• The inventory *

After 50 years, difficult to escape: it is nice to keep an eye on the scales, the body changes. Even the thinnest ones notice it: the belly gets stuck and resists the diets, the size disappears, the skin loses its behavior. Explanations: the hormonal decline of estrogen increases the activity of abdominal adipocytes under the influence of androgens, hence the programmed impaction of the waist and belly. At the same time, collagen synthesis is running out of steam. And that does not stop there ... The slowing down of energy expenditure (decrease in physical activity, decrease in metabolic activity) results in a decrease of lean mass (muscles) in favor of body fat: the belly and waist appear softer. There is also often a circulatory deficiency, poor drainage. In addition, the skin tissue loses thickness: the skin lacks firmness and no longer plays its supporting role. Finally, by slowing down all cutaneous functions, the drop in hormonal activity also leads to increased dryness and discomfort of the skin.

• The priorities

Boost circulation and massage up and down to prevent slowing of natural drainage. Strive to mitigate the loss of thickness of the skin tissue to strengthen its firmness and restore flexibility and tension to the skin. Finally, redraw the waist and firm the belly .

• Good plans

To drain, anti-flake rutin: Perfect Slim Slimming Gel and Sculptural Firming Baume Fondant, Sublime Body from OrZal Paris.

To boost collagen and firm up the belly, burn fat (crowberry berry, caffeine), powerful firming (tensor polymers and silicon): Clarins Multi-Intensive Belly-Height Remodeling Care.

To restore suppleness and comfort, unsaponifiables of avocado, vitamin A, E ... in a balm rich in fatty acids that corrects the deficiencies of mature skin: Voluptuous Rescue Balm de Valmont.

For those who are always in a hurry, a care as nourishing and restoring (four vegetable oils) on the face as on the body, thanks to the polyphenols of grapes but without greasy finish: Divine Oil of Caudalie.

• The dietary reflex **

It is imperative to learn to consider diet as a medicine with a specific effect on the body and mind. Two exams make it easy to manage. The search for food intolerances (from a drop of blood) and the examination of hormones (salivary test). To promote, legumes, pulses, whole grains for fiber and protein. The latter ensuring good intestinal function and good elimination of toxins ... but beware of gluten! Nourishing nuts, almonds, hazelnuts and high fat Omega 3 and Omega 6 make the brain work. They are fundamental because they promote the formation of good cholesterol (HDL), which itself contributes to the hormonal balance. To stay in good shape, and maintain this balance, it is better to consume complete foods, natural and non-industrial.

* With Caroline Debbasch, director of scientific communication at Clarins.

** With Dr. Didier Panizza, dietician.