Hi Gorgeous,
Our body is changing and our lips are no exception! The products we use should evolve with us :)
The transition through perimenopause and menopause triggers profound changes in your skin due primarily to declining estrogen levels. During perimenopause, which typically begins in our 40s, subtle changes start appearing as hormones fluctuate - we might notice increased dryness, the first appearance of fine lines, and skin that seems less resilient than before. As we progress into menopause, these changes accelerate dramatically, with studies showing we can lose up to 30% of their collagen in the first five years after menopause. This significant collagen reduction, combined with decreased elastin and hyaluronic acid production, causes our skin to thin noticeably, with the epidermis thinning approximately 1.13% yearly during this period. Crazy!
Our lip skin is extraordinarily thin—only 3-5 cell layers compared to the 15-16 layers on your face—and lacks oil glands entirely. As estrogen decreases, this already vulnerable tissue becomes significantly more fragile. The lips' collagen matrix weakens rapidly, causing vertical lines to form and lip volume to diminish noticeably. Many women observe their lips becoming increasingly dry and prone to cracking during perimenopause, as hormonal changes reduce the body's ability to retain moisture throughout all tissues.
The vermilion border—that precise edge defining our lips—often begins to blur during this transition as structural support diminishes and cell turnover slows. This can create an aged appearance as lipstick may begin to feather into surrounding skin.
Perimenopausal hormone fluctuations frequently trigger inflammatory responses, making lips more susceptible to irritation from ingredients they previously tolerated well. The corners of the mouth become particularly vulnerable to cracking as skin elasticity decreases and deeper creases form. Look at our ingredients list and see how we address inflammation!
Protection becomes crucial during this time because your lips have minimal natural defenses against environmental damage.
Daily lip protection with appropriate formulas isn't merely cosmetic—it's essential preventative care. Without intervention, the lip changes that begin during perimenopause can progress rapidly, contributing significantly to visible signs of aging.
Time to choose correctly my loves!!
xx
Gabriela