Are you Suffering with Rough, Dry, Dull, Menopausal Skin? This May Be A Cost Effective Routine to Help!

Menopause makes it tough!  Skin starts to sag a little, muscles weaken, and our body loses collagen.  
I mentioned to an aesthetician friend, recently, that I am suffering with what I believe to be “menopausal skin”.  My legs and arms have changed over the last few years.  They are rough, dull and extremely dry.  I have sun spots and damage from years of growing up near the beach.  But the flakiness, peeling and dryness is new.  There’s no shortage of beauty products targeted at middle-aged women just like me.  Products range in price and in ingredients.  They all promise to reduce crepéy skin, improve dullness, plump-up and moisturize the body.    I wanted to know what works best without breaking the bank.  My aesthetician friend reminded me that staying fit and a well balanced, whole food, diet all certainly help.  She also, introduced me to an in-shower or bath and post-shower or bath routine that is approved by a dermatologist, I know, as well.  With 2 recommendations I decided to give this 3 part routine a try; and I must say I am thrilled with the results!  What’s even better is these products are reasonable in price and can be found on Amazon or at any health & beauty counter or drugstore.  
I will share links below for all of the specific products that I use.  I am an Amazon Influencer and do earn commissions on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.  I only share what I actually use and love!  Please check with your own health care professional about your skincare needs.  This is simply what is working - beautifully - for me. 

Before the skin care routine, however, first and foremost, the precursor is diet.  I eat lots of lean protein and healthy fruit and vegetables.  I eat the rainbow.  Just one example of what’s in my skin care toolbox every week.  A healthy diet is a must for a healthy glow.

I also incorporate collagen, in my diet, once or twice a day.  Bone broth is an excellent source of collagen.  It’s a great way to get extra protein and is healthy for the joints, bones, skin, hair and nails.  It boosts immune function and aids in cognitive health too.  This is my absolute favorite collagen in powder form.  It has a creamy cocoa flavor and makes a terrific hot chocolate, mixes in well for hot or cold coffee.  This collagen makes a fabulous chocolate milk.  I also post quite a few desserts and snacks with this versatile powder.  Sports Research has other flavors but the mocha is my favorite.

Buy the Collagen Here

​One more important precursor to the skin care routine is having fit underlying muscle to make the skin look more taught and firm.  For me, having a firm figure with little cellulite and tight skin helps.  Prepping ourselves for summer is all about taking time out during the winter for self-care.  The winter  is more important, and quite possibly, more impactful than any other time of year for gearing up our bodies for summer.  I don’t mind aging, I say it all of the time, but I do want to age on my own terms.  And…I still love to look great in all my clothes.  Winter months and post holidays prove to bring low moods, depression, over eating, and lack of energy for many of us.  Rather than allowing these things to take hold,  I use the winter months to recalibrate.  But, Spring means It’s time to get really serious in order to glow for all the summer outings!  I find this time of year to be perfect for reprioritizing: health, fitness, and self-care.  For me, there’s no better time than now to get all of the healthy habits on track.  We’ve all heard of dry January…But there are other things we can do to be healthier, in a new year, as well.  
Starting in late October and running through New Year’s - it becomes easy to skip workouts, start eating less healthy and not practicing as much self care.  I know, at least for me, I attend football parties and holiday festivities instead of getting plenty of rest.  I eat all of the party foods & baked goods that cross my path.  After all of the food, fun, and indulgence we tend set goals, make lists, and prioritize for the new year.  I personally, make sure my goals and lists include lots of self-work too.   January through spring brings with a regular schedule, earlier sunsets and a steady routine.   Earlier sunsets mean slightly earlier bedtimes for me, at least.  Healthy habit checked off the list - better sleep = healthier me.  Winter brings more time stuck inside which often leads to more couch time, less sunshine, vitamin D, and less activity.  However, a slight shift in mindset (using this time stuck inside) to add in some extra exercise and workouts is a much healthier option.  Instead of sitting I try to jump on my exercise bike.  It’s amazing how much healthier riding at even a slow pace is than just sitting on the couch.  It’s still possible to watch a favorite show or check emails while pedaling.  This is an economical fitness cycle that I love.  It folds for easy storage, if needed.  I leave mine out in plain site to be unavoidable.  It doesn’t take up too much room.  I love to keep it easily accessible and unavoidable.  This keeps me on track with my fitness.  You can find the economical cycle I use linked here.  I am an Amazon Associate and do earn commissions on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Shop the Cycle here

I have high hopes  of looking great in all my summer clothes.  so let’s get on with the new skincare routine.  Winter months can cause dehydration and dryness, while aging and menopause bring its own set of skin concerns.  
This skincare routine is actually quite easy to incorporate and doesn’t take too much time.  It’s simple and extremely cost effective. STEP 1 Immediately before showering dry brushing is extremely beneficial. There are tons of YouTube videos on technique but it’s pretty simple.  Brush in circular motions inward from the rest of the body toward the abdomen.  Arms from the wrists to armpits.  Legs from the ankles up.  Stomach in circles to belly button and back towards middle.  It’s rough and a bit uncomfortable at first but you adjust quickly.
you can find the dry brush I love to use here 

Buy the Brush on Amazon

Next, STEP 2, All the cleansing - for the face, in shower, using Konjic soap on the face to remove dark spots and target aging. You can find variations at health stores and vitamin shops.  
I have found that this one works fantastically!

Buy the Dark Spot Soap Here

Now, here is the most magical part of STEP 2 cleansing in the routine.  Double wash.  Just like you may have heard about double washing the face at night, double washing the body can be extremely beneficial.  Double washing is touted as safe for any skin type but especially helpful for dry dull skin.  It removes residue like lotions and sunscreens from the previous day.  It sloughs off dead skin to reveal fresh, smooth skin.  Double washing aids in absorption of skincare products and it encourages collagen production.  First, I use about a quarter size dollop of the CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash, placed on my exfoliating wash cloth, to scrub all over the body.  I go ahead and shave with the foam at this point.  This comforting creamy soap leaves the skin feeling so clean, soft and smooth.  

Shop the Soap on Amazon

Next in  STEP 2, rinse well and then cleanse again, the second time, with the Bioderma Atoderm Cleansing Oil.  Again I use about a quarter size dollop, on the exfoliating cloth, and wash all over, scrubbing well.  Rinsing this off leaves a slight oil on the skin for excellent moisture when exiting the shower.  

Buy the Cleansing Oil Here

I use this Exfoliating Bath WashCloth shown below.  I believe this is an important component to the routine.  This one comes in a 2 pack and is a little larger than a hand towel. It is anti-microbial and It can be scrunched and used like a loofah or it can be spread out to evenly pull across the back for easy scrubbing.  

Shop the Exfoliating Towel Here

I do all of this after I have shampooed and while I have conditioner in my hair, for a little extra nourishment there as well. Then with the final rinse - I rinse my hair and am set to exit the bath or shower.
FINALLY,  STEP 3, lightly pat dry all over and immediately apply the Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair Lotion all over damp skin to lock in moisture.

Find the Lotion Here

Another tip, If you find you still need additional moisture, you can incorporate an oil on soaking wet skin (in-shower) prior to toweling dry.  Then after patting dry, apply the lotion.  
Let me know with a comment here or message at [email protected] if you try this.  I would love to hear how it goes.
I’m Sheryl of SheDo50Too, a lifestyle blog about being over 50 and staying fit, healthy and fashionable.  Please SUBSCRIBE, LIKE & FOLLOW me if you’re interested in all of my inspiration & tips, trials & tribulations, for life over 50.  I am an Amazon Associate.  The fitness equipment, apparel, supplements and more, that I use - are available in my Amazon Storefront.   As an Amazon Associate I do earn commissions off of purchases through my links.  This has no affect on the cost to you.   Purchases through my links support my efforts to share on this blog.  
I only share information and items that I use regularly and truly believe in and love.  My results may not be the same for everyone.  I always recommend that you speak with your own healthcare provider prior to incorporating my routines into your own.  I am not a fitness or healthcare expert I simply share what works for me. 
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