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They say life starts at 40. So why can’t good skin? Let's talk menopause skin changes and how you can adapt your self-care routine
Summary
1Why does menopause affect skin?
Arguably the main reason why menopause affects skin is due to the drop in oestrogen levels…
2Age spots
If you’ve spent a fair amount of time out in the sun, it’s likely that you may have some age spots…
3Itchy and dry skin
A common change during menopause because your skin holds less water as you age (thanks to a reduction in oestrogen)...
Going through the transition into menopause, known as perimenopause, doesn’t mean your skin still isn’t beautiful, it just might be different from when you were in your 20s. In perimenopause, the collagen in your skin can decline by approximately 30% in the first five years.1
All isn’t lost though… From key changes in your skin to watch out for and the ingredients you’ll soon be calling your best friends, we’ve got what you need to know about your skin during menopause.
Why does menopause affect skin?
Arguably the main reason why menopause affects skin is due to the drop in oestrogen levels.1 Along with the changes in hormones, this drop can make it harder for your body to produce collagen, which is what keeps your skin looking youthful. It’s a natural part of aging – after 30 women (and men) generally produce less collagen due to stress, UV and toxins.
6 key menopause skin changes and how to help
Is your skin starting to feel drier than usual? Or are you starting to break out like a teenager? Changes in skin can be for a number of reasons, so to help you identify the ones associated with menopause, we’ve pulled out some of the most common ones below.
1. Age spots
If you’ve spent a fair amount of time out in the sun, it’s likely that you may have some age spots (or sunspots). These often appear during and after menopause.2
Sunspots are flat, brown marks that can show up on your face, décolletage and arms.
What you can do: avoid tanning and wear a high factor SPF – even in the winter – as this will help prevent any further damage.2
2. Itchy and dry skin
A common change during menopause because your skin holds less water as you age (thanks to a reduction in oestrogen), leaving you with drier skin than before.3
This can also be combined with itchy skin that may appear slightly scaly too.
What you can do: try to get into the habit of moisturising as soon as you’ve got out of the shower. This is when your pores are still open and can absorb the moisturiser better.
Moisturising your skin twice a day is a good bet if you’re going through the menopause – make sure to tackle your whole body though, not just your face. Opt for a lightweight option for daytime and something a little more heavy-duty in the evening.
The dryness isn’t always just on your skin, the menopause can also cause vaginal dryness and make sex painful. It’s another common symptom but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your sex life. Lube anyone?
3. Facial hair
The shift in ratio of oestrogen to testosterone can cause wiry hairs to grow on your upper lip, chin, jawline and cheeks.2
What you can do: if you’re not quite ready to embrace it, you can try laser hair removal, waxing or even speaking to your GP about this side effect.
4. Slack skin
You might start noticing your skin isn’t as firm as it once was, which is likely down to the drop in collagen. We discuss the benefits of collagen in a round-up of our favourite menopause products.
What you can do: start early! If you’re reading this in perimenopause, then start taking collagen supplements yesterday. You’ll never be able to reverse signs of ageing, but emerging evidence suggests you might help prevent any further wrinkles.4
You can also try adding retinol to your skincare to help improve and prevent fine lines.5
Some beauty tips that aren’t scientifically proven but won’t hurt your skincare routine include:
- sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase6 – this can help your skin retain more moisture as the fabric is less likely to absorb your skincare
- be gentle around your eyes – these are the most sensitive area to wrinkles, so proceed with caution and wear sunglasses to stop frowning
- drink plenty of water – if you’ve ever noticed your fine lines more when you’re dehydrated, this could be why
5. Spots
You may feel like you’re going through a second puberty during menopause, as you might have more acne flare-ups than usual.
This is usually a result of changes in the pH level of the skin combined with the fluctuations in hormones, which can cause breakouts.7
What you can do: firstly, make sure you’re not picking or touching your face excessively.
Second, look out for salicylic acid or niacinamide in skincare products. Salicylic acid works by getting into the hair follicle and oil gland to help dissolve the dead skin cells, oil and other debris that cause spots.8 Niacinamide helps to reduce the swelling and redness that come with spots.9
6. Slow wound healing and bruising
One of the last changes you may start to notice is that your wounds take longer to heal and you bruise more. Again, a significant shift in your hormone levels is the culprit,2 making your skin more fragile.
What you can do: we suggest speaking to your GP on this one to discuss taking HRT to support any lost oestrogen levels.2 Plus, it’s always worth looking at ruling anything else out.
The final say
As you can see, everyone’s skin is different and ever changing, so what might work for you might not be the best recommendation for your friend. It of course all depends on what your skin is going through. For example, if you’ve developed acne you might look to include niacinamide into your routine but if you’re spot free and have noticed dry skin instead, then you’ll want an effective moisturiser.
We think it’s important to highlight women’s experiences of menopause too, to help you feel less alone. And remember, if your menopause signs are difficult to handle, or you’d like help exploring your options, speak to your GP for advice.
The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
1. Bravo B, Penedo L, Carvalho R, Dal Vesco C, Calomeni M, Gapanowicz D, et al. Dermatological Changes during Menopause and HRT: What to Expect? Cosmetics [Internet]. 2024 Feb 1;11(1):9. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/11/1/9
2. Menopause and Skin Changes: Dryness, Acne, and More [Internet]. www.breastcancer.org. Available from: https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment-side-effects/menopause/skin-changes
3. Lephart ED, Naftolin F. Menopause and the Skin: Old Favorites and New Innovations in Cosmeceuticals for Estrogen-Deficient Skin. Dermatology and Therapy [Internet]. 2020 Nov 26;11(1):53–69. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7859014/
4. Al-Atif H. Collagen Supplements for Aging and Wrinkles: a Paradigm Shift in the Field of Dermatology and Cosmetics. Dermatology Practical & Conceptual [Internet]. 2022 Feb 2;12(1):e2022018. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8824545/
5. Mukherjee S, Date A, Patravale V, Korting HC, Roeder A, Weindl G. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2006 Dec;1(4):327–48.
6. Benefits of a Silk Pillowcase [Internet]. Sleep Foundation. 2023. Available from: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-bedding/silk-pillowcase-benefits#:~:text=Silk%20absorbs%20less%20moisture%20than
7. Khunger N, Mehrotra K. Menopausal Acne – Challenges And Solutions. International Journal of Women’s Health. 2019 Oct;Volume 11:555–67.
8. BETTOLI V, MICALI G, MONFRECOLA G, VERALDI S. Effectiveness of a combination of salicylic acid-based products for the treatment of mild comedonal-papular acne: a multicenter prospective observational study. Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia. 2021 Feb;155(6).
9. Walocko FM, Eber AE, Keri JE, AL-Harbi MA, Nouri K. The role of nicotinamide in acne treatment. Dermatologic Therapy. 2017 Feb 21;30(5):e12481.
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