decrease and disorganization of elastic fibres; a reduction in hyaluronic acid, essential to dermal hydration; and a thinning and dilation of vascular walls.
The role of the cutaneous microbiome The decline in oestrogen also disrupts the cutaneous ecosystem. A reduction in microbial diversity and an imbalance, or dysbiosis, are observed, associated with decreased sebum, elevated pH and a weakened barrier. The depletion of lipids reduces sebum dependent Cutibacterium, thereby altering the equilibrium of bacterial communities. This dysbiosis is associated with diminished resilience, heightened inflammation (inflammaging) and dryness. The precise host microbiome interactions nonetheless remain poorly characterised: metagenomic approaches now aim to map these dynamics in order to develop targeted microbiome modulation strategies.
How brands are repositioning around menopause Once dismissed by anti-ageing marketing that rendered them invisible, menopausal women are now courted by brands working to destigmatize this transition through dedicated skincare and campaigns featuring women in their fifties. Incorporating well-being, the term ‘pro-age’