Eye issues, like dry eyes or Blepharitis are a prevalent and often underestimated concern of peri/menopause.
The link between hormones and dry eyes
The hormonal fluctuations that define peri/menopause play a crucial role in causing dry eyes. Oestrogen, which influences the health of various bodily systems, including the eyes, undergoes substantial fluctuations during this time. It helps maintain the stability of tear film, a protective layer that covers the eye's surface, promotes tear production and prevents rapid evaporation, ensuring that eyes stay moist and comfortable. As oestrogen levels decline, the tear film becomes less stable, leading to insufficient moisture and the onset of dry eyes.
Why dry eyes are no joke
Common symptoms of dry eyes include a feeling of grittiness in the eyes, burning sensation or stinging, redness or bloodshot eyes, blurry vision and light sensitivity and excess tearing.
Blepharitis is the inflammation of your eyelids. The most obvious symptoms are red, swollen, itchy eyelids. Patient's often also report sore eyelids, a gritty feeling in their eyes, flakes or crusting around their eyelashes and eyelids sticking together - especially in the morning. If left untreated, Blepharitis can also cause dry eyes, cysts on your eyelid (such as styes), conjunctivitis or 'Pink Eye' - this is one of the reasons we encourage good eyelid hygiene daily!
The close proximity of your eyelids to your eye surface means that Blepharitis can actually cause dry eyes. Dry eyes can also cause Blepharitis! This is why the two are very closely linked.
Treating Blepharitis or other dry eye symptoms
The good news is that Blepharitis is easy to treat! An eyelid/ lash cleanser used once or twice a day - especially to clean off any eye make-up, pollution, dirt and bacteria is the recommended at-home blepharitis treatment.
Our top product picks from Peep Club
Soothing Coconut Eye Balm: If you have only got mild symptoms this is the one for you! Coconut is a natural anti-bacterial, Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory. Together they're the dream team for protecting your eyelids and eyelashes on a daily basis. Coconut doubles as a wonderful ingredient to protect and strengthen your lashes. This very calming, gentle formula also has Cureberry in it to restore and protect the delicate skin around your eyes.
Cleansing Lash Foam: If you have moderate to severe symptoms then this is a better option! Tea Tree is the main ingredient in this powerful foam - a hard hitting anti-bacterial to ensure squeaky clean lids and lashes. Liquorice Root is also added to this formula - a known anti-inflammatory that has been clinically proven to help tackle the symptoms of more severe Blepharitis.
Other treatments for dry eyes
Spray it, don’t drop it
There are many benefits of the spray application rather than drops including; 1) A preservative-free formula which is much more gentle to eyes – meaning that you can use the spray throughout the day to keep your eyes refreshed, 2) Our spray is equally good for your delicate eye skin – in fact, Sea Buckthorn and Sodium Hyaluronate (the two active ingredients of our Instant Relief Eye Spray) are found in many moisturising skin care and eye care products specifically because of their proven ability to plump and hydrate the skin, 3) They are super convenient and can be used throughout the day especially by those who find traditional eye drops intimidating or difficult to use.
Hydrate your body too
Staying well hydrated and drinking sufficient water throughout the day can have a positive impact on tear production. When your body is well hydrated it has the resources to produce an adequate volume of tears, to keep your eyes moist and comfortable. Dehydration on the other hand, can lead to decreased tear production, resulting in dry, irritated and uncomfortable eyes.
Humidifiers are helpful
There is a growing body of evidence that humidifiers can help to relieve dry eyes in certain types of dry eye sufferers – specifically, those whose dry eyes are affected by their environment.
The way that the humidifier can help those with dry eyes is by creating a more hydrated environment around the eyes so that while they are open the air, they are exposed to is fuller of moisture. Most houses and work environments do not achieve the optimum level of humidity (40-60%) for eyes to be at their most comfortable. The humidifier can help reach this level to prevent dry eyes becoming worse during the day or night.
One important thing to note is that it is unlikely that a humidifier alone will resolve dry eyes, but it can prevent them from becoming worse over the course of the day (for screen users) or over the course of the night (for those who don’t fully close their eyes at night). Think of the humidifier as an extra tool in your dry eye tool kit to keep your eyes as stable and well managed as possible and help prevent any particularly bad flare ups.
Your eyes are what you eat
When it comes to nourishing your body, you might not immediately think if your eye health however what you eat can actually play a role in supporting your vision too. Including foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and flaxseeds, in your diet can contribute to better eye health. This is because omega-3 fatty acids can support the integrity of the eye’s tear film, helping to prevent dry eyes; they have anti-inflammatory benefits (to the eyes), can support clearer vision and help maintain the health of blood vessel that supply the eyes.
Wearing the right glasses
Wearing sunglasses with UV protection and avoiding environments with excessive wind or dry air can shield your eyes from external irritants. When it comes to choosing the right specs, Nicola recommends Look for a sticker (usually on one of the lenses) that says UV400 – this is the lens equivalent to SPF 50 and will mean the glasses are offering your eyes the best possible protection from UVA, UVB and UVC wavelengths of sunlight. And, if you’re going to be wearing the sunglasses around water, roads, snow (swimming/ fishing, cycling or skiing) or any reflective surfaces – opt for Polarised lenses: this is an extra coating on the lens that is specifically designed to block reflected rays – protecting your eyes and making it more comfortable to see.
Don’t suffer in silence
If dry eyes become persistent and severe, consulting an eye care specialist is crucial. They can recommend prescription products, medications, or other suitable treatments.
In some cases, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be considered to manage various symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, including dry eyes. However, this approach should always be discussed with a healthcare provider due to potential risks and benefits.
Concerned about dry skin too?
And it’s not just dry eyes that are a common menopausal concern. The drop in oestrogen levels also means that the skin starts to lose its ability to hold onto moisture. When this happens, skin can become dry sensitive and itchy and prone to inflammation and redness. Skin can also appear parched and dehydrated, losing its glow and dewiness. Extra hydration is needed to prevent excess water loss from the skin and restore skin’s natural radiance.
We’ve partnered with the menopausal skin experts at Living M to offer some advice on caring for dry skin issues.
The hydration heroes
Because menopausal skin loses its ability to hold onto water, you need to add extra hydration. The best way to replenish lost moisture from the skin’s surface is to use super-hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. They act as powerful humectants that draw water into the skin.
You’ve probably already heard of hyaluronic acid - it’s well-known as being the ultimate skin hydrator. A real skincare superstar – it’s true that nothing beats it when it comes to restoring that plump, fresh, dewy look that can seem like a distant memory as we go through menopause.
Hyaluronic acid is produced naturally by the body which is what makes it such a powerful yet gentle skincare ingredient. Despite the acid in the name, it’s not an exfoliant. It’s a sugar molecule found in the body that can hold up to 1000 x it’s weight in water to keep skin cells hydrated and plump. It functions like a sponge in the body and binds water to the skin which is why it is known as “the moisture magnet”.
Just like collagen and elastin, as we go through menopause, hyaluronic acid levels in the body decline. As a result, skin becomes parched and dehydrated with a weakened skin barrier. Skin needs extra hydration, and a well-formulated product will the right types of hyaluronic acid is can deliver not only an instant hydration hit but lasting, deeper hydration over time.
Living M QUENCH & SOOTHE SERUM is formulated with 3 different types of hyaluronic acid and glycerin for an intense hydration boost.
Build up that barrier protection
As we go through menopause, our skin barrier starts to weaken, and skin becomes much more prone to irritation and loss of natural moisture. You need to incorporate ingredients that work to strengthen skin’s natural barrier and lock moisture in
By boosting the production of natural ceramides in the skin, niacinamide acts to strengthen the skin barrier protecting against moisture loss and dehydration. Niacinamide is also proven to brighten skin tone and boost radiance without causing irritation. Dryness and loss of hydration can leave our skin dull and lacklustre so incorporating niacimanide into your skincare regime is an effective way to get your glow back without risking irritation. It’s such a great all round ingredient for menopausal skin, we have included niacinamide in Quench & Sooth Serum and our Collagen Boost Moisturiser.
Avoid irritants
As increased dryness and dehydration can mean increased skin sensitivity, it’s important to avoid any ingredients that might irritate skin and make the situation worse. Many products contain ingredients that can aggravate skin so look for formulations that are free of fragrance, drying alcohols and essential oils (lovely on your body but really not designed to be put on your face!)
Living M skincare is formulated without any known irritants so you can rest assured you are only using good for you, skin-nourishing ingredients. All our products are free of fragrance, drying alcohols, essential oils, sulphates and silicones.
Gently cleanse
Gentle, cream-based cleansers are best for menopausal skin. Avoid soap, foaming cleansers and wipes which dry out the skin and can leave it parched. It’s also best to avoid using balm cleansers if your skin is already inflamed as they can disrupt the skin barrier leading to increased sensitivity and tightness.
Cool it down
Finally, avoid the long, hot showers in menopause - hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils and can make skin even drier in menopause. Always moisturise as soon as you get out of the shower. A great tip is to apply products when your skin is still damp as this helps boost hydration and will help ingredients to absorb better into the skin.
Try the Perfect Pair for the ultimate two-step daily skincare duo specifically formulated for menopausal skin.
Designed to work together with an expert blend of proven active ingredients to boost collagen, intensely hydrate and nourish menopausal skin. Apply AM and PM for maximum results. Shop here
For more information about Living M, visithttps://wearelivingm.com/
DISCLAIMER:
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
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