If you have ever been at a Japanese restaurant, chances are that you will have seen chefs preparing the food in front of you. In the 80s it became a bit of a thing and a lot of restaurants allowed guests to observe the chefs via a huge window covering the front of the kitchen.
When we started the conversation about our blog we kind of thought of it as our open kitchen. We would like for you as the reader to get an insight to Mind the Beauty. The founders and the team. The projects we are working on. The clients we work with. The topics we research.
One of themes that we have been involved with lately is hormonal beauty. A recent project we are overseeing is specifically targeting menopause beauty and we are thrilled to be working on some aspirational products.
But first things first…
Menopause - the basics
Perimenopause and menopause transition are natural processes that occur in women's lives, typically between the ages of 45 and 55. However some women observe symptoms from as early as 35.
During this period, the body undergoes significant changes, including hormonal fluctuations that can affect women’s bodies in many way’s.There are thought to be at least 37 symptoms of menopause, and people can suffer from them in varying degrees or not at all.
In recent years we have seen growing interest toward hormonal beauty that seeks to support women throughout all stages of their lives. No longer presenting menstruation or menopause as “problems” to be managed. Despite the more often emerging discussions, especially on menopause, the market remains under-explored in the West and still is a taboo in some parts of Asia.
76 % of menopausal women in the UK do not feel represented by brands
Some indie beauty and wellness brands (and so far only few of the bigger players) have launched targeted products and tools to help manage menopause transition. Menopause-specific beauty collections are mostly seen in the US and the UK. But considering that older Millenials are starting to enter perimenopause,
now is the time to step it up.
Rebranding menopause
Menopause still feels like a topic many view as a private matter that should not be discussed openly, leading to feelings of shame or embarrassment among women going through this phase.
I remember a short video clip that went viral of Tracy Moore`s Cityline talk show where she introduces her audience to the topic saying that the show almost didn’t happen as it was nearly impossible to find women who wanted to talk about their menopause transition. She even stated that she herself found it a little risky to talk openly about her own symptoms because society frowns upon aging women.
The association of menopause with aging, the loss of fertility and outer beauty can lead to negative stereotypes and even discrimination against women.
„We aim to educate—we want to bust myths and get the facts about menopause on the table“ - Naomi Watts
A shining star on the still dark menopause sky is Naomi Watts (54) who started transitioning into perimenopause when she was only 40 years old. „There was a feeling of, Oh my God, does this make me less desirable? In my industry, it’s scary“ Naomi said in an Interview with Oprah Winfrey. But soon she realized that sharing her early menopause journey might have a real impact on fellow women alike.
In 2022 Watts started The Hot Spot, a community for people in all stages of menopause. With Stripes she also launched a product line of holistic beauty and wellness products made with women’s unique menopause journey in mind.
Stripes is a great example on how a brand can become much more than just a simple product supplier.
Numerous studies have shown that women feel insecure as they approach menopause and have difficulty understanding and managing the symptoms associated with it. If done right, brands can engage women and get them ready for this upcoming transition by providing educational content. They can help people to understand their symptoms and to navigate between the different solutions offered to them.
Let’s talk about menopausal skin
One of the more impactful symptoms during peri- and menopause transition are changes in women’s skin. As estrogen levels decrease, the skin becomes drier feeling rough and itchy with a dull appearance.
Many women also experience more sensitive skin during that time, making it more prone to irritation and damage. Hormonal changes during menopause can cause the skin to produce more melanin, leading to hyperpigmentation. Menopausal skin may also be more prone to acne due to increased sebum production.
Specialized skincare can help women feel better
Using specialized beauty products during menopause to address these changes and maintain optimal skin health can have a very positive impact on women. When the skin looks healthy and glowing, it can boost confidence and make people feel better about their appearance.
The act of taking care of your skin through skincare routines can also promote relaxation and reduce stress levels. Taking a few minutes to pamper themselves can be a form of self-care, which can have a positive impact on women’s overall well-being.
Some skincare products have mood-boosting properties, such as essential oils or natural fragrances, which can help improve ones mood and make women feel more relaxed. Skincare can help address skin issues such as acne, dryness, or sensitivity, which can cause discomfort or pain. By addressing these issues, skincare can improve physical comfort and reduce any negative emotions associated with skin problems.
5 reasons why menopausal skin needs a different approach
So we know that during peri- and menopause the skin changes - for some dramatically. Needless to say that it requires a different approach from before. Let’s get a little more into detail why that is:
1. Hormonal changes affect the skin: During menopause, women experience a decrease in estrogen levels, which can cause the skin to become drier, thinner, and less elastic. This can lead to the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. Specialized beauty products formulated for menopausal skin can help address these issues by providing hydration and promoting collagen production.
2. Menopausal skin is more sensitive: As estrogen levels decrease, the skin's protective barrier weakens, making it more vulnerable to irritation and damage. Specialized beauty products formulated for menopausal skin are designed to be gentle and soothing, helping to minimize the risk of irritation.
3. Menopausal skin requires different nutrients: As women age, their skin's nutritional needs change. Specialized beauty products for menopausal skin contain ingredients like antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, vitamins, polyglutamic acid and minerals that support healthy skin aging.
4. Menopausal skin is more prone to hyperpigmentation: Hormonal changes during menopause can cause the skin to produce more melanin, leading to hyperpigmentation. Specialized beauty products formulated for menopausal skin often contain ingredients like niacinamide or vitamin C that can help brighten and even out the skin tone.
5. Menopausal skin may be more prone to acne: Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can also cause an increase in sebum production, leading to clogged pores and acne breakouts. Specialized beauty products formulated for menopausal skin may contain ingredients like skin pH corrector, antioxidant and keratolytic agent to help address these issues.
6. Using specialized beauty products during menopause is crucial for maintaining optimal skin health. These products are formulated to address the unique needs of menopausal skin, including hydration, sensitivity, nutrient requirements, hyperpigmentation, and acne. By using these products, women can support healthy aging and maintain a radiant, youthful complexion as well as taking care of their emotional wellbeing.
All eyes on menopause cosmetics - A cooling foundation and anti-aging lipstick
And while we are talking about beautiful skin. There are some exciting cosmetic innovations happening right now. Makeup brands will be part of the fast growing menopause movement too. The skin changes women experience during that time create new product needs. Here too the brands have a unique chance to connect with their audience by delivering educational and fun content.
How does hair change during peri- and menopause?
Another area we have been concentrating on is menopausal hair. Because yes, that may change during perimenopause and menopause, too. Attributed to hormonal fluctuations these are some of the changes that can occur:
1. Thinning hair: As estrogen levels decline, hair follicles may become thinner and produce less hair, leading to overall thinning of the hair.
2. Dryness and brittleness: Decreased estrogen levels can also cause hair to become dry and brittle, making it more prone to breakage.
3. Changes in texture: Hair texture can change during perimenopause and menopause, becoming coarse, wiry, or frizzy.
4. Hair loss: Some women may experience hair loss or balding during this time, particularly if they have a genetic predisposition to hair loss.
5. Gray hair: Menopause can also lead to the growth of gray hair due to a decrease in the production of melanin, which is responsible for hair color.
A brand that is already focusing on products for the time during peri- and menopause is Naydaya. Their scalp and hair oil Crowning Glory is helping to promote natural hair regrowth after hair loss and has received glowing reviews. Other products include Victory Oil, a natural remedy for intimate dryness, The Menopause Capsules, a vegan blend of vitamins, minerals and botanicals, designed to provide daily support for all 3 stages of menopause (perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause) and Body Blitz, a high-performing oil that hydrates and tones, boosts elasticity, tightens crepiness, and replenishes skin texture.
Within the next 3 quarters we will witness some more product launches targeting menopause. There are exciting things happening in our partner laboratories. If you are interested in starting your own beauty label get in contact with us now. We are looking forward hearing from you!