As women approach the menopause many feel they are losing their femininity and womanliness. Taking care to look your best is one way to overcome this. Don't think that spending time on yourself is vain or selfish (as many of us were brought up to believe), look at it as valuing yourself. This in turn helps beat stress and anxiety, boosting your self-confidence.
Of course women who have lovely features and figures do have an advantage, you can still make a huge difference by taking good care of yourself and giving yourself that well-groomed look and glow.
What's happening to your hair, skin and nails?
Many women experience drying and thinning of hair at this time although this may improve as you come through the menopause. You can help yourself by using shampoo and conditioners that are moisturising and/or volumising as needed.
Nails can become brittle, flaky or hardened during the menopause and hands become dry and stiff. Try using a barrier cream every time your hands are wet; apply nail and cuticle oil and/or hand cream at least once a week at night.
Skin often becomes dryer, more sensitive and may become spotty too. This is normal and is a reflection of your changing hormones. The best way to help your skin through this change is to re-evaluate what you use and to have a regular routine of cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising all over your body.
Beauty products
It is particularly important to be careful what products you use on your skin, hair and nails during the menopause. We know that what we put on our skin is absorbed into the bloodstream and so can have an effect on how our bodies work. When buying products always look at the ingredients on the back of the bottle - the front labelling can be misleading. The Soil Association trademark is a good indicator of safe, good quality product.
We supply Spiezia Organics skin and body care products, which are the first organic collection of skincare to be 100% Soil Association accredited across the whole range. All the products are rich in natural, beneficial ingredients and free from harmful synthetic chemicals. They are handmade in Cornwall, using only food grade ingredients and locally sourced herbs and flowers wherever possible.
With all these products, a little goes a long way, as most are 'oil based'. To keep the products in best condition we advise keeping them away from heat and sunlight and free from contamination by using a spatula to take from the pots rather than using your finger. See the range of Spiezia products.
Make your own beauty products with aromatherapy oils
By making your own beauty products from aromatherapy oils, you ensure that you know exactly what you are putting on your skin. You can buy the base cream or oil and add the essential oil you think will best suit your skin type from the table below.
We supply only the following top quality organic oils, which are favoured by professional aromatherapists for their purity and potency. All have been awarded the Soil Association certification.
We supply sweet almond oil, evening primrose oil and jojoba oil to use as a base for bath oils or facial oils. Alternatively if you prefer to use a cream we have Dry skin and Mature skin based products. Again all these oils and creams are highly regarded by aromatherapists and all have the Soil Association certification.
When preparing your cleanser or moisturiser, just add 10 drops of the essential oil to 50ml of base cream or base oil and mix well to create your own personal beauty product. You can use the oil mix as a cleanser by massaging a little into your face and wiping off with damp cotton wool, or alternatively use it as a moisturiser after cleansing your skin. The creams can be used as both day and/or night moisturisers.
Underarm protection
Underarm perspiration may become a problem during the menopause. If this is the case try to limit your consumption of caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods which all increase sweat and body odour.
Many women find a deodorant crystal works well and help to avoid the chemicals in conventional deodorant or antiperspirant sprays. You dampen the crystal and move it over the underarm area - the natural mineral salts work effectively to prevent body odour by forming an invisible topical surface film, which inhibits and kills odour-producing bacteria. Alternatively it is also available in a spray crystal product.