Menopause and your skin: Understanding the changes and how to support your skin through midlife
Menopause and your skin: Understanding the changes and how to support your skin through midlife
October is Menopause Awareness Month, providing an important opportunity to discuss the many changes that women experience during perimenopause and menopause.
As well as symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, changes in mood and disrupted sleep, the effect of menopause on the skin can also be significant, with many women experiencing noticeable changes to their skin health during this new stage of life.
In this blog, award-winning Dr Christine Or, explores the symptoms of menopause on skin health and her advice on skincare, lifestyle tweaks and professional aesthetic treatments to support your skin through midlife to maintain a healthy and radiant glow.
How does menopause affect your skin?
During perimenopause and menopause, levels of oestrogen begin to decline. Oestrogen plays an important role in maintaining skin health, including hydration, collagen and elasticity. As hormone levels change during this new life stage, patients may notice several differences in their skin.
Loss of collagen and firmness
Collagen is one of the key proteins responsible for keeping our skin firm, smooth and supported. As we age, collagen production naturally slows and hormonal changes during menopause can accelerate this process which may lead to:
Fine lines and wrinkles becoming more noticeable
A loss of firmness and elasticity
Skin appearing thinner
Changes in facial contours
Increased skin laxity, particularly around the cheeks, jawline and neck
Dryness and dehydration
Many women notice that their skin becomes significantly drier during menopause. Reduced oestrogen can affect the skin's ability to retain moisture, while changes to natural oil production may also leave the complexion feeling tight, rough or uncomfortable. Dry menopausal skin may also appear duller and make fine lines look more pronounced.
Increased skin sensitivity
If your skin suddenly seems more reactive than usual, menopause could be playing a role. A weakened skin barrier can make the complexion more vulnerable to irritation and sensitivity. This may mean that products which were previously well tolerated may suddenly cause dryness, redness or discomfort.
Changes in skin texture and radiance
As cell turnover slows with age, the skin may begin to look less radiant. You may notice a rougher texture, dullness or an uneven skin tone. Sun exposure accumulated over many years can also become more visible during midlife, contributing to pigmentation and changes in skin texture.
Adult acne and breakouts
Menopause does not always mean dry skin, and some women may in fact experience breakouts or hormonal acne during perimenopause, particularly around the chin and jawline.
How to care for menopausal skin: A simple skincare routine
One of the most important things I advise my patients to do during menopause is to consider their skincare routine. So, rather than using multiple products or harsh active ingredients, focus on supporting the skin barrier while incorporating carefully selected ingredients that address your individual skin concerns.
1. Choose a gentle cleanser
It is important to avoid cleansers that leave your skin feeling tight or stripped. A gentle cleanser can effectively remove makeup, sunscreen and impurities without disrupting the skin's natural protective barrier. If your skin has become more sensitive during menopause this simple change can make a significant difference.
2. Prioritise hydration
Hydration is essential for menopausal skin, so I advise looking for products containing ingredients that help attract and retain moisture, alongside nourishing ingredients that support the skin barrier. A good serum can help the skin feel softer, more comfortable and better protected against environmental stressors.
3. Support your skin barrier
Products containing ceramides and other barrier-supporting ingredients can be particularly beneficial when the skin feels dry or sensitive. A healthy skin barrier helps prevent moisture loss and can make the complexion more resilient and comfortable.
4. Add antioxidants
Antioxidants like Vitamin C can help protect the skin against environmental damage while supporting a brighter and more even complexion. They can be particularly helpful for women concerned about dullness and visible signs of sun damage.
5. Consider retinoids carefully
Retinoids can be highly effective for improving skin texture, fine lines and signs of ageing by encouraging cell turnover and supporting collagen production. However, menopausal skin can be more sensitive so it is important to introduce active ingredients gradually and choose products appropriate for your skin. I advise booking a consultation with an Aesthetic Doctor or skin specialist to discuss which products are right for you.
6. Never skip your daily SPF
Sun protection remains one of the most important steps in any skincare routine, particularly during midlife. Daily broad-spectrum SPF helps protect against UV damage which contributes to premature skin ageing, pigmentation and collagen breakdown. Even on cloudy days, daily sun protection should be an essential part of your routine.
Supporting your skin through menopause from the inside out
Healthy skin during menopause is also influenced by our diet, sleep habits, exercise and stress levels which can all play a role in our overall health and wellbeing.
Eat a balanced, skin-supporting diet
A healthy and balanced diet can help support your overall wellbeing during this new life stage so try to include in plenty of:
Colourful fruit and vegetables which provide important vitamins and antioxidants
Healthy fats including sources of omega-3 fatty acids
Protein-rich foods which are important for maintaining healthy body tissues
Calcium-rich foods which can help support bone health during and after menopause
Whole grains and fibre-rich foods as part of a balanced diet
Stay hydrated
Drinking enough fluids throughout the day is important for overall health. While drinking more water alone will not erase wrinkles or dramatically change the structure of your skin, maintaining good hydration can help support your general wellbeing so you feel your best.
Prioritise sleep
Sleep can become more difficult during perimenopause and menopause, particularly for women experiencing night sweats or hot flushes. Poor sleep can affect how we feel both physically and emotionally and may leave the skin looking tired and dull. Where possible, try to establish a calming evening routine and create a comfortable sleeping environment.
Keep moving
Regular and gentle exercise offers important benefits for physical and mental wellbeing during midlife. Strength exercise can be valuable for supporting bone health, while regular movement can help with stress management and overall wellbeing. I advise my patients to choose activities they genuinely enjoy as consistency is often more important than finding the "perfect" exercise routine.
Manage stress
Chronic stress can affect both our wellbeing and our skin. Taking time for relaxation, exercise, mindfulness or activities you enjoy can be an important part of caring for yourself during this transition.
Professional aesthetic treatments for menopausal skin
I believe that the best results come from understanding my individual patients and their skin goals rather than simply treating one concern in isolation.
Menopausal skin can experience several changes at once, including dryness, loss of firmness, fine lines and changes in texture. For this reason, a personalised treatment plan can help address your specific concerns while maintaining a natural-looking result.
Combination treatments tend to yield the best results and patients going through menopause may benefit from one or several of the treatments below.
RF Microneedling
RF Microneedling combines microneedling with radiofrequency technology to stimulate the skin's natural regenerative processes. It can be an excellent treatment for patients concerned about changes in skin texture, fine lines, loss of firmness and overall skin quality. By encouraging collagen production, RF Microneedling can help improve the appearance of the skin over time.
Emface
Emface is a non-invasive treatment designed to address facial ageing by working with both the skin and underlying facial structures. For women experiencing changes in facial firmness and definition during midlife, this treatment may be an effective option for supporting a naturally refreshed and lifted appearance without needles or surgery.
Profhilo and skin boosters
As hydration and skin quality become increasingly important during menopause, treatments such as Profhilo and other skin boosters can help improve the appearance of dehydrated or dull skin. These treatments are designed to support hydration and overall skin quality, helping the skin appear smoother, fresher and more radiant.
Chemical peels
A carefully selected chemical peel can help address concerns such as dullness, uneven texture, congestion and pigmentation. One of my favourites is the Obagi Blue Peel Radiance which contains a unique blend of salicylic, glycolic and lactic acids to provide a gentle but effective facial chemical peel, resulting in smoother, tighter, brighter-looking skin after just one treatment.
Medical-grade skincare
Professional treatments can be highly effective, but your results can also be supported by the right skincare routine at home. A personalised medical-grade skincare programme can help address concerns such as dryness, pigmentation, texture and visible signs of ageing while supporting the long-term health of your skin.
Final thought
Menopause Awareness Month is a reminder to prioritise yourself during this natural stage of life. It is important to remember that you don't have to simply accept these changes without support, but instead learn more about your body, prioritise your health and give your skin the care it needs.
Why Choose Dr Christine Medical Aesthetics?
If you are experiencing dryness, sensitivity, loss of firmness or changes in skin texture during menopause, book your consultation with Dr Christine Or to discuss a combination of professional skincare, aesthetic treatments and positive lifestyle habits to help you feel your most confident self.
