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How To Take Your Skincare To The Next Level In Menopause
Those changes in your skin are evidence that you have lived. Those lines from laughing your ass off at all the crazy things you have done with your family, friends, and yourself. The furrow between your brow from worrying about your loved ones and what is next. How about boobs hanging lower from the gift of gravity? And if you have had kids suckling on them and deflating them like flapjacks, you understand better than anyone else.
Managing skincare along with everything else is crazy stressful. And I feel you because I am right there with you.
Your Skin. Your Story.
But here is the thing.
Your skin tells your story. It tells the story of your past and your present and is a canvas for your future. As your largest, visible organ, your skin is a reflection of your overall state of well-being. What shows up on your skin gives clues to what is happening underneath it all.
Consider this, rather than seeing those dark circles, spots, and thinning brows as your body sabotaging your mojo. What if you saw these as messages? Messages that your body needs your loving attention. The same kind of attention you dote to your kids, spouse, friends and loved ones.
That is what your body is asking of you. These hot flashes, headaches, mood swings, skin dryness, and blemishes are memos. And during this taxing transition, your skin, body, and mind need all of your loving.
For example, those dark circles under your eyes that you are desperate to cover-up? These are a message from your body, informing you to tune in to what is happening in your life. Some of us have a genetic propensity towards dark circles and probably have had them since childhood.
But for most of us, their presence is an opportunity for self-reflection and up-levelling our self-awareness.
Question Your Skincare
Instead of trying to cover up the blemishes and dark spots with make-up (check out my clean beauty tips HERE), consider asking yourself:
- How much sleep am I getting? Is it sound?
- Am I experiencing hot flashes and kicking off those covers?
- What am I doing up until I go to bed at night, bingeing on Netflix, scrolling through Instagram, or Facebook?
- Am I careful about my skincare routine? Do I frequently use sunscreen?
- If I pour that extra glass of wine, will it mess with my hormones? (the answer is yes). What toxins am I consuming?
- Am I eating the right foods? Am I drinking enough water? Is my skin efficiently hydrated?
- Am I stressed about work or home?
So it is not just what is in your food, personal care and household products. Your thoughts and pattern of thinking matters as well. Your mind, body, and skin have an intimate connection.
Rather than trying to cover up the evidence your body is providing you, use it to your advantage. Get curious. Be inspired. You have the power to take charge of your health and your life. Create a version of yourself in mid-life that blows your mind!
It Is Time To Be The Author Of Your Skin.
But the first step in the process of upleveling your skincare is taking notice. It is necessary to have a willingness to read your skin’s story. Currently, what is it telling you? Observe what your skin is going through. Then make an intentional decision about whether you are happy with the story. Is there a desire to edit or completely rewrite it for the next chapter of your life?
Remember, you are the author of your story. You are only in midlife, which means you have a heck of a lot more to live. And only YOU get to decide how you want to live it.
If you love your story, celebrate it! Shout it from the rooftops as you strut into rooms feeling sexy, bold, courageous and confident in your skin!
But not convinced that your story is your best-seller? Or perhaps, you are ready to create a new one? Then celebrate that as well! Because you have everything you need to jumpstart the process.
Drink plenty of water, moisturize regularly, eat healthily, and do not forget your vitamin supplements! These are just small steps that make a significant impact on your skincare. It may be challenging to take on the big guys (hormones), and for that, I am here to guide you. I will be here by your side to get yourself back into balance naturally.
Shedding Old Layers: The First Step Towards Glowing Skin
Think of it this way healthy skin turns over cells every 28 days. This turnover naturally sheds layers and removes dead cells. These dysfunctional cells no longer serve the health, vitality and integrity of your skin barrier. But, when your natural exfoliation cycle is off track, your skin retains cell layers. Your complexion will appear dull, sallow and prematurely aged. As a result, this manifests as acne or milia, those small cysts that look like whiteheads but do not pop. (FYI: do not try, or you will damage your skin).
The collateral damage? Disruption in the normal functioning of your skin, resulting in inflammation, congestion and hormone imbalance. It is essential to be on top of your skincare game, to halt this damaging vicious cycle. So it is best to let go of that dead skin. Otherwise, it will weigh you down and stop you from achieving confidence in your skin.
The same principle applies to your life in menopause. Holding onto things that no longer serve your greater purpose and passion will dim your glow and radiance. Whether these are thoughts, beliefs, habits, emotions, people, and obligations, it is time to let go. Otherwise, it will compromise your health and vitality physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Reach Your Skincare Goals
If this resonates with you, then it is time to exfoliate the old ways of doing things. Shed the layers that are not serving you personally or professionally and reveal the layers that will.
It is time to go skinny dipping! (This is the process I take all of my clients through so that you have more time, energy and motivation to do what you love!)
So, are you in?
When we work together, I will provide you with a step-by-step roadmap. One that you can implement right away to help you edit, rewrite or celebrate your story. Let us jumpstart your skincare routine so that you are glowing from the inside out and outside in.
Believe me, if you are willing to go all-in, then getting naked will never have felt so good!
Written by Body Board member, Dr. Keira Barr. Dr. Barr is an author, global speaker, coach and physician who helps high-achieving women let go of perfectionism and self-doubt and embrace confidence and courage instead. She has helped thousands of women quiet their inner critic to amplify their own voices and live their most authentic life.
