Even though menopause will affect all women and people who menstruate at a certain point in their lives, there’s a clear lack of discourse around the transition, and what we can all expect.
From brain fog to hot flashes, night sweats and sleep problems, there’s a lot to be aware of, especially when these symptoms can begin several years before the change itself (a period known as perimenopause).
Another change that often surprises people? Menopausal skin.
“As women approach menopause, changes in hormone levels can have a significant impact on the skin. The decrease in oestrogen production during this time can lead to a range of skin concerns, including dryness, thinning, and increased sensitivity. Understanding these changes is crucial in developing an effective skincare routine to support menopausal skin,” explains integrated facialist, April Brodie. “After being used to a certain skin type or skincare needs our entire life, we need to be prepared to adapt our routine in line with these changes.”
“So many women come to me baffled by the changes in their skin when they hit menopause. They’ve used the same effective skincare routine for years, and all of a sudden, it stops working and their skin just goes rogue,” adds Ageless Clinics‘ Dr Maryam Ronagh. “In a panic, some start ramping up their use of actives, which sometimes ends up making their skin worse. The role our hormones play in our skin health is complex, so it’s really important to understand how menopause affects the body and support our skin’s changes with an effective, multi-faceted approach.”
Our skin loses approx. 30% of its collagen during the first five years of menopause, so it’s natural that our skincare routines will need to adapt as well.
Here, Brodie and Dr Ronagh break down what to expect – and the steps we can take to support our body’s biggest organ during the change.
What are the common skin conditions that come with menopause?
“Dryness is a common complaint among menopausal women, as lower oestrogen levels can result in decreased oil production. This can leave the skin feeling dehydrated and prone to flakiness. To combat dryness, it is essential to incorporate hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides into your skincare routine. These ingredients help to replenish lost moisture and strengthen the skin’s barrier to prevent further dehydration,” explains Brodie.
“Thinning skin is another issue that many menopausal women face. The skin can lose its firmness and elasticity, leading to a more sagging appearance. To address thinning skin, incorporating collagen-boosting ingredients such as retinol and peptides can help promote skin renewal and improve elasticity. Additionally, sunscreen is crucial in protecting the skin from further damage and preventing premature ageing.”
“Hormonal fluctuations can make the skin more reactive, so many women tend to face increased sensitivity. Opting for gentle, fragrance-free products can help reduce irritation and inflammation. Look for skincare products with soothing ingredients like chamomile and aloe vera to calm sensitive skin and restore balance.”
How does oestrogen affect different organs in the body, particularly the skin?
“Oestrogen affects every organ system, with receptors predominantly found around the genital area, face, and lower limbs. Consequently, these areas are especially vulnerable to decreased oestrogen levels in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women,” says Dr Ronagh. “Many women experience a sudden onset of skin ageing after menopausal symptoms start, characterised by thinning, increased wrinkles, dryness, and decreased firmness and elasticity. Estrogens significantly influence skin physiology, controlling various cells and structures such as keratinocytes, fibroblasts, melanocytes, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands. Administering oestrogen can delay skin ageing, accelerate wound healing, and protect against photoaging, resulting in lower mortality rates from non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers in women.”
How should I look after menopausal skin?
“If you take a preventative approach and address your skin health early, it’s much easier to navigate these changes, because the change in our hormone profile begins in the premenopausal stage. This is when oestrogen levels decrease, before reaching their lowest point after menopause. Hence, most menopausal symptoms, including effects on the skin, start before menopause occurs,” Dr Ronagh tells Women’s Health. “As a GP and cosmetic physician, I understand the challenges of dealing with these changes. Severe symptoms may require hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to replace decreased oestrogen levels, provided there are no contraindications. HRT is reserved for specific menopausal women with severe, uncontrolled symptoms or early menopause.”
To minimise ageing effects after menopause, treatments can be divided into groups:
- Topical creams and skincare products containing ingredients such as Vitamins A and C, hyaluronic acid, DMAE, and chemical peels. Adding Isoflavon to skincare can enhance hyaluronic content and collagen quality.
- Energy devices like ultrasound, radiofrequency, and lasers stimulate collagen production.
- Injectables like hyaluronic acid, biostimulators, and bio-remodeling agents can be used.
- Exciting new treatments like Exosome therapy target hair regrowth and skin rejuvenation, utilising nano-sized vesicles crucial for cell communication and tissue repair.
- Long lifting threads lift sagging lower faces and promote collagen formation.
These treatments target specific changes in skin physiology effectively, addressing ageing concerns post-menopause.
An example routine
In the morning:
Cleanser: Start your day by cleansing your skin with a gentle, hydrating cleanser to remove impurities and prepare your skin for the day ahead.
Vitamin C Serum: Apply a vitamin C serum to brighten dull skin, even out skin tone, and protect against environmental damage.
Moisturiser: Hydrate your skin with a moisturiser containing hyaluronic acid and ceramides to boost moisture levels and strengthen the skin’s barrier.
Sunscreen: Finish off your morning routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from UV damage.
In the evening:
Double Cleanse: Start with an oil-based cleanser to remove makeup and sunscreen, followed by a water-based cleanser to cleanse the skin thoroughly.
Retinol Treatment: Incorporate a retinol serum or cream to promote skin renewal, improve elasticity, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Moisturiser: Apply a richer moisturiser in the evening to hydrate and nourish the skin while you sleep.
Eye Cream: Don’t forget to apply an eye cream to address concerns such as dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines around the eyes.
Weekly treatments:
Exfoliation: Use a gentle exfoliating scrub or chemical exfoliant (such as glycolic acid or lactic acid or PHA) once or twice a week to promote cell turnover and improve skin texture.
Hydrating Mask: Treat your skin to a hydrating mask to replenish moisture and soothe dry, dehydrated skin.
What products should I use?
The products you use will depend on your specific skincare concern and how well your complexion tolerates intense active ingredients. such as retinols, but the advice that follows gives you some guidance on the ingredients to arm yourself with.
1. Hyaluronic Acid: During menopause the skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels decline, leading to dryness. Replenish moisture levels and plump up your skin by incorporating hyaluronic acid into your routine. Look for serums or moisturisers containing hyaluronic acid for hydrated, supple skin.
2. Retinoids: Retinol and prescription-strength retinoids like tretinoin, are essential for women in their 50s. These ingredients stimulate collagen production, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture. They also help to fade age spots and promote a more youthful complexion over time.
3. Niacinamide: Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is a versatile ingredient that offers multiple benefits for skin during menopause. Niacinamide helps strengthen the skin barrier and reduce inflammation. Niacinamide also has brightening properties, helping to fade dark spots and promote an even skin tone.
4. Antioxidants: Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea extract, play a crucial role in protecting the skin from environmental damage. Incorporating antioxidant-rich serums or creams into your routine can help brighten the complexion, even out skin tone, and promote a youthful glow.
5. Peptides: Peptides are amino acids that serve as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin. Including peptides in your skincare regimen can help support collagen production, improve skin firmness, and reduce the appearance of sagging and wrinkles. Look for products with peptide complexes to target multiple signs of ageing effectively.
6 product recommendations for menopausal skin
Medik8
Hydr8 B5 Serum
Containing a nourishing blend of moisture-boosting Hyaluronic Acid and skin-softening Vitamin B5, Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Liquid Rehydration Serum is a must-have for all skin types suffering from dehydration and dullness.
Avène
Hydrance Boost Concentrated Hydrating Serum
A lightweight serum formulated with Hyaluronic acid and Vitamin B3 to leave skin feeling soft, moisturised and plump.
Kiehl’s
Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
This Retinol serum for anti-aging uses a daily-strength dose of pure retinol to visibly reduce wrinkles, refine the feel of skin’s texture and firm skin.
La Roche-Posay
Retinol B3 an Anti-Ageing Serum for Sensitive Skin
La Roche-Posay’s Redermic Retinol Serum is an anti-ageing serum with pure retinol to resurface and renew the look of fine lines, deep wrinkles and dark spots.
Sunday Riley
Pink Drink Resurfacing Essence
Like a power drink for your skin, this peptide-infused essence works to help firm, balance and resurface.
Elemis
Pro-Collagen Neck & Decollete Balm
A targeted treatment for neck & décolleté that’s formulated with Sea Buckthorn oil – known for its high content in Fatty Acid Omega-7.
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