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Rosie Green gets the lowdown on No7 menopausal skincare from one expert
– and finds that, even with hormones in flux, there are ways to give your skin new life
So why the knowledge gap?
The taboo around talking of the menopause had left it largely ignored by skincare companies. Instead, they focused on concerns deemed more palatable, such as ageing, breakouts and stress-related problems.
However, Dr Bradley and the research team at No7 HQ recognised that the menopause was an area where they could make a real difference.
“We wanted to understand and address the skin issues menopausal women face,” says Dr Bradley, “and create a range of products specifically to help them. We were also clear that the word ‘menopause’ had to be front and centre on the packaging.”
Dr Bradley was part of a five-year research partnership with the University of Manchester that studied menopausal skin; further insight came from over 7,000 menopausal women who helped to create a picture of the changes that happen in the skin during that time.
“We found that because in menopause hormones fluctuate from one day to the next, the skin does too. Many women found this uncertainty hard in terms of lack of confidence/control in their skin, so we aimed to create products that would bring their skin into balance as well as addressing concerns about radiance, skin tone and firmness.”
Read on as I learn more from Eleanor Bradley about menopausal skin and the No7 range.
Beauty writer Rosie Green
No7 research scientist Dr Eleanor Bradley
know it’s a time when the skin is in great flux and really needs support.”
What are the most common changes to be seen in menopausal skin?
Women’s concerns centre on lack of firmness, increasing fine lines and wrinkles, dryness, dullness, uneven tone and sensitivity.
Why do those changes occur?
Hormones are the major factor. Declining levels of oestrogen mean a significant drop in collagen production, leading to loss of firmness. Lipids are reduced, so hydration levels suffer. Meanwhile, the skin barrier thickens but becomes less effective, meaning skin becomes more dull and dry and also less supple.
At what age does the skin start to undergo these changes?
We say roughly between 45 and 60, however it is individual and can happen earlier. The menopause actually lasts for only one day – 12 months after your last period – but we are in perimenopause (the period prior to menopause) and postmenopause for many years.
What ingredients are best for supporting menopausal skin?
We used our research findings to pinpoint ingredients that target visual signs* of reduced oestrogen and collagen. Ceramides keep skin supple, and help to reduce dryness and sensitivity. We also chose to use niacinamide, a multitasker known to support the skin’s lipid production and even out skin tone. Then we have soy isoflavone, a phytoestrogen that supports skin’s natural collagen production.
Talk us through the products you’ve created
There’s the Instant Radiance Serum. Then the Nourishing Overnight Cream – it’s like a drink of water for your skin. Protect & Hydrate Day Cream SPF 30 hydrates as well as luxury creams costing ten times more**. There’s also the Instant Cooling Mist, for instantly cooled skin that looks more radiant***. Improvements were noted in overall skin tone, radiance, hydration, smoothness, softness and firmness***.
Ninety-four per cent of the women in our study said they would recommend the range***.
Can you explain what makes your range different?
The feedback from our study of over 7,000 menopausal women allowed us to create a product range that targets their skin concerns. No7 created a bespoke menopause training module endorsed by CIBTAC for all 1,600 beauty advisers (as part of its Skin School programme) to educate them so they can confidently give advice to women on the ingredients and products to suit their skin changes.
No7 Menopause Skincare –
Protect & Hydrate Day Cream SPF30
£32.95
£14.95
No7 Menopause Skincare –
Instant Cooling Mist
£32.95
No7 Menopause Skincare –
Nourishing Overnight Cream
£32.95
No7 Menopause Skincare –
Instant Radiance Serum
What’s new
These great products have been specifically
designed to help menopausal skin…
Free hypnotherapy mind-skin rituals
No7 has collaborated with Clementine, an award-winning app that supports your mindset using cognitive hypnotherapy. This holistic approach to daily skincare provides six mind-skin rituals for menopause that can help you find calm and clarity, as well as prepare for – and get back to – sleep. Designed to fit into your busy schedule, it should tick off “self-care” on your to-do list.
Download the Clementine app for free, available on iOS & Android.
Find out more HERE
Browse the No7 range here
*Key visual skin signs that the collective range targets: dull skin, dry skin, fine lines, lack of firmness, uneven skin tone and sensitive skin.
**Instrumental hydration study. Email: ukgb@boots.co.uk to verify.
***Source: Regime trial carried out by an external party (MMR) from January to February 2022.
put
your
best
face
forward
The No7 range can make a real difference to your skin
ntil now, there has been relatively little research into the effects the menopause has on skin,” says No7 skincare expert Dr Eleanor Bradley. “Yet we