Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Sadie49 on May 14, 2017, 01:19:55 PM

Title: Facial skin changes
Post by: Sadie49 on May 14, 2017, 01:19:55 PM
Greetings to my fellow meno friends! I have another question that some folk maybe able to help me with.

Over recent years (I began the MP around 52 and am now 67) I have noticed the drying out of my skin generally but specifically on my face. I can literally swathe it in top quality face cream but the next day it sill feels like a tarmac surface!

Thankfully, quality foundation covers most of the uneven skin tone, but I hate running my fingers over my face and feeling the dry, almost scale-like texture of it.

I've tried so many facial creams with the promise that with regular use skin will be rejuvenated but not with mine, is seems!

I imagine the scaly texture is due to the lack of that female hormone which helps to keep our skins plump and youthful??....I just wondered if a member has tried a hormone cream which has helped their condition? Or is it just MY condition??? lol!

Any helps very much appreciated.

Kind regards,
xxx
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: Annie0710 on May 14, 2017, 01:27:34 PM
Try overnight hydration cream, the one I use is by Espy I think.  I have got very dry patches on my skin that even a primer before any tinted cream doesn't stop it clumping in the difficult areas but when I put the night hydration cream on before bed it lessens it a lot x
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: babyjane on May 14, 2017, 04:56:33 PM
Hiya, I can't use cosmetics in general, my facial skin reacts to the chemicals and additives in them, even the 'gentle' and 'hypoallergenic' ones.  The one thing that helps my skin is pur organic cold pressed moroccan argan oil, my hair likes it too.  I also cleanse with Green People gentle unscented cleanser and y facial skin is as good as it is going to be but no longer feels like a cheese grater.  My hands also drink up anything I give them, they are very dry especially the ends of my fingers.
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: Mbrown001 on May 14, 2017, 07:01:44 PM
I have very dry sensitive skin and most of the expensive skin creams cause all sorts of outbreaks.
The oatmeal skin cream called Aveeno has really helped me. I alternate between that and E 45. As long as I can put something on that makes things soft then I really don't care if it's cheap or expensive.

It's such a depressing thing to have sore and dried up skin.

Mrs Brown
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: flutterby on May 14, 2017, 09:35:40 PM
Hi Sadie have you tried anything from the Nuture range. I'm 64 and as soon as I stopped HRT my skin became dry and I could see lines appearing when I smiled. I started to use the day and night crams and was absolutely amazed by the difference. Smooth and hydrated skin. I now also use the replenishing serum as well. If you Google Healthspan, they are their products. I reckon the cost probably averages out around £15 a month, less with their offers Flutterbyx
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: Bane on May 15, 2017, 10:11:17 AM
It horrible to have sore skin and my skin reacts to almost everything, I use organic creams  with no artificial preservatives before bed and it helps me to minimize.
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: br350 on May 23, 2017, 03:29:39 PM
I've been using Retin-A (tretinoin gel/cream) which is prescription for about 10 years.  Amazing effects on the skin.  It is really unparalleled for providing good texture, tone and long-term exfoliation.  It helps the skin boost collagen as well.  I used it for a long while in my 20's for cystic acne and it helped me so much the, too.  Can't recommend it enough.   It is available as generic now too, and a tube lasts a very long time.  Just my two cents.  :)
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: samweller161 on May 24, 2017, 10:35:52 AM
L'oreal do a facial oil which I find quite good?  I only use it at night about twice a week and it seems to help - and its only about £10

Sweet almond oil for body lotion - can buy it from ebay or amazon by the litre !

SP x
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: Annika on May 27, 2017, 07:36:24 PM
Hi  Sadie... I too had the same problem and tried everything, gave up using soap on my face entirely and it was still dry and scaly texture. Tried coconut oil,the best face creams,olive oil you name it I tried it. Anyway about a month ago I was so frustrated I bought a tube of Cortizone10 for Eczema I believe the active ingredient is Hydrocortizone 1% and used that on my face. Sometimes you have those moments that are "life changing" well this was one of those moments...my face is back to the way it used to be, really soft and absolutely no dryness. I'm  not sure if you can get this product in the UK or maybe try Amazon I hope you can its not expensive.
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: CLKD on May 28, 2017, 01:04:29 PM
Sent by our US friend, Trey :

Hydrocortisone used frequently is really bad.  Really, really bad.


https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4228634/#!po=26.1905

In addition, when I had breast disease and was given hydorcortison cream for the area that underwent radiation threatment, I was told to use it for 3 days only - a small amount 3 times a day on the burnt area and then throw the tube away  :poke2:
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: babyjane on May 28, 2017, 01:56:19 PM
what's the best thing to do for the layer of fine white hair that is on my face?  Close up it looks like a very fine beard about a quarter of an inch all over, too much to pluck out and not the same texture as the coarse chin whiskers  :-\
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: CLKD on May 28, 2017, 01:57:24 PM
I'm leaving mine ........ it's like soft kitten fur ;-)
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: babyjane on May 28, 2017, 01:59:01 PM
do you think others notice it and are too polite to say, or is it just me  ::)
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: babyjane on May 28, 2017, 03:56:57 PM
phew, that's a relief.  See, I was fretting, now I'm not.  3 cheers for MM  :)
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: CLKD on May 28, 2017, 10:04:20 PM
Himself tells me that he doesn't notice and he is the ONLY person allowed that close  ;) !  It's not a problem although the dark, long hairs are: I measured one on Thursday, it was 2" from the side of my cheek and ouch when I pulled it  :-\
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: babyjane on May 29, 2017, 09:13:21 AM
thank you both, I totally agree  :)
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: Cassie on May 29, 2017, 01:16:25 PM
Tovahfell I have also been using the Retin A to try and improve skin elasticity, collaged building etc, but I was told by a salon that one should only use it for 5 mths then take a break as, in the consultants own words, the skin gets "lazy" and stops producing the good stuff....have you found this at all? I was told to break off it for at least 3 mths every 5 to 6 mths or else to go onto Retinol which one can use indefinitely.
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: CLKD on May 29, 2017, 03:21:07 PM
I think that skin nourishment starts from what we eat!  Lots of fruit and veg., plenty of VitD but not to the extent of getting burnt, however as oestrogen levels drop off so muscles may become lax which includes collegen  ::)
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: Sadie49 on June 05, 2017, 09:38:05 AM
Ladies, thank you SO much for your input and kind advice. I have now got round to reading them all and there is a life-time worth of advice for me to consider - thank you again!

I have always had good skin but over the past 10 years - so 57-67 it has become as one of the ladies said more like a fine cheese grater! I used to use Simple Cleanser and a good moisture cream but now these are not enough.

The funny thing is you can't SEE the rough skin only feel it when I cleanse!! Aveeno is too thick and sticky for me and I wouldn't touch steroid cream but I will def. try out some of the other's mentioned.

Lines I have accepted as part of my life's history but rough skin...well that's not playing fair is it girls!!!

Love you all!

Sadie xxx 8)
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: Hurdity on June 05, 2017, 01:05:02 PM
Hi Sadie49

You mentioned hormone creams - I don't use these but have been on HRT for 10 years - now aged 64 and although I don't use it for that reason, I do think it has helped keep my skin soft  and fairly wrinkle free ( although a bit of sagging). I hadn't really thought about it until I read your post and thought it was more down to genetics and skin type (mine tans easily) but I think oestrogen probably does help. Not that I would advocate taking it for that reason at all! I still do use skin creams - for me it's No 7 - but my skin is now less dry than it was in my youth.

I can understand your frustration! However if you can't see it - then chances are that no-one else can! We always have to make the best of ourselves whatever nature throws at us!

Have you tried pure olive oil - I often put this on my skin when the sun's out - (rather than sun cream) and I am sure it will add a lot of much needed softening moisture to your face (might make the sheets a bit greasy though  ::) ).

Hurdity x
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: babyjane on June 05, 2017, 04:16:59 PM
My son used to use olive oil as he is a sun worshipper.  When he consulted his doctor about a mole he was not happy about he was told it is very foolish to go out in the sun with no protection and olive oil on his skin.  He was literally frying his skin.  Now he uses SPF 15 - 20 and still tans beautifully.  I think it was a wake up call for him.
Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: Mbrown001 on June 05, 2017, 07:38:01 PM
In the summer I always but always use sun block on my face. The sun on your face is so very aging.  Over tanning also causes lines and sagging. You see women who are obvious sun worshippers.....the ones that wear little vests and short shorts ....and their faces are not wearing well. Not a great look. The best tan....is seemingly no tan at all if we don't want to look more than our age. I've become very aware of that in recent years and try for the very lightly tanned look. Not difficult in my part of the world  ;D.

Yes we need some unprotected time in the sun for Vit D ....but not the face I would say.

As for using hydrocortisone creams. I've had contact dermatitis on my hands since childhood. They gave out the cortisone cream like sweets then. Consequently the skin on my hands is very fragile and cuts easily. Never use it on you face as it bleaches the skin.

After my daughters extreme allergic reaction to a skin cream it's making me read yet more labels and the amount of chemicals we put on our skin on a daily basis is quite frightening.

Mrs Brown

Title: Re: Facial skin changes
Post by: zelda on July 15, 2017, 09:09:41 AM
I started taking Omega 3 about 3 months ago and I have noticed an improvement in my skin in that it appears plumper and smoother. I take 2 x 1000mg tablets per day.