The effects of menopause on collagen and elastin

Menopause impacts the body and mind in so many ways. The skin, in particular, bears the brunt of menopause, with our complexions getting notably drier, itchier, more wrinkled and increasingly sweaty as ‘the change’ takes hold.

With hormone levels going haywire, menopausal acne is a common complaint, but this isn’t where the skin changes stop. Menopause has a profound effect on the skin’s collagen and elastin leaving your skin’s structure not what it was.

Here, we dig deeper into the effects of menopause on collagen and elastin levels, revealing why you don’t have to keep calm and carry on in the face of menopausal skin problems.

What do collagen and elastin do for the skin?

Collagen and elastin play vital roles in the skin’s structure. Both structural proteins make up the very building blocks of the skin. They work in unison to keep your skin healthy and happy, with collagen delivering the strength the skin needs to maintain its firmness and elastin providing flexibility.

Made from peptides, fibroblasts, and amino acids, elastin fibres are found primarily as bundles in the dermis, but also make up the blood vessels, lungs and ligaments of the body. This amazing protein can be stretched 200% more than its original length, before bouncing right back again just like a rubber band.

Collagen works a little differently and consists of chains of 19 different types of amino acids, including hydroxyproline, glycine and proline. It’s found in the skin but also in the tendons, bones and ligaments, and helps keep the skin firm and flexible.

Thanks to this winning combination, your skin can remain bouncy, resistant and resilient, and it’s one of the main reasons why skin looks so healthy and youthful.

What happens to collagen and elastin as we age…

Many of the components of the skin and wider body are subject to a little wear and tear over time, and elastin and collagen are no exceptions.

As we age collagen and elastin fibres weaken, losing their ability to bounce back in the same way they used to. With this, fine lines and wrinkles form, especially in places where we smile, frown or express facially, like the eyes, mouth and forehead.

…and, more specifically, when we hit menopause?

Menopause in particular is a time when we see collagen and elastin levels drop dramatically. Ingenious explains the facts and stats behind collagen depletion during menopause:

“Once women hit menopause the rate of collagen depletion increases significantly, falling at a much faster rate than for men. In fact, it has been shown that female collagen levels fall by around 30% in the first five years after menopause before levelling off to fall at approximately 2% a year. With skin thinning and collagen levels falling, it is clear that (without any intervention) menopause is a difficult time for women when it comes to ageing.”

Menopause has a similar effect on elastin, with fibres becoming less flexible. The rock-bottom estrogen levels menopausal women experience also mean production and repair of elastin are far lower.

Is it possible to restore the skin’s elasticity and firmness?

With collagen and elastin production and repair slowing down significantly during menopause, organic skin care for menopause can lend a helping hand to keep skin looking and feeling firm and youthful.

Our organic hydrating face mask provides the perfect pick me up for tired, pale and lacklustre skin. Using pentapeptides, shea nut butter and honey, skin can be evened, nourished and fortified to protect and rejuvenate those precious reserves of collagen and elastin.

For an intensive antioxidant and amino acid-rich treatment you can use every day, our organic face serum is the organic formula you’ve been looking for. This wonder product offers six serums in one bottle to help firm, hydrate, restore, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles all in one go.

Discover the ultimate routine for complete skin rejuvenation by taking advantage of our Age Defying Facial Offer. It’s a simple three-step routine that’s certain to become your skincare saviour during menopause and beyond.

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