July 3, 2025 • 5 mins
The podcast episode, hosted by Carrie Scharf for "Plants, Flowers, Oils, and Whimsy", discusses the skin changes occurring due to perimenopause - the period before menopause. Covering a range of issues such as dryness, increased sensitivity, loss of elasticity, acne, hyperpigmentation, and a slower healing process, she brings attention to the essential skin care needed during this time. Subsequently, she outlines the benefits of several herbs like Calendula, Rose, Red Clover, Chamomile, Gotu Kola, and Evening Primrose Oil that can help in alleviating these changes. Moreover, she suggests an adapted skincare routine including oil cleansing with herbal-infused oils, weekly herbal steam, hydrosol misting, facial massage, and nightly facial oil applications. Additionally, she touches on the significance of emotional care practices such as journaling, prayer, or spending time with loved ones during this transition phase.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of our podcast, Plants, Flowers,
Oils and Whimsy. I'm your host, Carrie Sharf. In today's episode,
we're going to chat about something that many of us
will experience at some point in our lives, perimenopause and
the changes it brings to our skin. So grab a
cup of tea, sit back, relax, and let's dive into
this important and insightful conversation. First, let's talk about what
(00:29):
perimenopause actually is. It's the transition period before menopause, often
starting in a woman's forties, though it can begin earlier
for some. During this time, our hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone,
start to fluctuate and eventually decrease. This hormonal roller coaster
has quite an impact on our skin. One of the
(00:49):
most common changes is dryness and increased sensitivity. Estrogen helps
our skin retain moisture, so as it drops, you might
notice your skin feeling drier and more easily irritated. Next,
there's the loss of elasticity. Lower estrogen levels mean less
collagen production, which leads to sagging and fine lines. And
don't be surprised if acne makes an unwelcome return. The
(01:11):
hormonal imbalance can cause breakouts even if you never had
issues with acne before. Hyperpigmentation or dark spots and dullness
are also common. This happens because estrogen plays a role
in controlling the amount of melanin in the skin. Less
estrogen means more uneven skin tone and a lackluster complexion. Lastly,
our skin's healing process slows down. Cuts, bruises, and blemishes
(01:34):
might linger longer than they used to, all thanks to
those dropping hormone levels. But here's the silver lining. This
period invites us to give our skin the deeper care
and attention it truly deserves. It's a chance to nurture
ourselves with soothing routines and nourishing products, turning this life
stage into a positive and pampering experience. Stay tuned as
(01:56):
we explore even more ways to support our skin health
in the next segment. Now, let's shift gears and talk
about how herbs can actually support you during this time
of change. We'll go through a few specific herbs and
their benefits so you can consider incorporating them into your
skin care routine. First up, we have coleendula. This herb
is renowned for its healing and anti inflammatory properties, making
(02:17):
it perfect for soothing irritated skin. Next is rose, which
is not only beautifully fragrant, but also works wonders as
a cooling and a stringent agent. Plus it's emotionally supportive,
lending a calming effect during those more trying days. Red
clover is another herb worth mentioning. It's phytoestrogenic, meaning it
has plant based compounds that mimic estrogen, and it's also
(02:39):
rich in antioxidants, which are great for overall skin health.
Camomeal is well known for its calming effects not just
on the skin, but also for the nervous system. It
can help alleviate redness and irritation while providing a sense
of relaxation. Go To Cola is fantastic for circulation and
it stimulates collagen production, helping to maintain skin elasticity and firmness. Last,
(03:04):
but not lease, there's evening primrose oil. This is a
go to for moisture and hormone balance, offering relief from
dryness while keeping your skin hydrated. Incorporating these herbs into
your skincare routine can offer incredible benefits and help ease
some of the skin changes brought on by perimenopause. All right,
let's move on to our next topic. During perimenopause, having
(03:27):
adapted skincare routines can make a world of difference. First
and foremost, let's talk about the importance of oil cleansing
with herbal infused oils. These oils can help remove impurities
without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. You can
use oils infused with colendula or camomal to calm and
soothe your skin. Another key ritual to consider is a
(03:47):
weakly herbal steam. This practice opens up your pores and
allows your skin to absorb the benefits of herbs like
rose and red clover. It's a great way to refresh
your skin and enjoy a moment of self care throughout
the day. Hydrosolsing is an excellent way to keep your
skin hydrated. Hydrosols like rose water or chemamile water can
soothe and revitalize your complexion on the go. Let's not
(04:09):
forget facial massage for circulation. Regular massage can help stimulate
blood flow, promoting a healthy glow and aiding in the
absorption of your skin care products. You can use a
few drops of evening primrose oil or go to cola
for this. Nightly facial oil is another essential ritual. Applying
a nourishing oil before bed helps to lock in moisture
and repair your skin overnight. Look for oils that contain
(04:32):
evening primrose or rose hip for an added boost of
hydration and healing properties. Now, let's touch on the emotional side.
Incorporating practices such as journaling, prayer, or simply rest and
connection with loved ones can have a profound effect on
your overall well being. Emotional care is just as important
as physical care during this time of transition. By integrating
(04:54):
these rituals, you cannot only enhance your skin health, but
also nurture your emotional well being. After all, a holistic
approach to skincare can make this journey through perimenopause a
bit smoother and a lot more comforting. As we wrap
up today's episode, remember that you're not alone in this journey.
The changes you're experiencing are natural, and they highlight the
wisdom and beauty of your body. For those of you
(05:16):
wanting to delve deeper, there are plenty of resources out
there to explore everything we've discussed today. Make sure to
be kind to your skin and gentle with your heart.
Thank you so much for joining me on this episode
of Plants, Flowers, Oils and Whimsy. Until next time, take
care and continue to nourish yourself.
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of our podcast, Plants, Flowers,
Oils and Whimsy. I'm your host, Carrie Sharf. In today's episode,
we're going to chat about something that many of us
will experience at some point in our lives, perimenopause and
the changes it brings to our skin. So grab a
cup of tea, sit back, relax, and let's dive into
this important and insightful conversation. First, let's talk about what
(00:29):
perimenopause actually is. It's the transition period before menopause, often
starting in a woman's forties, though it can begin earlier
for some. During this time, our hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone,
start to fluctuate and eventually decrease. This hormonal roller coaster
has quite an impact on our skin. One of the
(00:49):
most common changes is dryness and increased sensitivity. Estrogen helps
our skin retain moisture, so as it drops, you might
notice your skin feeling drier and more easily irritated. Next,
there's the loss of elasticity. Lower estrogen levels mean less
collagen production, which leads to sagging and fine lines. And
don't be surprised if acne makes an unwelcome return. The
(01:11):
hormonal imbalance can cause breakouts even if you never had
issues with acne before. Hyperpigmentation or dark spots and dullness
are also common. This happens because estrogen plays a role
in controlling the amount of melanin in the skin. Less
estrogen means more uneven skin tone and a lackluster complexion. Lastly,
our skin's healing process slows down. Cuts, bruises, and blemishes
(01:34):
might linger longer than they used to, all thanks to
those dropping hormone levels. But here's the silver lining. This
period invites us to give our skin the deeper care
and attention it truly deserves. It's a chance to nurture
ourselves with soothing routines and nourishing products, turning this life
stage into a positive and pampering experience. Stay tuned as
(01:56):
we explore even more ways to support our skin health
in the next segment. Now, let's shift gears and talk
about how herbs can actually support you during this time
of change. We'll go through a few specific herbs and
their benefits so you can consider incorporating them into your
skin care routine. First up, we have coleendula. This herb
is renowned for its healing and anti inflammatory properties, making
(02:17):
it perfect for soothing irritated skin. Next is rose, which
is not only beautifully fragrant, but also works wonders as
a cooling and a stringent agent. Plus it's emotionally supportive,
lending a calming effect during those more trying days. Red
clover is another herb worth mentioning. It's phytoestrogenic, meaning it
has plant based compounds that mimic estrogen, and it's also
(02:39):
rich in antioxidants, which are great for overall skin health.
Camomeal is well known for its calming effects not just
on the skin, but also for the nervous system. It
can help alleviate redness and irritation while providing a sense
of relaxation. Go To Cola is fantastic for circulation and
it stimulates collagen production, helping to maintain skin elasticity and firmness. Last,
(03:04):
but not lease, there's evening primrose oil. This is a
go to for moisture and hormone balance, offering relief from
dryness while keeping your skin hydrated. Incorporating these herbs into
your skincare routine can offer incredible benefits and help ease
some of the skin changes brought on by perimenopause. All right,
let's move on to our next topic. During perimenopause, having
(03:27):
adapted skincare routines can make a world of difference. First
and foremost, let's talk about the importance of oil cleansing
with herbal infused oils. These oils can help remove impurities
without stripping your skin of its natural moisture. You can
use oils infused with colendula or camomal to calm and
soothe your skin. Another key ritual to consider is a
(03:47):
weakly herbal steam. This practice opens up your pores and
allows your skin to absorb the benefits of herbs like
rose and red clover. It's a great way to refresh
your skin and enjoy a moment of self care throughout
the day. Hydrosolsing is an excellent way to keep your
skin hydrated. Hydrosols like rose water or chemamile water can
soothe and revitalize your complexion on the go. Let's not
(04:09):
forget facial massage for circulation. Regular massage can help stimulate
blood flow, promoting a healthy glow and aiding in the
absorption of your skin care products. You can use a
few drops of evening primrose oil or go to cola
for this. Nightly facial oil is another essential ritual. Applying
a nourishing oil before bed helps to lock in moisture
and repair your skin overnight. Look for oils that contain
(04:32):
evening primrose or rose hip for an added boost of
hydration and healing properties. Now, let's touch on the emotional side.
Incorporating practices such as journaling, prayer, or simply rest and
connection with loved ones can have a profound effect on
your overall well being. Emotional care is just as important
as physical care during this time of transition. By integrating
(04:54):
these rituals, you cannot only enhance your skin health, but
also nurture your emotional well being. After all, a holistic
approach to skincare can make this journey through perimenopause a
bit smoother and a lot more comforting. As we wrap
up today's episode, remember that you're not alone in this journey.
The changes you're experiencing are natural, and they highlight the
wisdom and beauty of your body. For those of you
(05:16):
wanting to delve deeper, there are plenty of resources out
there to explore everything we've discussed today. Make sure to
be kind to your skin and gentle with your heart.
Thank you so much for joining me on this episode
of Plants, Flowers, Oils and Whimsy. Until next time, take
care and continue to nourish yourself.
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