Menopause Skincare 101: Caring For Your Skin During Menopause

Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, but it brings significant hormonal shifts that affect various aspects of health—your skin included. As estrogen and progesterone levels decline during menopause, changes like skin thickness, texture, and sensitivity can become much more pronounced. Understanding these changes and implementing a targeted routine with the best menopause skincare products can help manage and minimize the impact on your skin’s health.

Menopause & Your Skin 

Your hormones are essential for maintaining healthy skin. During menopause, your body typically goes through quite a few changes, and some of those changes can show up on your skin. Your body gradually starts producing less estrogen and progesterone, and that can shake things up quite a bit. 

Estrogen, in particular, plays a huge role in keeping your skin happy and healthy. With less of it, your skin thickness can change, and it might feel like your skin just doesn’t feel the same as it used to. While the effects of menopause manifest differently in each person, let’s look at some of the most common menopausal skin changes and how you can care for your skin concerns better during menopause.

Menopausal Changes in Skin & How To Address It

Skin Thickness & Hydration

One of estrogen’s many jobs is helping your body produce hyaluronic acid, which helps keep your skin plump and hydrated. As your body produces less estrogen, you may notice your skin feels thinner, and it may not hold onto moisture like it used to, leading to some dryness and potentially some itchiness, too. 

Here are a few tips to address skin thickness and hydration concerns as a result of menopause:

• Keep your skin well-hydrated - Use moisturizers with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to keep your skin plump and hydrated, especially in the winter. 
• Avoid harsh products - Certain formulations may strip your skin, leading to even more irritation. Use products with gentle formulations instead. 

Fine Lines & Wrinkles

Estrogen also helps your body stimulate collagen production. Collagen firms your skin and retains youthfulness. Your body typically produces less collagen as it produces less estrogen, which can ultimately lead to fine lines and wrinkles.

To keep your skin looking firm and plump through menopause and beyond, here are a few ways you can care for your skin with some powerful anti-aging ingredients:

• Add retinoids to your skincare routine - Retinoids can help stimulate collagen production, so adding these products to your routine can help your body recoup. It’s always best to start with a lower concentration of retinoids and gradually increase as your skin adjusts. 
• Use peptide antioxidant-rich products - Neutralize free radicals and combat aging with antioxidants like Vitamin C and E, or peptide-rich products with ingredients like Argireline.

Age Spots

A decrease in estrogen levels combined with years of sun exposure leaves us more susceptible to developing age spots in menopause. Estrogen helps regulate melanin, which is the pigment responsible for skin color. 

If you’re concerned about hyperpigmentation and age spots, here are a few ways you can tweak your skincare routine to address it:

• Mind your ingredients - Ingredients like hydroquinone, AHAs, or retinoids can help lighten age spots by inhibiting melanin production and promoting skin cell turnover. 
• Protect your skin - Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 daily to protect your skin from any further sun damage. 
• Get screened regularly - Skin cancer can sometimes look like an age spot. See a dermatologist regularly for skin cancer screenings if you have been developing age spots. 

Increased Facial Hair

Changes in hormone levels, particularly the relative increase in androgens, can cause unwanted facial hair during menopause. On top of that, menopause can also exacerbate conditions like PCOS, which can cause changes in facial hair patterns.

Here are a few methods to try when addressing increased facial hair:

• Try different temporary hair removal methods - Shaving, waxing, and threading can help manage facial hair, but these solutions are only temporary. 
• Explore less harsh options - If your skin becomes too thin for traditional hair removal treatments, look into your options for laser hair removal, which is a bit more of a longer-term solution for treating unwanted facial hair. 

Thinning Hair

While you may experience an increase in facial hair during menopause, the hair on your head may go through a bit of a change, too. Estrogen supports hair growth and thickness, and its decline during menopause can lead to thinning hair. 

If you’re concerned about thinning hair caused by menopause, here are a few remedies you can explore to keep your hair healthy throughout menopause: 

• Avoid harsh hair products - Use mild shampoos and conditioners, and make sure both are well-suited for your hair type. Be gentle with your hair styling and try to avoid heat when possible. 
• Try different hair treatments - Try different hair growth serums and products designed to help keep your scalp happy and healthy while stimulating hair growth.

Skin Sensitivity

Estrogen maintains your skin’s barrier function, helping to protect your skin against irritants while retaining moisture. A change in hormone levels may make your skin much more reactive to certain skincare ingredients, fragrances, and more. 

If menopause has caused your skin to be more sensitive than you’re used to, here are a few things you can do to care for your skin:

• Find products with gentle formulas - Use gentle, fragrance-free skincare products formulated for sensitive skin specifically.
• Always patch test - Be sure to patch test new skincare products before using them on your face to check for adverse skin reactions.