How the Menopause Affects Your Skin

From hot flushes to mood swings, there are many symptoms associated with the menopause, with women going through huge mental and physical changes. We spoke to dermatologist Dr Alia Ahmed to find out more about how perimenopause and menopause affect the skin, plus tips on skincare ingredients and daily routine.

Content editor

Sarah Lafarge

How menopause affects your skin

What are the most common skin complaints associated with perimenopause and menopause?
Increased dryness and wrinkling, loss of skin laxity and skin thinning, night sweats and hot flushes that cause sudden reddening.

Why does the menopause accelerate signs of skin ageing?
When women reach menopause, the level of collagen and elastin in the skin reduces, while skin thinning accelerates. This can lead to dryness, itching, wrinkles and a reduction in suppleness, as well as an increase in sensitivity. As the cell turnover slows down, natural moisturising fats from the skin are lost and glands that secrete oil and sweat become smaller, again contributing to dryness.

Skincare ingredients

Which skincare ingredients should you look out for to help menopausal skin?

Peptides are important as they stimulate collagen production and improve cell turnover. Moisturising ingredients are also key; look out for hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Glycerin and niacinamide are also good. It’s worth using a soap substitute, plenty of emollients and don’t forget to moisturise your body, too.
Specialist ranges such as Prai’s MenoGlow are now available to help. Featuring cooling, collagen-boosting products, the range has been designed for the particular needs of menopausal skin, from redness and hot flushes to extreme dryness that can exacerbate fine lines. Also try Bloom and Blossom’s Cool & Calm Menopause Edit, packed with calming ingredients to soothe, cool and hydrate sensitive, hormonal skin.

Menopause skincare routine

What does an optimum daily skincare routine around this age look like?

Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face morning and evening to help combat skin dryness.

Consider building in a chemical exfoliant into your routine for pro-ageing benefits but do this gradually to avoid irritation. I suggest starting with a PHA first as this is the least irritating. A good way to incorporate these ingredients is through a cleanser (so use a chemical exfoliant cleanser a few times a week). Other chemical exfoliants include AHAs (for oily skin) and BHAs (for acne-prone skin).

Antioxidant ingredients have a host of benefits including protection from pollution and pro-ageing effects. I suggest regularly using a product that contains antioxidants, such as a serum, before your sunscreen. Examples of antioxidants are vitamin C, omega 3 fatty acids or cloudberry seed oil.

More skincare tips

Use sunscreen every day

High-factor sunscreen (SPF 30-50) is important at all ages. However, at a time when skin is delicate (and keeping in mind that sun damage is cumulative during your life), it’s now crucial to incorporate sunscreen into your morning regime.

As skin can feel dry when you’re going through the menopause, a moisturiser is helpful to combat dehydration, which can leave skin flaking, feeling tight or irritated. Explore our range of hydrating and replenishing moisturisers to find the perfect one for your skin.

Skin products for menopause

£30

A hot flush-fixing serum that instantly cools

£27

Banish dry skin with a collagen-boosting moisturiser

£32

A rejuvenating sleep mask to soothe your skin

£25

Try this gentle, balancing cleanser