<p>Of course, the proof is in the pudding, so we reached out to a few of our <a href=”https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/health/a42619955/what-is-perimenopause/”>peri- and menopausal </a>friends who are in the heat of it all and had them put some cooling and mattifying beauty products to the test. After a few weeks, many have found new favorites to add to their routine, including cooling facial mists, a refreshing body cream and hydro-gel face masks. Keep reading for their favorites.<br></p>”/>
Actress Naomi Watts created her brand, Stripes, specifically for those going through menopause. Her lightweight facial mist is handy for hydrating skin and offering a dose of cooling freshness. “The scent is soft, like powder, and not medicinal at all,” says Laurie Martinez, an office manager in New Mexico. “I use this product throughout the day because I love the smell.” The formula contains edelweiss leaf extract to help lift and tighten skin, aloe vera to soothe irritation, and squalane to hydrate.
Martinez describes this cooling hydro-gel face mask as a spa-like experience. It feels cool and refreshing upon application and leaves your skin feeling hydrated, plump, and radiant, thanks to hyaluronic acid and peptides. “I happened to have a hot flash while using this mask, and it was cooling and soothing,” says Christine, a fashion stylist in New York City. “I also liked that my skin felt supple after.” Here’s a pro tip: Keep your mask in the fridge for an extra cooling effect when applied, suggests Loretta Ciraldo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Miami.
“I was in the midst of a hot flash when I received this product, so I used it right away!” says Martinez. “It felt like a cool breeze was going over my body, and that feeling lasted at least 15 minutes. It’s so refreshing that I’ve started using it as my go-to body lotion.” In addition to its cooling sensation, it offers lightweight hydration and helps make skin look a bit tighter over time with caffeine, aloe, hyaluronic acid, dead sea water, and watermelon extract.
A must-have for your handbag: this blotting compact, which was a 2023 Oprah Favorite’s Things winner for its clever reusable packaging. Inside, you’ll find a sponge applicator to pick up one of the new, clean blotting papers within, preventing you from transferring grime from your fingers to your face. It’s ideal for post-flash clean-up. “It’s something I didn’t think I needed until I had it and kept reaching for it,” says Rivas. “Whenever I get hot, I sweat, and this helps soak up shine.”
If you suddenly experience a hot flash and are worried about odor, keep this whole-body deodorant on deck. (Because fun fact: Sweat on its own doesn’t actually cause odor. It’s bacteria mixed with sweat that can cause a smell.) You can use this everywhere, from your underarms to private areas for a cool, refreshing mist that leaves you smelling great. It’s clinically proven to provide up to 72 hours of odor protection. “This works well for hot flashes and workouts,” says Christine. “I love that it goes on nice and smooth, and while unscented was my favorite, the scented ones weren’t overwhelming, which was nice.”
This serum isn’t just satisfying to use for its cooling sensation. It also improves the look and feel of skin over time with antioxidant-rich centella asiatica to help protect the skin, hydrating hyaluronic acid, brightening mushroom extract, and vitamin B5. “It felt nice, moisturizing, and cooling for a few minutes after application,” Christine shares. Sendy Rivas, a middle school teacher in New York, adds: “I love that it’s lightweight but so moisturizing. And the fun blue tint and refreshingly cool feel is great.”
Keep this detoxifying dry shampoo near your desk, in your gym bag, or even in your car for sudden sweaty situations. Besides soaking up excess moisture, it contains aquatic mint to purify and menthol to provide a cooling sensation on the scalp. “I perspire during the day and and am often pulling my hair off my neck for some airflow, but all that touching causes oily-looking hair,” says Martinez. “Spraying this allows me to feel more confident when I don’t have a chance to wash it. It also mists on easily and smells great.”
Nothing wrong with regular ice, but these cubes are next-level. They’re individually wrapped frozen toner pods that you can glide across skin to help reduce inflammation, increase circulation, soothe skin, and promote a glowing complexion. While they’re great for post-procedure, post-sun exposure, or active breakouts, we’ve found that they do wonders for keeping cool during a hot flash—and they’re doing good things for your skin, too.
A touch of coolness and a way to make your makeup stay put longer? You’ll get both from this silky primer. (Although feel free to use on bare skin without any makeup for a smoother and more even-looking complexion.) It’s a silicone-free formula that contains prebiotic peptides to support a strong barrier, ashwagandha to reduce the signs of fatigued-looking skin, and reishi mushroom extract to protect.
Genesis Rivas is the Beauty Editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers hair, makeup, skin, nails, and more. Before joining the Oprah Daily team, she wrote for several publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, and Shape. When she’s not testing, researching, and writing fun and educational beauty content, you can find her dancing and eating her way through New York City. Follow her on Instagram or TikTok
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