Your Skin & The Menopause: My Story

No Other Choice

I had always dreaded the prospect of going through the menopause, especially hearing about other women’s experiences, and now I’m in it! I had no choice really. A hysterectomy was the only thing left. Is it as bad as I thought? Hmm….the jury is out on that one! I am managing it with a complex HRT routine, but the change in my skin was one thing I wasn’t expecting!

How It Began

My menopause journey began in 2019 when I had to have a total hysterectomy. I was so desperate to get rid of the ‘bad bits’ I didn’t even think beyond the surgery itself! Three weeks afterwards the symptoms were in full swing…..hot flushes, insomnia, mood swings….you name it, I had it! I was already using an Oestrogen gel to help manage the perimenopause but that obviously wasn’t enough. Luckily I had previously seen a women’s health and menopause specialist called Sarah Gray, regarding the heavy, painful and uncontrollable periods. I was booked in with her 4 weeks post op. It was a fairly long journey to get the HRT right, but just being able to see someone who was very thorough, kind and knowledgeable made it so much easier! What about my skin I hear you ask? Think hormonal teenager with bad acne! Yep, it’s true!

Plant-based cleansers and moisturisers

Menopause Acne…..grrr!

I don’t know about you, but when you find a good skincare routine, you stick to it, right? I had used the same skincare brand for years, which I was perfectly happy with, but the menopause stopped all that! My lovely, fairly blemish-free skin, had turned into something resembling a hormonal teenager. I was covered in acne, and not just the odd pimple, but huge papules too (those massive, painful, under the skin spots!). I was having to deal with the menopause symptoms, and the psychological effects of a hysterectomy, and bad acne too. It was crushing, and horribly embarrassing, and I didn’t understand what had suddenly changed? Yes, I had no ovaries anymore, but surely the HRT compensated for that? A bilateral oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries) can result in a huge drop in Oestrogen levels, but add the stress of the surgery, and then more stress from acne, and you have a very negative effect and a never ending vicious circle!

Green smoothie moisturiser

This Skincare Changed My World!

I’ve always been a skincare junkie. I love it! Pretty packaging? Yep, I’m in! Promises of youthful, glowing skin? Definitely! I fell upon LimeLife by Alcone purely by chance. Plant-based, chemical free, kind to the environment, kind to your skin, vegan, cruelty free? Tick! I took a chance on it, with the thought if it didn’t suit I could return it for an exchange or refund. Was it any good? Did it help? Absolutely 100% and I’ve never looked back!

Skincare doesn’t need to be complicated, and as far as I can see, the simpler the better! Your skin is an amazing piece of equipment. It knows what to do, and when to do it, but sometimes it needs a helping hand. As much as I wanted to use really astringent products to zap those pesky spots, I kept the faith, and my loyalty has been rewarded! My skin has never looked healthier, or more glowing! Yes, I still get the odd spot (who doesn’t?), but overall, being kind to my skin, using plant-based skincare, free from harmful chemicals has done wonders!

Me Now 4 Years On

Me and my horse

Life has changed somewhat! At the age of 51 I’m now a Makeup Artist, and love helping others look good, and feel confident in their own skin. I do a lot of makeup on older women in Plymouth and the surrounding area. Sometimes you just need someone to point you in the right direction!