Menopause Changes Your Skin
Perimenopause and menopause bring changes in hormone levels. These changes combined with the natural process of aging can have a big impact on the skin. When estrogen levels drop, it’s harder for your skin to stay firm, elastic, and hydrated.
Itchy Skin
You may get itchy skin when you start perimenopause, even if you’ve never had it before. The constant discomfort can make you feel irritable and self-conscious but know that you’re not alone. Let’s navigate this together and help you feel more at ease in your skin.
What causes itchy skin?
During perimenopause, fluctuating estrogen levels result in less natural oil and collagen production. Less oil makes the skin feel drier and less collagen makes the skin feel thinner. And these 2 combined make the skin feel itchy. Itchy skin can be felt on any part of the body.
Caring for itchy skin
Itchy skin during perimenopause and menopause can often be managed with a few lifestyle changes.
Lifestyle
- Avoid very hot showers and baths because they can dry out the skin.
- Stay hydrated to help keep the skin moisturized and reduce the itching sensation.
- Natural moisturizers like aloe vera gel and coconut oil are well known for their skin-soothing properties.
Products for Itchy Skin
- Switch to mild cleansers and soaps that don’t have harsh chemicals or fragrances.
- Moisturizers with ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid help moisturize skin.
- Colloidal oatmeal (oatmeal in a fine powder form) can be added to a bath to help soften and soothe skin.
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"During menopause, the skin often becomes dry and itchy due to hormonal changes that decrease the skin's ability to hold moisture. This dryness can lead to a sensation of tightness and persistent itching, particularly on the face and body."
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AveenoSHOP NOWSkin Relief Body Wash, Fragrance FreeSkin relief body wash leaves itchy, dry skin soothed & feeling moisturized all day.
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“I've experienced a number of symptoms — the itchy dry skin, the aching of the joints, the anxiety, as well as the hot flashes”
Dry Skin
If you hate the feeling of dry skin and love some good body lotion, you’re in the right place. While moisturizing skin from the outside is one way to combat dry skin due to menopause, there’s a lot more to it.
What causes dry skin?
The hormone estrogen helps make collagen and elastin, which help keep the skin firm and supple. Collagen, specifically, is a protein that helps maintain skin volume and moisture. As estrogen levels decrease, the body makes less collagen. With less collagen, the skin can’t retain as much moisture. Your skin can also become thinner and unable to hold as much moisture, leading to drier skin.
Estrogen and progesterone affect glands that make a type of oil called sebum. Sebum keeps skin moist. When hormone levels go down, the body makes less sebum and the skin can't retain moisture as well, making the skin dry.
CARING FOR DRY SKIN
Dry skin can be frustrating, but it’s something that can be managed with the right knowledge, routines, and nutrition.
Lifestyle
- Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily that has an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Drink water throughout the day. Water is essential for skin health.
- Avoid hot showers. Hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to more dryness.
- Omega-3 fatty acids support skin health. Add foods rich in these fatty acids, like salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts.
- Talk to a board-certified dermatologist. They can provide specialized treatments and recommendations tailored to your specific skin concerns.
Products for Dry Skin
- Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser and apply moisturizer daily.
- Look for products with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin to help lock in moisture.
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"Estrogen helps maintain the skin's barrier and hydration levels. With less estrogen, the skin produces less sebum, making it drier and less able to retain moisture."
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VersalieSHOP NOWMAX THE MOISTURE™ Hydrating Facial MoisturizerClinically tested to instantly restore moisture in dry skin for a smooth, supple complexion.
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HUM NutritionSHOP NOWCollagen Love Skin SupplementIncludes hyaluronic acid to boost moisture retention for soft, glowing skin
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"I have to accept the fact that I'm getting older, my skin is changing, my skin is drier, I'm starting to get wrinkles. I still think that I'm 30, not 53."
Occasional Breakouts
Acne isn’t just a teenage problem. Turns out it can make a comeback during perimenopause and postmenopause. It's common to battle breakouts during this phase of life.
What causes menopause acne?
Hormones are the main cause of breakouts. During perimenopause, estrogen levels fluctuate, while testosterone levels slowly decrease. Sometimes, there can be more testosterone than estrogen.
When this happens, the skin makes more sebum, which can cause acne. Sebum is an oil that keeps the skin moisturized, but too much can clog pores and cause acne.
Caring for menopause breakouts
Hormone changes can last for years, so maintenance treatment is important for ongoing menopause acne. Acne treatment depends on severity, past response to treatments, skin tone, and skin type (dry, sensitive, oily, combination).
Lifestyle
- Every day, use non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Don’t pop or pick at acne. This can increase scarring, inflammation, and infection.
- Reducing dairy consumption can help some people reduce acne.
- Improve sleep and decrease stress. An increase in stress hormones can directly influence acne.
- Focus on healthy eating, especially eating fewer foods that spike insulin, which leads to inflammation that can trigger acne
Products
- Wash daily with mild soap, syndet, or benzoyl peroxide face washes.
- Moisturize before adding other products. Look for moisturizers with any of the following: dimethicone, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or sodium pyrrolidone carboxylic acid.
- Look for topical products that contain retinols, benzoyl peroxide, or azelaic acid.
- Consider adding a supplement to give a boost to your skincare routine.
There are procedures and medications that healthcare professionals can recommend to treat menopausal acne. Talk to your healthcare provider to see what might be right for you.
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"Hormone changes during menopause can affect the skin and result in symptoms like menopause acne, dry skin, and itchy skin.”
Wrinkles & Loose Skin
Wrinkles and loose skin can be a bit of a bummer, but they don’t define your menopause experience. We understand the frustration and desire to look and feel your best. Learn how to manage your menopause skin changes with confidence.
What causes wrinkles & loose skin?
As we age, our bodies make less collagen and elastin, especially during menopause when estrogen levels decrease. This means we're more likely to get wrinkles and fine lines, especially around the eyes, mouth, and forehead. Reduced skin elasticity also makes these wrinkles more noticeable.
Skin gets loose because we lose fat, collagen, and elastin. As we age, we lose subcutaneous fat — the fat that gives our skin volume and support. Our skin also becomes less firm because we have less collagen and elastin. All this makes our skin start to fall. Gravity makes it even worse.
CARING FOR wrinkles & loose skin
Let's take a look at some tips to help you care for your skin during menopause.
LIFESTYLE
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to help protect your skin.
- Eat a balanced diet full of a variety of fruits and vegetables to support your skin’s health.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol because they can cause premature skin aging.
- Stay well hydrated to maintain skin moisture and elasticity.
PRODUCTS
- Moisturize using products with hyaluronic acid or glycerin. They help keep the skin healthy and supple.
- Consider products containing retinols or peptides. These can help improve skin texture and collagen production & reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
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"Vitamins C and E help skin health by making more collagen and protecting the skin from damage. This helps to reduce visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and fine lines."
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VersalieSHOP NOWCUE THE COLLAGEN™ Firming Face & Neck SerumFirming serum that visibly lifts, firms, and rejuvenates mature skin
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"Everyone always told me I don't look my age, but then suddenly, my skin started to sag, wrinkles."
Dark Spots / Hyperpigmentation
Dark spots, also known as hyperpigmentation, age spots, or melasma, are common during menopause and can make you feel self-conscious. Understanding their causes and how to care for your skin can help you feel your best.
What causes dark spots / hyperpigmentation?
They happen when your body produces extra melanin — the pigment that’s responsible for skin, hair, and eye color. Estrogen helps control melanin production. As estrogen levels decrease, more melanin is produced. This can change how much pigment gets delivered to your skin.
Sun exposure, slower skin cell turnover, and genetics can also cause dark spots. As estrogen levels drop, skin becomes thinner and less able to retain moisture, making it more vulnerable to UV damage.
Genetics also impact skin’s response to hormone changes and aging. Your skin color and any family history of age spots or melasma may increase your risk of hyperpigmentation.
CARING FOR dark spots / hyperpigmentation
Lifestyle
- Regardless of your skin tone, sun protection can help you manage and prevent hyperpigmentation.
- Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Foods like berries, leafy greens, and citrus fruits are packed with nutrients to help combat skin damage.
- Drink water throughout the day to help keep skin hydrated and improve its overall appearance.
- Manage stress. Chronic stress produces a hormone (ACTH) that can trigger too much melanin in your skin.
Products
- Products with antioxidants can help improve skin texture and reduce hyperpigmentation. They work by evening out skin tone and reducing inflammation.
- Products with retinol can help stimulate the production of collagen and create smoother skin texture. Retinol is a form of Vitamin A.
- Products with Vitamin C help lighten darks spots on the skin by slowing down melanin production.
Consult with a dermatologist or licensed aesthetician about other options like chemical peels, laser therapy, or microdermabrasion.
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VersalieSHOP NOWNOURISH ALL NIGHT™ Regenerating Facial Night CreamHelps reduce the appearance of fine lines and pesky dark spots
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"I developed melasma — I had no idea what it was. It turned out, I learned, to be caused by hormones."
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NeutrogenaSHOP NOWRapid Wrinkle Repair® SerumTargets the look of deep wrinkles & stubborn dark spots
Learn More
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Dry SkinItchy SkinHyperpigmentation