Your guide to caring for your skin during menopause
The menopause; for some it’s utter hell, whilst others sail through it. But regardless of your other symptoms, you can be pretty sure that there will be changes going on in your skin.
Whether you’re facing dryness, wrinkles, acne, or loss of skin elasticity, menopause and perimenopause can dramatically affect the health and appearance of your skin. If you’re in your 40s or 50s, this guide will help you understand what happens to your skin during menopause and how to care for it.
What Happens to Your Skin in Menopause?
During menopause, your hormone levels – particularly oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone – decrease significantly. This hormonal shift can lead to a number of skin issues, including:
- Loss of collagen: In the first five years after menopause, collagen levels drop by almost 30%, leading to thinner skin and more wrinkles.
- Dryness: Decreased oestrogen levels can cause a reduction in hyaluronic acid, leaving skin dry and less hydrated.
- Sagging and loss of elasticity: As supportive fat pads in the face shrink, you may notice sagging skin around the jawline and neck.
- Acne and sensitivity: As oestrogen levels fall, androgen levels become proportionately more dominant, which can drive oil gland activity, leading to acne. Hormonal changes can also lead to skin sensitivity
- Pigmentation: You might also experience age spots and other sun damage as your skin becomes more prone to UV exposure.
- Growths such as skin tags: Decreasing oestrogen levels can also make you more prone to skin tags
- Hair thinning: The change in hormone levels can affect hair follicles and you may also notice more hair on your face and less on your scalp.
How to Care for Menopausal Skin
The good news? There are treatments available to help you manage and improve your skin’s appearance during and after menopause.
Hydration is Key
Low oestrogen leads to decreased moisture levels. Look for moisturisers that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and niacinamide. Products like SkinBetter Science Trio Luxe Moisturiser can help replenish your skin and improve radiance. Injectable treatments like skin boosters – including Profhilo® and PhilArt Next – can deeply hydrate and rejuvenate menopausal skin by boosting collagen and hyaluronic acid levels.
Combat Loss of Elasticity and Wrinkles
As collagen production slows, the lower face becomes prone to sagging. Consider adding Vitamin C serums, peptides, and retinoids to your skincare routine to stimulate collagen production. I recommend products from brands like Obagi, ZO Skin Health, and SkinBetter Science. In-clinic treatments such as Profhilo®, microneedling, and dermal fillers can also help restore volume and elasticity, leaving your skin firmer and more youthful.
Manage Acne and Sensitivity
Hormonal changes may cause adult acne, especially around the chin and jawline. Gentle acne treatments with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can help without irritating your skin. For those with rosacea or heightened skin sensitivity, avoid harsh exfoliants and opt for gentle cleansers like ZO’s Gentle Cleanser. In-clinic treatments like polynucleotides can also help reduce redness and inflammation.
Prevent Age Spots and Sun Damage
Menopausal skin is more prone to hyperpigmentation. As we age, we experience reduced blood flow, leading to less oxygen and nutrients delivered to the epidermal layers. This causes skin surface thinning and an increased loss of trans-epidermal water. Thinning skin can be more prone to sun damage.
Using a broad-spectrum SPF daily (SPF 30 or higher) is crucial to prevent further sun damage. Sunscreens like Revision Intellishade SPF 45 and SunBetter Tone Smart SPF 50 are excellent choices. Pair sunscreen with a Vitamin C serum to brighten skin and reduce pigmentation. Treatments like microneedling can help to fade age spots and improve skin texture.
Growths such as skin tags and benign keratoses
The hormonal upheaval that characterises perimenopause and menopause is a key factor in the development of skin tags. Oestrogen plays a significant role in maintaining the structure and resilience of our skin. As its levels fluctuate and eventually decline, our skin loses elasticity and is more prone to various changes, including the formation of skin tags.
Ageing, genetic predisposition, friction from clothing, and weight gain are also contributing factors. With increasing age, we also see more unwanted benign keratosis. If skin tags or keratoses are bothersome, there are professional removal options such as CryoPen.
Address Hair Thinning
Hair loss is a common concern during menopause. When it comes to hair loss, the earlier you start treating it the better your results.
Polynucleotides are one of the most innovative and exciting new treatments on the market. Thanks to their biostimulatory properties, they are able to regenerate your hair follicles to stimulate hair growth after just a few treatments. It stimulates the production of fresh collagen, rejuvenating the hair follicles responsible for healthy hair growth.
Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
As well as providing many general-health benefits for your heart, your bones and joints, and relieving menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats and heart palpitations, and keeping internal mucous membranes in your vagina and in your mouth lubricated and restoring your mood and self-esteem, hormone replacement therapy can work miracles for the skin by restoring the oestrogen supply. Here’s what it will do:
- Slow down the dramatic drop-off in collagen and elastin levels, so your skin stays firmer, and collagen stimulating tweakments and skincare will have more effect (because they’ve got more active fibroblasts to work on, and to stimulate into action).
- Maintain sebum levels, which helps keep your skin barrier healthy and in good nick.
- Help maintain your natural levels of hyaluronic acid which holds onto moisture in your skin – so your skin stays better hydrated with plumped up skin cells.
Healthy Lifestyle Choices for Better Skin
And finally, don’t forget lifestyle. It’s a great time to ensure that exercise is a routine part of your week. Resistance training will improve your skeletal muscle mass which in turn improves longevity, helps to prevent osteoporosis and avoid frailty later in life. Exercise not only prevents disease, but boosts mental health, cognitive function and wellbeing. Important nutrients include vitamin D, protein, calcium and B vitamins, which you can get from a combination of supplements and foods.
Foods to feast on include salmon, which is high in protein and a great source of omega 3s and fatty acids. Legumes, such as lima beans, chickpeas and kidney beans, as well as nuts can help support overall health. Turmeric is powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and has been shown to help maintain a healthy heart and joints. Super fruits such as blueberries, avocado, cherries and kiwi help strengthen cognitive function and aid digestion.
Consider including phytoestrogens in your diet. These are foods that can mimic the role of oestrogen in the body, levels of which decline during menopause. Consider adding legumes, beans, flaxseed and fermented organic soy into your diet to help combat symptoms such as hot flushes.
Take Charge of Your Skin During Menopause
Menopause doesn’t have to mean losing your youthful glow. By staying proactive and investing in the right skincare and treatments, you can keep your skin looking vibrant and healthy. If you’d like to discuss how I can help with personalised skincare, book a consultation at Dr Hazel Skin Solutions today. Together, we’ll create a plan tailored to your skin’s unique needs.
