Morning Glow Newsletter Vol. 24
- hello78369
- Nov 6
- 5 min read
Face the Change: Why Menopause Shows on Your Skin and What to Do About It
Hello radiant readers,
When oestrogen levels fall during menopause, your skin doesn’t just age quietly – it stages a full rebel rally. Experts agree that this hormone isn’t just for hot flushes and mood swings. It also helps your skin stay plump and elastic by boosting collagen and elastin. With less of it around, the skin begins to thin, get drier and sag.
What this means for you is a triple threat. Dryness hits first because your skin’s oil production slows down. Then you might see fine lines, loose skin and the odd age spot as collagen levels drop. We’re talking “oestrogen-face” – the term coined for skin that suddenly seems to have checked out of its youth contract.
So what can you do? First, get the basics right: a gentle cleanser, SPF every day, and a moisturiser loaded with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to plug the holes in your skin barrier. The experts agree these ingredients give your skin some hang-on time. Second, consider treatments or products that mimic oestrogen’s skin-boosting punch. Topical oestrogen creams show promising results in increasing skin thickness, but you’ll need to weigh the benefits and risks with your doctor.
Finally, it’s about attitude. Your skin may be changing, but you don’t have to resign to it. Adjusting your routine isn’t admitting defeat; it’s a smart strategy. Instead of fighting ageing, you’re working with the biology you’ve got. And maybe the real win is that when you treat your skin with the respect it deserves, you feel a little more yourself. Because when oestrogen walks out, your confidence shouldn’t leave with it.
— Yara x
Coffee & Longevity: A Mug Worth Raising?
If you wake up and your alarm is bested only by that first drip of coffee, then this might be the news you’ve been waiting for. A fresh review finds that sipping about three to five cups of coffee a day is linked to a lower risk of many major diseases and perhaps even a longer life.
Researchers pooled decades of data from millions of people and discovered that those who drank this amount of coffee had around a 10–15% lower risk of death than non-drinkers. It applies to both caffeinated and decaf brews. The benefits span cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, respiratory illness and cognitive decline. The consensus? Moderate coffee intake appears safe and possibly quite good value in the health stakes.
Before you buy shares in the coffee industry, though, a few caveats. Most of this research is observational, so it cannot prove cause and effect. Adding sugar and saturated cream to your brew may cancel out its benefits. Experts agree that lifestyle still matters more than that extra cup. Also, if caffeine gives you the shakes or wrecks your sleep, then this might not be your miracle potion.
Here’s the takeaway. Enjoy the ritual. If you like three to five cups a day, and you’re otherwise living reasonably, moving, eating sensibly, resting, then raising your mug might double as a health habit. But don’t treat coffee as a replacement for the basics: fresh air, decent sleep and human connection. Your morning brew can be part of your day’s armour, but it will only work if the armour includes everything else too.
One Daily Move for the Pelvic Floor (Yes, Really)
If you’re 50 or over, you’re probably used to your body throwing curveballs. Here’s one you likely didn’t see coming: your pelvic floor might be getting lazy, too. Experts agree that strength and tone in the pelvic floor muscles aren’t just about childbirth or pregnancy — as oestrogen levels dip, muscle support drops too, and that means bladder, bowel and pelvic health can take a hit.
So what’s the one exercise recommended daily? Sit or lie in a comfortable position, take a deep diaphragm-driven breath, then – on the out-breath – lift your pelvic floor muscles like you’re trying to hold in a sneeze. Hold, then relax. Repeat. Simple. Do it once a day and you’re reporting to your muscles: pay attention, please.
Why bother? Because your pelvic floor supports your bladder, womb and bowel. As you age, muscle mass drops by about 5% per decade. That support wears loose and then you find yourself laughing, sneezing or jogging and the floor says “not today”. These exercises are cheap, discreet and proven to help.
Tips for success: include long squeezes (hold for 5-10 seconds), short quick squeezes, focus on breathing, and avoid tensing your stomach, thighs or buttocks. One set today is better than none ever.
So, put it this way: you’re not signing up for a gym membership you’ll ignore. You’re spending 2-3 minutes reminding the part of you that doesn’t wear yoga pants but definitely needs a bit of resilience. Do it today — your future self might not throw you curveballs quite so often.
Scratch the Surface: When Your Pubic Skin Needs Better Than a Quick Swipe
Experiencing dry, flaky skin down below? You’re not imagining it — and no, it’s not just your imagination playing up. Experts agree that skin in the pubic area can become rough, scaly or irritated for plenty of reasons, some simple and some more serious.
First up: dryness. The skin in that area needs oils and hydration to stay smooth. Without them, it can peel, sting or itch — age, hormones and certain health conditions all play a part. Then there’s irritation and allergic reactions. Tight underwear, scented wipes, harsh soaps or chlorine exposure can all inflame sensitive genital skin. The result? Flakes, tenderness and frustration.
Skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema also pull up on the shortlist. When these show up in the groin area, they often get dismissed or misdiagnosed because they look like other things. Infections play their part too — yeast overgrowth, bacterial imbalances and even some STIs can make skin dry and flaky in that region.
What you can do: switch to fragrance-free cleansers, choose breathable cotton underwear, treat the area gently and avoid harsh scrubs. If the problem goes beyond a week or two or there’s pain, discharge or persistent flare-ups, see a clinician. It’s tempting to dismiss this kind of thing, but it’s worth checking — your skin might be trying to tell you something.
Bone Up & Boss This Midlife Tabloid: Nutrition Edition
Your skeleton isn’t being petty, it’s just upgrading to “senior system” mode. And as oestrogen levels dip during and after menopause, your bones become the weakest link. The architecture slowly shifts; new bone can’t keep pace with the old being removed. Experts agree the good news is bones aren’t static… You can still rebuild.
Let’s talk nutrients like they’re the guest list at your after-party. Calcium remains the VIP, about 1,200 mg a day if you’re past 50. It’s the framework that keeps your bones from collapsing. Vitamin D plays the hanger-on sidekick; without it, calcium is left standing at the club, waiting for a table. Magnesium, vitamin K, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids all sneak in behind the ropes and boost absorption, structure, and anti-inflammation.
Here’s how you invite them in via your plate. Begin your day with Greek-style yoghurt layered with berries and chia seeds. Dinner? Salmon with kale and chickpeas. Beans, tofu, nuts, spinach, these have your back long term. Keep dairy-free? Fortified alternatives will do.
Still think this is a “someday I’ll sort it” issue? Think again. This is now. Strength training, brisk walks, weight-bearing moves and lifting two bags of shopping count. Each rep signals your bones that they still matter. The skeleton is the frame of your story; it won’t hold you if you don’t help.
So raise your fork, lace your trainers and give your bones the kind of attention they’ve earned. Midlife doesn’t soften you—it prepares you for a different type of strength.
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment. It is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.
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