Guide to menopause skincare

What is the menopause?

The NHS define the menopause as the time (usually between the ages of 45 and 55) when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels.

During the menopause, the fluctuation of certain hormones can affect many aspects of life, including mental health, sleep, sex, and skin. However, people’s experience of the menopause can vary drastically, with some experiencing a range of symptoms and some just a few.

For more information on what to expect during the menopause, check out our article: Managing Menopause: Symptoms and Treatments.

How does the menopause affect the skin?

Oestrogen is one of the hormones that declines during the menopause and affects the skin’s ability to retain ceramides, fatty acids, and water, which can result in changes to skin quality, texture, health, and appearance. Here are some of the most common skincare changes that can occur during the menopause:

Increased dryness

Oestrogen plays a vital role in helping the skin to produce ceramides, naturally occurring hyaluronic acid and sebum (basically everything that keeps your skin feeling smooth and supple). So when your oestrogen levels start to decline, your skin isn’t able to retain moisture as effectively, and so your skin may feel dry, tight and appear duller.

Loss of strength and elasticity

Reduced production of collagen and elastin are other markers of the menopause – but what does this mean for your complexion? Well, because collagen is a protein that strengthens the skin and elastin gives the skin its stretchiness, menopausal skin will become weaker and less flexible than before. As a result, your skin is likely to sag in areas such as the jaw, chin, and neck. Also, visible signs of ageing (such as fine lines and wrinkles) may appear at a faster rate.

Increased sensitivity

Falling oestrogen levels can contribute to the thinning of the skin, making it easier for the skin barrier to become damaged. This increased sensitivity means that your skin is more likely to become irritated and affected by inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea.

Acne

You might have thought you left acne behind in your teens, but sometimes, spot-prone skin can rear its head again in later life. Menopausal acne has been linked to the increase of oil production due to androgens (the male sex hormones) increasing.

• Avoid heavily fragranced skincare products as they can aggravate sensitive skin.
• Wash your face with lukewarm water using a creamy, nonfoaming cleanser. If you’re struggling with adult acne, cleansers formulated with salicylic acid could help to unclog your pores and reduce breakouts.
• Moisturise once in the morning and once before bed. If you’re looking for the best lotion for menopausal dry skin, opt for moisturisers formulated with collagen, peptides, fatty acids and hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and help it retain moisture.
• Avoid taking prolonged hot showers, as this can dry out the skin.

• Wear a broad-spectrum SPF (factor 30+) every day to protect against sun damage. If you are struggling with acne, ensure that your SPF is non-comedogenic.
• Hydrate the skin during the day with a facial mist (also serves as a hot flash relief/menopause self-care moment!).
• Remove makeup at the end of the day to remove all dirt and impurities and reduce the chance of breakouts.
• Experiment with menopause face creams or serums formulated with retinol, as they could help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, retinol can be potent and take a while for the skin to get used to, so always read the packaging for instructions.