Dr. Leta Vega
your Educator Speaker Advocate

Raid Your Fridge: Gentle, Natural Beauty Care for Menopausal Skin and Hair

Menopause has a way of changing the rules of beauty overnight. Skin that once behaved suddenly feels dry, sensitive, or unpredictable. Hair may lose its shine, lips chap more easily, and those small seasonal annoyances like cracked heels, seem to linger longer than they used to. The good news? Relief might already be sitting in your kitchen.

There’s something comforting about returning to simple, natural care during a time when your body is shifting. Hormonal changes reduce collagen, oil production, and moisture retention, which is why menopausal skin and hair often crave nourishment rather than harsh treatments. A few pantry staples can offer exactly that gentle hydration, barrier support, and exfoliation without irritation.

Banana for cracked heels and rough patches
Winter dryness and hormonal skin thinning can make feet especially vulnerable. Overripe bananas, the ones you meant to eat but forgot, can become an effective softening mask. Mash a banana with a small amount of cornstarch to form a paste and apply it to cracked heels or rough spots. Bananas contain natural sugars and potassium that help draw moisture into the skin, while the paste texture helps it stay in place. Leave it on for 15–20 minutes, then rinse. Skin feels noticeably smoother and more comfortable.

Avocado for depleted, thirsty skin
As estrogen declines, skin’s natural lipid content drops, leading to that tight, papery feeling many women notice in midlife. Avocado is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, exactly what menopausal skin lacks. Mash ripe avocado with a drizzle of olive oil and apply as a facial or hand mask. After about 20 minutes, rinse gently. The result is soft, replenished skin with a restored barrier especially helpful if you’re noticing increased sensitivity to products.

Coconut oil for dry, fragile hair
Hair often becomes coarser or more brittle during menopause due to reduced sebum production. Coconut oil works beautifully as a deep-conditioning treatment because its fatty acid profile penetrates the hair shaft rather than just coating it. Apply a small amount to damp hair, focusing on mid-lengths and ends. Leave it on for several hours or overnight if comfortable then shampoo and condition as usual. Hair typically feels smoother, shinier, and less prone to breakage.

Honey scrub for dull, crepey skin
Skin cell turnover slows with age, which can leave the surface looking dull. Gentle exfoliation paired with hydration is ideal. Honey provides humectant moisture and antioxidants, while brown sugar offers mild physical exfoliation. Mix a few tablespoons of honey with about half a cup of brown sugar and a splash of olive oil. Massage onto damp skin in the shower, then rinse. Skin emerges softer and more luminous without irritation.

Sugar blend for dry, flaky lips
Lip thinning and dryness are common menopausal complaints. A simple blend of sugar with honey or coconut oil creates a soothing exfoliant that removes flakes without tearing delicate tissue. Massage lightly, then wipe away and follow with balm. Lips feel smoother and more comfortable almost immediately.

Menopause is not a failure of beauty it’s a transition of needs. Your skin and hair are asking for richer nourishment, slower care, and gentler rituals. Sometimes the most effective solutions aren’t in expensive jars, but in familiar foods that support moisture and repair. Your kitchen can become a quiet ally in feeling comfortable in your changing body one soft heel, hydrated strand, and nourished face at a time.

Staying Social During Menopause: Why Friends Are Actually a Hormone Reset Button

Menopause has a funny way of changing not just your body, but your social battery. One minute you want deep, meaningful conversations with someone who gets it, and the next you want to cancel every plan and live in sweatpants with a snack and zero obligations. Both feelings are valid.

The truth is, staying social during menopause isn’t about being the most outgoing version of yourself; it’s about connection that feels safe, real, and energizing. Hormonal shifts can increase anxiety, mood swings, and even feelings of isolation. Regular social connection has been shown to lower stress, improve mood, and boost a sense of belonging, all things that can feel harder to hold onto during this life stage.

Friendships may start to look different now. You might prefer smaller gatherings over loud, crowded events. Coffee dates over late nights. Walks with a friend over packed dinner reservations. This isn’t becoming “boring,” it’s becoming honest about what actually fills your cup.

Menopause can also be a beautiful time to form new connections. Book clubs, walking groups, pickleball leagues, volunteer organizations, community classes, these spaces create low-pressure ways to meet people with similar interests. And there’s something incredibly powerful about laughing with women who understand night sweats, brain fog, and the art of pretending you slept.

Technology makes staying connected easier than ever. Group chats, voice notes, video calls, and online communities can help you feel supported even on days when leaving the house feels like a full-body workout.

The most important part of staying social in menopause is releasing the pressure to show up perfectly. You don’t have to be the fun friend all the time. You don’t have to host, entertain, or impress. You just have to be real.

Friendship in this season becomes less about performance and more about presence. And sometimes, the best social plan is simply sitting with someone who lets you be exactly as you are.

Makeup Tips for Women Over 60: Enhancing Beauty at Every Age

Makeup after 60 is less about covering up and more about enhancing the natural beauty that comes with experience and confidence. Mature skin benefits from lightweight, hydrating formulas that won’t settle into fine lines. A tinted moisturizer or light foundation with a dewy finish helps create a fresh, healthy glow without looking heavy.

Brows play a big role in framing the face, especially as they tend to thin with age. Using a soft brow pencil or powder to gently fill in sparse areas can instantly give a more lifted, youthful appearance. When it comes to eyes, neutral matte shades and soft shimmers work beautifully, while harsh, dark lines can sometimes look heavy. A thin line of brown or charcoal liner near the lashes creates definition without overpowering the eye.

Blush is your best friend. Soft peach, rose, or warm pink tones bring life back to the complexion and give a natural-looking flush. For lips, creamy formulas are more forgiving than matte ones. Shades like soft berry, coral, or classic rose offer color without emphasizing lines.

The most important element of makeup at any age? Confidence. A warm smile and a relaxed, happy face will always be the most flattering look you can wear.