Oestrogen is one hell of an amazing hormone that has over 300 functions in the female body with almost every cell in the body having an Oestrogen receptor. It promotes healthy heart, brain and bone health and keeps every part of us hydrated and supple.
During menopause when Oestrogen starts to decline, we can begin to notice a lot of changes occurring, one of those being that our skin can start to feel very dry. The decline in Oestrogen causes us to lose collagen, elasticity and moisture. We basically start to dry up!
BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS!
There is lots we can do for ourselves to improve this naturally, it may mean changing our ways and introducing new habits which sometimes can be hard but the benefits are worth it.
HYDRATION: Our brain is made up of around 80% water. Every part of our body relies on water to function properly. Without it you can suffer with headaches, brain fog, fatigue, constipation, low mood, the list is endless. Our skin needs moisture to stay plump, firm and to have that all important healthy glow. To prevent dryness and wrinkles setting in prematurely you need to drink at least 2 litres per day. Some helpful tips are to carry a bottle of water with you at all times if you are out and about. Keep a glass topped up at home or at work and sip throughout the day, don’t down it. This will prevent you constantly needing a wee! You can add a pinch of sea salt to your water to help your body hold onto it more. Add freshly sliced lemons, oranges or limes for extra taste if you find plain water boring. Ultimately this is a non-negotiable, YOUR BODY NEEDS WATER, YOUR BODY WILL THANK YOU FOR IT
DIET: Eating a diet rich in healthy fats can literally keep us oiled. Dry skin, joint pain, difficulty losing weight and fatigue are just some of the symptoms of a low fat/no fat diet. I recommend eating a Mediterranean style diet, rich in healthy fats, largely plant based which means its packed full of phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals and very low in sugar and processed foods. Our sex hormones are made from good cholesterol so we need to be eating healthy fats for Oestrogen to be made in the first place. We can find healthy fats in nuts like Brazils, Walnuts and Almonds. Extra Virgin Olive oil (look out for my blog about the amazing benefits of this) and coconut oil. Seeds like Flaxseeds, Pumpkin, Sunflower and Sesame. Avocadoes, Tahini, Almond Butter and oily fish like Salmon, Mackerel and Sardines. Make salad dressings with Extra Virgin Olive oil and use in cooking. Sprinkle nuts over salads or eat as snacks. Bake seeds with some spices and eat as a very tasty snack or add to smoothies and cakes.
SKIN CARE:
Use a good natural skin care range. So many cosmetics are packed full of chemicals that all contribute to clogging up our elimination system and disrupt hormone health. I am an Ambassador for Tropic Skincare who do not use any harmful chemicals in their products and are freshly made using the best ingredients. If you would like a free skincare consultation please get in touch and to order visit my web shop and set up an account choosing Sarah Pinckney Colchester as your Ambassador. www.tropicskincare.com/sarahpinckney.com.
I also recommend taking a Collagen supplement. Collagen is one of the main proteins in the body and makes up most of our body’s tissues, muscles, bones, skin, hair, digestive system and tendons. Collagen is like the glue that holds everything together and by replacing this you can notice a huge difference to your skin, hair, nails and joints. Collagen comes in powder and capsule form and can be taken from the bones and skin from bovine Cows and pigs. It’s important to choose pasture raised and grass fed for the best quality. Marine collagen comes generally from fish.
I take marine collagen with a Vitamin C tablet as this helps the body to absorb the collagen easier. After about a month I really noticed a big difference in the texture of my hair, skin and nails so much so I would never not take it now! I can recommend Pureclinica collagen, a marine collagen in capsule form, click here and Hunter and Gather for a bovine collagen in powder form, click here.
Coenzyme Q10 or more commonly known CoQ10 is a very important anti-ageing compound that generates energy within our cells. It is a powerful antioxidant and protects cells against the aging process and is helpful in the prevention and treatment of some chronic diseases. It declines drastically with age so taking a supplement can be a great idea. You can read more about it here.
So as you can see there is lots you can do naturally to nourish your body to help keep your skin looking and feeling youthful through midlife and beyond. Don’t forget to be consistent with everything you do, if you want the best results you must be committed and you will achieve great results.
Sarah x