
- Dark leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, legumes, avocado, citrus fruits and berries.
These foods are rich in collagen, a major protein the builds new skin cells and repairs damaged ones. Bone broth, in particular, has very high collagen content. Besides keeping the skin healthy, bone broth also heals our gut and improves bones and joint health.
Make your own healthy and delicious bone broth at home using this book. If you’re pressed for time, this collagen supplement is one way to go.
Besides collagen, the foods I mentioned are also rich in healthy fats such as omega-3 and omega-6. These essential fatty acids help produce hormones, stimulate oil production and regenerate the skin. However, we need to make sure that our diet includes a balanced amount of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to get their health benefits.
Because it’s been found that most people in a typical western diet consume too much omega-6 and too little of omega-3. High omega-6 can cause inflammation and increase our risk of diseases. Low omega-3 can cause dry skin and scalp.
Be sure to eliminate processed vegetable oils and foods from your diet. It’s good to take fatty acid supplements such as this Krill oil.
If you eat keto-green foods, you’ll get plenty of amino acids, calcium, magnesium, zinc and sulfur. These minerals promote hormone balance and encourage new skin cell growth. Veggies and fruits are rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, which are known as potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory vitamins.
If you want to eat a diet that is good for the skin, gut, brain and weight, then go with the keto-green diet. You can check out Dr. Anna Cabeca’s “Breeze through Menopause Masterclass”! She will give you the right knowledge and tools to get started and going!
Exercise is important to keep supple and glowing skin.
Movement keeps our blood circulation working well, but there are other reasons why exercise is so good for the skin!
- Powers up lymphatic flow which hastens detoxification.
- Opens the sweat glands and flushes out toxins.
- Stimulates proteins to build more new skin cells.
If you like going to the gym or joining different classes, that’s fine. But don’t forget to move around during the day. Do jumping jacks, a brisk walk and a quick strength training routine while brewing your coffee. All movements are good – find something that you enjoy! Get your body moving and get rid of dry skin patches!
Organic is terrific!
Go organic as much as possible. They have a lot more nutritional value – exactly what your body needs!
Coconut oil, olive oil and sesame oil are some of the best natural moisturizers. Use these oils on all parts of the body (except your eyes), even your delicate areas.
Sharing with you my secret technique when applying oils!
Dry brush your entire body first, apply the oil of your choice and then take a lukewarm shower.
No need to use soap, you can also use these oils when doing a massage. It will make your skin soft and you’ll be able to relax.
Alicia Diaz of Banyan Botanicals talks about the benefits of self-massage and how you can do it in this video [6:02]:
You can also make your own natural and organic lotion.
Use a natural hand cream like this DIY handmade lotion with frankincense, lavender and peppermint oils by Dr. Josh Axe.
If you do buy skin products, stay away from fragrances, alcohol and starches. They wick moisture and dries up your skin fast!
Most skincare products also have harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin and ruin our skin’s pH. They also have plenty of toxins and hormone-disrupting chemicals.
Use natural skincare!
Almost 60% of what we use on your skin gets absorbed into the body. Picking skincare products with natural ingredients is a good way to keep our skin looking vibrant without compromising our health.
Choose natural skincare products, like Alitura! The company uses all-natural and organic ingredients for its products, so they’re safer than commercial brands.
I like this organic body lotion for women and men, it’s great for healing dry skin patches! If you want an anti-aging cream, this gold serum for the face and skin with collagen is an excellent buy.
To complete your nighttime skincare routine, put on some of these anti-aging night creams!
And who would forget the most classic advice for skin health – drink water!
Have at least eight glasses of water daily and avoid sodas and caffeinated drinks. Proper hydration can go a long way for healthy skin!
Support and keep your body healthy! Eat nutritious food, take vitamins and minerals, drink lots of water, move more, recharge, laugh a lot and it will show on your skin.
Trust me, it’s worth taking care of your skin. After all, you’re going to wear it daily for the rest of your life!
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Find solutions in our help and self-help page!
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What’s your experience with dry skin patches? How did you relieve it? Tell us your skincare secrets in the comment box below!
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References:
http://drramanstl.com/2016/05/23/hormones-affect-hair-skin-nails/
https://health-science-spirit.com/Healing_the_Body/Deficiency-Symptoms.html
https://draxe.com/beauty/brittle-nails/
https://draxe.com/health/dry-eye-syndrome/
https://www.weightandwellness.com/resources/articles-and-videos/how-can-i-improve-my-hair-and-nails/
https://draxe.com/health/dry-eye-syndrome/
https://chriskresser.com/nutrition-for-healthy-skin-part-1/
http://www.medicalmedium.com/blog/skin-hair-nail-health
Gita is the founder of My Menopause Journey. Since 2014, she has been supporting midlife women by sharing hard-earned learnings from her own experience. To advance her knowledge, Gita puts a lot of her time and effort into understanding the broad spectrum of women’s health. She immerses in extensive research about the physical, mental and emotional aspects of menopause. Gita believes in the life-changing power of healthy, holistic living — this is where she anchors her message to all women. Learn more about her marvelous mission in About us - My Menopause Journey.