The moisturizer is still on the bathroom shelf as it has been for the last few years. It used to be the very last thing she needed before she got dressed, but recently her cheeks feel quite tight again before she’s even finished her coffee. She’s tried using a bit more, wondering if it’s the weather or if she needs a different product. It’s a small thing really, but one she’s started to notice more often.
For many women, these are the moments that form part of the perimenopause/menopause experience. The body doesn’t always reveal a symptom to mark the change. It can be as simple as a routine that doesn’t quite feel right anymore, or a new sensitivity that makes a previous favorite product a bit uncomfortable after application.
Paying attention to what the body is asking for is the first step in the right direction.
Understanding What Changes During Menopause
Menopause is a natural stage of life, and the transition can have very different effects on different women. The fluctuating and falling levels of estrogen will result in drier skin, loss of elasticity, and changes in skin texture. Some women will find their skin becomes more sensitive, and products that they used previously without any problem will now cause irritation.
The first thing to appreciate is that skin needs will change over time. A regime that was perfect in one decade may require a few tweaks in another. There is no one-size-fits-all menopause skincare regime, and what works for one woman may not work for another.
Rather than going out and chasing every new promise of youthful-looking skin, it may be more useful to concentrate on keeping the skin comfortable, supporting its moisture barrier and selecting products that are appropriate for the state of the skin at that particular time.
A More Personal Approach to Everyday Skincare
When the skin gets drier or more reactive, the instinct is to add more products onto the regime. A new cleanser, another serum, or a thicker cream each seems to be a potential solution. Very quickly, a simple regime can become a very crowded shelf of half-used bottles.
A more sensible approach starts at the very beginning. Basic cleansing, regular moisturizing and daily sun protection can go a long way to forming the basis of a sensible skincare regime.
This is where the appeal of handcrafted skincare comes in. Knowing what’s in a product and how it’s formulated can go a long way to helping a woman make an informed choice.
Based in Georgia, USA, Avir Essence takes this approach with its range of handcrafted natural skincare. They offer custom soaps and lotions with a range of bases including goat’s milk, shea butter, and tallow, and a variety of essential oil blends. The range also includes cold process soaps, lotions, magnesium sprays and gemstone perfumes.
The appeal of a tailored approach is not that natural ingredients will necessarily be suitable for everybody. They won’t be. It is in the opportunity to look at a range of formulations and then select the products that are right for the skin that needs the attention. If someone has been experiencing increased sensitivity, then it’s important for them to check the ingredient lists and to introduce new products slowly.
Giving Changing Skin the Attention It Needs
Facial skincare is a good place to start when taking stock of a regime. If someone is experiencing dryness, roughness and a lack of radiance, then it’s very likely they’ll look at their moisturizer and wonder if there’s a further step they could take. A serum can be a very useful addition to a skincare regime depending on what it’s formulated to do. Some are designed to provide hydration; others are aimed at improving the appearance of uneven tone or dullness.
Avir Essence’s Goreyo Gold Serum is another option to consider in this area of personal care. It can be considered as part of a broader facial skincare routine for someone interested in incorporating a serum alongside cleansing and moisturizing.
There is no need to turn skincare into another demanding task. A few well-chosen products, used consistently and comfortably, can be more practical than continually experimenting with new additions. If a product causes burning, persistent redness, or irritation, it is best to stop using it and seek professional advice if symptoms continue.
The aim is to care for the skin that’s there now, in a way that makes sense for the person who lives with it.
Making Intimate Care Part of the Conversation
Some of the menopausal changes are less obvious. One of the areas women may find it very difficult to talk about is intimate discomfort. That said, it should be given the same attention as the dryness of the face or hands.
As estrogen levels fall, the tissues of the vulva and vagina can become drier, thinner, and more sensitive. Some women will find that they get irritated or uncomfortable; others will find that their symptoms are more apparent during sex. This can have a significant impact on quality of life.
It’s vital to separate external vulvar care from vaginal care. A lotion designed for the external genital area is not automatically appropriate for internal use, nor is a cosmetic product necessarily a treatment for menopause-related vaginal dryness.
Avir Essence’s Lavender Lemon Yoni Lotion provides a starting point for discussing external intimate care within a wider personal-care routine. Women considering the product should check its current formulation, directions, and intended application carefully, particularly if they are experiencing sensitivity. Fragranced ingredients and essential oils can irritate delicate skin, so a botanical scent should not be taken as a guarantee of suitability.
For persistent dryness, pain with sex, urinary symptoms, or ongoing irritation, a GP or other healthcare professional can help to identify the cause and talk through the appropriate management options. Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants may be relevant depending on the individual’s symptoms and medical history.
Taking intimate health seriously isn’t about making every aspect of menopause a problem to solve. It’s about realizing that support is out there and that it’s perfectly reasonable to ask questions as part of the self-care process.
Small Changes That Can Make a Difference
A more comfortable skincare routine doesn’t necessarily have to start with shopping for new products. Sometimes the most useful adjustments are already within reach.
Use lukewarm water rather than a very hot shower to help minimize moisture loss. A mild cleanser may be preferable to a more aggressive or heavily fragranced one, particularly if the skin is a bit reactive. A suitable moisturizer should be applied after bathing, and broad-spectrum sun protection is essential as part of a daytime facial care routine.
Ingredient awareness is also important. Shea butter may be ideal for some people while others may prefer a different texture or formulation. Everyone’s response will be different, so it’s really down to personal preference and the intended use of the product.
These little habits are a very practical place to start. They also provide an opportunity to consider something that is often ignored in the discussion around health and well-being: the freedom to choose which products to keep and which to let go.
The Meaning Behind a Second Spring
Avir Essence’s Second Spring collection is all about menopause support. The name implies a new season rather than an end, which is a very appropriate way to view a phase of life that is so often talked about in terms of the symptoms and the difficulties.
There’s merit in recognizing that menopause can be a difficult time, without then allowing that difficulty to be the sole defining characteristic of the experience. Women may be juggling careers, looking after family, re-evaluating their lives and simply getting on with the business of being a woman in the world as their bodies go through the transition. Personal care doesn’t have to be another item on the to-do list.
Handmade goods and bespoke formulations are one way of taking a more personal approach to day-to-day care. For some women, that might be as simple as re-evaluating the moisturizer they use. For others, it could be about finding a mild cleanser, learning more about intimate health, or simply stripping back a regime that has become far too complicated.
The products themselves are only one element of the picture. Just as important is the reminder that women’s needs are individual and that a considered level of care should allow for that individuality.
A New Chapter, One Small Ritual at a Time
Back in the bathroom, the moisturizer is still on the shelf. This time she’s not quite so concerned about getting her old routine to work in exactly the same way as it did. She’s paying attention to what feels right, what feels comfortable, and is quite happy to make a change where a change is required.
Sometimes caring for skin that’s changing starts with the most mundane of things, a morning moisturizer. A new chapter doesn’t necessarily mean a completely new routine is necessary; it just means there’s a willingness to let the care evolve with the woman.
