Light to moderate peri- & menopausal acne + signs of ageing

During perimenopause or menopause, acne manifests as red spots, with or without pus, centred mostly around the mouth and chin areas. Acne at this stage is mainly due to the drop in oestrogen, but not only.

Cleansing is an important step in skincare. If you wear oil-based makeup or SPF during the day, use a gentle oil-based makeup remover, then follow with a cleanser. A gentle cleanser is half the battle won in skin health, so choose your cleanser wisely.

Daily Skincare Routine

For light to moderate, peri- or menopausal acne + signs of ageing

AM:

1. Cleanse face with gentle Triple Action Cleanser + cold water to rinse. This concentrated cleanser doesn't foam and only a small amount is needed. It mildly exfoliates and adds probiotic. Pat dry leaving a little bit of moisture for the next step.
2. Apply Vitamin C Serum in Oil to the whole face. This serum will repair skin barrier, nourish and add powerful antioxidants. The vitamin C will also help with preventing deep scarring.
3. Apply Multilayer Serum to spots to target redness & sebum.
4. Apply Regulating Cream to whole face to regulate bacteria and to prevent future blemishes.
5. Take Skin & Stress food supplement (1 capsule) to replenish shortages of antioxidants and minerals.
6. Take Skin & Biotics food supplement (2 capsules) to assist in the gut health and hormonal balance.

PM:

1. Cleanse face with Triple Action Cleanser + cold water.
2. Apply Multilayer Serum to spots.
3. Mix 1 drop of Vitamin C Serum in Oil with Regulating Cream, and apply to whole face.

Nutrition

Based on the new science of nutrition, healthy eating now has a new purpose. Given the overarching importance of our gut microbiome in overall health and skin health, we should be choosing foods to feed our gut microbiome. To improve acne, a skin problem related to hormones, we should also prioritise food to help balance our hormones.

Foods that help feed our microbiome are:
- Fibre-rich fruits and vegetables such as oats, broccoli, bananas, apples, cabbage, etc.
- Diversity of plant based foods - aim for a minimum of 30- 35 different foods (including herbs, spices, seeds, fruits, vegetables) per week to improve the diversity of the gut microbiome .

Foods that help restore hormone balance are:
- Healthy fats such as olive oil, flaxseed, crushed hemp seeds, avocado, nuts.
- Omega 3s (fish oil or omega 3 supplements).

Increase consumption of phytoestrogens:
- Soy products like edamame, tofu, miso.
- Flaxseeds crushed, garlic, sesame seeds, and others.

Reduce sugar:
- Higher sugar (including simple carbs) produce more insulin. More insulin leads to more androgens. More androgens lead to more sebum and potentially to acne or spots.
- In ageing skin, sugar leads to premature ageing in a process called glycation. Glycation damages collagen and elastin and can't be reversed, leading to sagging skin and wrinkles.

Foods that have been linked to aggravating acne are cow's milk, processed or fried foods, sugar and chocolate.

Lifestyle

Exercise increases blood flow, and blood carries oxygen and nutrients to working cells around the body, including the skin. Physical movement is also key in hormone balancing. Any form of exercise works, from fast walking to resistance training like weightlifting. Find an activity you like to do, and you're more likely to stick with it.

Managing stress is another key element of heath and healthy skin. Incorporate some kind of breathing exercises into your life, even if it's just a few minutes each day. Yoga is a great way to combine physical and breathing exercises. In sustained periods of stress, our Skin & Stress Food Supplement, rich in antioxidants and magnesium is a real helper.

Improve your sleep and take time out to relax. Stress is an aggravating factor for acne, and many people suffer stress without recognising the symptoms.