How to remain youthful after menopause?

Menopause causes many changes to your skin. Your body stops making as much collagen. You lose some fat under your skin and your skin's elasticity drops. That combined with dryness caused by hormonal changes, can cause sagging -especially around the neck, jawline and cheeks. The lines and wrinkles you get with menopause are often crow's feet and lines above the upper lip.

 There are some tips to maintain a healthy skin. They are:

1.Clean up

Cleansing is an important skin care step especially as you age. As you get older and your skin can benefit from extra moisture. The key is using a cleanser that's right for drier skin. So opt for a creamy formula that hydrates instead of foam or gel cleansers which can strip moisture away.

2. Hydrate

After menopause your skin gets drier because oil glands aren't as active. Try to give skin more moisture with a heavier cream. Skip long hot showers and put on moisturiser while your skin is still damp. That helps boost hydration.

3. You still need SPF

Even though skin cancer and wrinkling are caused by the amount of sun you got in your 20s, 30s and 40s you still need to protect your skin. Skin may have less natural protection than when you were younger. So look for a broad spectrum SPF of 30 or higher and wear it everyday.

4. Minimize wrinkled skin

You get wrinkles from too much sun damage over the years as well as hormonal changes of menopause. As your hormone levels decrease with age that can change your skin quality and make wrinkles worse. Wrinkles may be more obvious when your skin is dry especially as you age. Use moisturiser on your face, jawline and neck every day and look for skin care products designed to help fight fine lines and sagging that lead to a brighter appearance overall.

5. Help your hands

The backs of your hands can lose moisture , collagen and fat during menopause. That can make veins more obvious and skin more wrinkled. To reduce the look of wrinkles use moisturiser often on your hands. Protect them from sun.

6. Eat your antioxidants

Collagen gives your skin it's youthful plumpness and keeps your skin tight. As your estrogen levels drop so does the collagen in your skin. Eating foods with antioxidants may help make your skin stronger from the inside out. Look for brightly colored fruits and vegetables and try to eat every color of the spectrum.

7. Stock up on soy

Soy is rich in isoflavones , plant based compounds that seem to act like oestrogen in the body. Isoflavones may help improve age related changes like thinning skin. Experts believe about 50 mg of isoflavones a day can help menopausal women.

8. Look for balance

Stress can make your skin drier and more sensitive. It can also trigger conditions like psoriasis. Try yoga , meditation and other stress reduction techniques to help you relax.

9. Work out

Exercise does more than just tone your muscles. It helps skin in two ways. First , it relieves stress. Exercise also boosts circulation which begins to slow with age. The extra oxygen and blood flow can help your skin look brighter and healthier.