In Conversation with Chiza Westcarr — Menopause as a Transition: Skin, Gut and Internal Balance

I met Chiza Westcarr last year at a Corneotherapy conference in Queensland — where we explored emerging discoveries in skin health and connected with others within the industry.

It was clear from the outset that Chiza takes a deeply integrated approach to health — one that considers the skin in constant dialogue with the body. As a Clinical Nutritionist, Dermal Clinician, Health Coach and educator, her work is grounded in both skin science and internal health, with a particular focus on supporting women through perimenopause and menopause — a space she is currently researching at a PhD level.

Shortly after, I discovered her formulations through Florabiome. What stood out was their focus on gut health, delivered in a liquid format that feels both bioavailable and easy to incorporate into daily life. It felt like a natural alignment, and a considered addition to SIHA.

Here is our conversation.

Why do you think menopause has been overlooked for so long — and what shifts are you hopeful to see?

Menopause has been overlooked for far too long because it sits at the intersection of women’s health, ageing, and symptoms that are often invisible to others. For many years, women have been expected to push through, stay quiet, and normalise discomfort, while health systems — and even the beauty and wellness industries — have often focused more on fertility than on what happens after it.

From a clinical perspective, this has a deep impact. Women are not only experiencing hot flushes, but also changes in confidence, skin, mood, sleep, weight, gut health, inflammation, and their sense of identity. Many feel confused, dismissed, or unsupported.

What is encouraging is that the conversation is beginning to broaden. Menopause is starting to be understood as a whole-body transition, not just a hormonal event. There is more openness, more education, and a growing focus on supporting women in a way that feels informed and considered.

What changes are happening internally that lead to dryness or sensitivity in the skin?

One of the key drivers is the decline in oestrogen. Oestrogen plays an important role in supporting skin hydration, barrier function, collagen production, and overall resilience.

As levels shift, the skin often produces less oil, loses moisture more easily, and becomes thinner and less able to defend itself. This is why skin that once tolerated active ingredients or frequent exfoliation may suddenly become dry, reactive, or easily irritated.

What appears on the surface is often a reflection of these deeper physiological changes within the body.

How does menopause influence the gut–skin connection?

Menopause can significantly influence the gut–skin connection. Hormonal changes affect the gut microbiome, digestion, gut permeability, and inflammatory signalling — all of which can be expressed through the skin.

When the gut is not functioning optimally, we often see increased sensitivity, inflammation, dullness, and reduced resilience in the skin.

The skin does not operate in isolation. During menopause, shifts in hormones, sleep, stress, blood sugar regulation, and gut health all play a role in how the skin looks and behaves. This is why a purely topical approach is often not enough — internal support becomes essential.

What role does inflammation play in menopausal skin concerns?

Inflammation is a significant part of the picture. Hormonal changes can contribute to a more inflammatory internal environment, which can affect hydration, pigmentation, sensitivity, healing, and collagen breakdown.

Many women notice their skin becomes more reactive, more flushed, and slower to recover.

Importantly, inflammation is rarely driven by a single factor. It can be influenced by stress, poor sleep, blood sugar imbalance, gut dysfunction, over-exercising, under-eating, or skincare that is too aggressive for the skin’s current state.

Supporting menopausal skin requires a broader view — one that looks beyond the surface.

Are there key nutrients or strategies that support women during this time?

A focus on nourishment is essential.

Protein, fibre, healthy fats, and a diversity of plant foods help support blood sugar balance, the gut microbiome, hormone metabolism, skin structure, and inflammation regulation.

Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, vitamin D, zinc, and antioxidants all play important roles, depending on the individual.

From a gut perspective, regular fibre intake, adequate hydration, and foods that support microbial diversity can be incredibly beneficial.

The aim is not perfection, but consistency — building a foundation that supports the whole system.

What are some common mistakes women make with their skin during menopause?

One of the most common is continuing with routines that no longer suit the skin.

As the skin becomes more fragile, drier, and more prone to inflammation, strong actives, frequent exfoliation, and aggressive treatments can become too much.

Another is focusing only on topical skincare, without considering what is happening internally. Menopausal skin is often a reflection of broader physiological change.

There is also a tendency to try to correct or fight ageing, when the skin often responds better to support, nourishment, and barrier repair.

How can women begin to reframe menopause as a stage to thrive in?

Menopause is not a personal failure — it is a biological transition.

With the right understanding, it can become a time to reconnect with the body, to listen more closely, and to support health in a more considered way.

Thriving does not mean the experience is without challenge, but it does mean that with the right support, women can feel well, think clearly, and move through this phase with greater confidence and resilience.

What is one message you would want women to understand about their skin during menopause?

Your skin is responding to internal change — you are not failing it.

When this is understood, the approach shifts. From frustration to curiosity. From overcorrection to support.

Menopausal skin often needs more hydration, nourishment, barrier support, and an understanding of the role that gut health, stress, sleep, and nutrition all play. When this is addressed, the skin is far more supported in returning to balance.

Explore Florabiome
Deflame Gut Supportive Elixir
A warming blend designed to support the body’s inflammatory response and overall balance.

Calm Bio-Fermented Elixir
A soothing formulation to support stress regulation, gut health, and restorative sleep.