What Happens to Our Skin During Menopause?

Menopause is a natural stage in life, but the hormonal changes that come with it can feel like a bit of a curveball for your skin. Many women notice changes such as dryness, fine lines, dullness, and uneven tone. If you’ve been feeling like your skin isn’t quite the same as it used to be, don’t worry – you’re not alone, and with the right approach, you can keep your skin looking and feeling healthy, radiant and comfortable.

In this blog, we’ll explore the changes that occur during menopause, why they happen, and how to adapt your skincare routine to support your skin through this new phase.

How Menopause Affects Your Skin

Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45–55 and marks the end of your menstrual cycles. During this time, your body experiences a drop in estrogen levels. Estrogen plays a key role in skin health, influencing hydration, elasticity, and overall appearance.

Here’s what commonly happens to the skin during menopause:

1. Loss of Firmness and Elasticity

Estrogen helps maintain collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm and plump. As levels drop, you may notice skin starting to feel looser, with more pronounced sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles.

2. Dryness and Sensitivity

Lower estrogen can also reduce the skin’s ability to retain moisture. This can lead to dryness, flakiness, and sensitivity, especially around the cheeks, eyes, and neck.

3. Changes in Tone and Texture

Menopausal skin can become duller and uneven in tone. Sun damage, hormonal fluctuations, and slower cell turnover can make pigmentation, redness, or blotchiness more noticeable.

4. Breakouts Can Persist

While many women expect acne to disappear after 40, hormonal changes during menopause can trigger adult breakouts, often around the jawline and chin.

5. Thinning Skin

The outer layer of your skin (epidermis) may thin over time, making it more fragile and prone to irritation.

Building an Ideal Skincare Routine for Menopausal Skin

The key to menopausal skin care is balance – you want to hydrate, protect, and support skin renewal without overwhelming the skin. Below is a guide to both AM and PM routines tailored for your changing skin.

AM Routine

1. Gentle Cleanse
Start your morning routine with a mild, hydrating cleanser that removes impurities without stripping your skin of essential oils. Avoid harsh foaming cleansers that can leave menopausal skin feeling tight or dry.

2. Hydrating Serum
Hydration is crucial. Choose a serum with hyaluronic acid to help skin feel plump and smooth. If dullness is a concern, a vitamin C serum can brighten the complexion and support a more even-looking skin tone.

3. Broad Spectrum SPF
Sun protection is non-negotiable. UVA and UVB rays can accelerate signs of aging, especially when estrogen levels drop. A lightweight, broad-spectrum SPF helps protect your skin while maintaining hydration and comfort.

PM Routine

1. Gentle Cleanse + Tone
Remove makeup and impurities gently in the evening. A soothing toner can help balance pH and prep your skin for treatment serums.

2. Targeted Serum

Retinol or Bakuchiol: These ingredients support cell turnover, improve the appearance of fine lines, and maintain firmness. Bakuchiol is a gentler alternative to Retinol, ideal if your skin is sensitive.
Niacinamide: Supports the skin’s natural barrier, helps even out tone, and reduces redness or blotchiness.

3. Facial Oil
A nourishing facial oil helps reinforce the skin barrier, lock in moisture, and soothe dryness. 

Adapting Your Routine as Your Skin Changes

Menopausal skin is dynamic, and what works today might need adjustment in a few months. A few key tips:

Keep your core routine consistent: Gentle cleansing, hydration, and protection should remain the foundation. Consistency helps maintain a strong skin barrier, especially if your skin is more fragile or reactive.

Introduce targeted products one at a time: Swap in serums or treatments based on specific concerns, such as pigmentation, dryness, or fine lines. This allows you to track what works without overwhelming your skin.

Listen to your skin: If you notice increased sensitivity, redness, or dryness, scale back active ingredients and focus on barrier support.

Can LED Light Therapy Help Menopausal Skin?

Yes! LED Light Therapy is a fantastic non-invasive tool for supporting skin during menopause. Different wavelengths can target specific concerns:

Red Light: Stimulates collagen production, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve firmness.
Blue Light: Targets breakouts and blemishes, ideal if adult acne flares up.
Yellow Light: Brightens the complexion and supports a more even-looking tone.
Near Infrared Light: Helps improve skin recovery, supports hydration, and enhances overall skin health.

Using LED therapy a few times a week can complement your topical skincare routine, helping your skin look revitalised and radiant.

Extra Tips for Menopausal Skin

Here are some additional steps that can help your skin thrive during menopause:

1. Hydrate From Within
Drink plenty of water and include omega-3 rich foods in your diet to support hydration and elasticity.

2. Avoid Over-Exfoliating
Menopausal skin is more delicate. Limit physical exfoliants and avoid overly harsh chemical treatments that can compromise your skin barrier.

3. Sleep and Stress Management
Sleep is when your skin repairs itself, and stress can exacerbate hormonal changes. Aim for restorative sleep and consider meditation or gentle movement to support overall wellbeing.

4. Consider Supplements Carefully
Certain supplements, like collagen peptides or vitamin C, may support skin health. Consult a healthcare professional before adding anything new.

5. Patience and Realistic Expectations
Menopause is a natural transition. While products and treatments can make a noticeable difference, results take time. Celebrate small improvements and focus on maintaining skin comfort and health.

Menopause-Friendly Product Recommendations

To help make these routines simple, here are a few product ideas (all suitable for menopausal skin):

Gentle Cleanser: A creamy, non-foaming cleanser that leaves skin soft and hydrated.
Hydrating Serum: Hyaluronic acid-based serum for plumping and moisture retention.
Vitamin C Serum: For a radiant, brighter complexion.
Niacinamide Serum: Supports barrier health and evens skin tone.
Retinol or Bakuchiol Serum: Promotes cell renewal and helps reduce fine lines.
Prickly Pear Facial Oil: Nourishing oils, rich in fatty acids, to lock in moisture.
Broad Spectrum SPF:*Lightweight but effective sun protection to prevent further signs of aging.
LED Mask: Incorporate sessions 2–3 times per week for firming, brightening, and acne support.

Common Questions About Menopausal Skin

Q: Will my skin ever feel like it did before menopause?
A: Hormonal changes are permanent, so skin will evolve. But with a consistent routine, you can maintain hydration, comfort, and a healthy, radiant appearance.

Q: Can I use retinol if I have sensitive menopausal skin?
A: Yes, but start slowly. Use every few nights, monitor tolerance, and consider Bakuchiol as a gentler alternative.

Q: How can I manage hot flushes affecting my skin?
A: Keep skin cool and hydrated. Blot sweat gently, use lightweight serums, and refresh with hydrating mists if needed.

Q: Can lifestyle changes make a difference?
A: Absolutely. Balanced nutrition, stress management, good sleep, and avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol all support skin health during menopause.

Menopause is a natural part of life, but that doesn’t mean your skin has to suffer. By understanding the changes, sticking to a gentle yet effective routine, and adding targeted treatments where needed, you can maintain healthy, radiant skin well into your 50s, 60s, and beyond.

Consistency is your best friend, along with hydration, protection, and a little bit of self-care. And don’t forget, your skin isn’t failing you, it’s just changing, and with the right support, it can thrive in this new chapter.