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Menopause skincare: Supporting your skin

28/06/20223 min read

Going through menopause? Noticed changes in your skin? Find out what the changes are, why they happen and the best products you can use, in our guide.

If you’re going through the menopause, you may have noticed some changes in your skin. So to help give it the right support, we’ve created a guide to looking after it during this time.

From key changes to the best ingredients to use, we’ve got the full low down in this article.

6 key menopause skin changes

There are a number of skin changes you may experience during menopause...

So to help you identify if they’re caused by menopause, we’ve listed some of the most common ones below:

Age spots

If you’ve spent a fair amount of time out in the sun, it’s likely that you may have some age spots (or sun spots). Not sure what to look out for?

Sun spots appear as flat, brown marks that can show up on your face, décolletage and arms.^2,3

Dry skin

You may also have dry skin during menopause. This is because your skin can hold less water as you age (thanks to a reduction in oestrogen), leaving you with dryer skin than before.⁴

This can also be combined with itchy skin and it may appear slightly scaly too.⁵

Facial hair

Something else you may notice if you’re menopausal is an increase in facial hair. The shift in ratio of oestrogen to testosterone can cause wiry hairs to grow on your upper lip, chin, jawline and cheeks.⁶

Handpicked article: Your Ultimate Guide To Hair Removal

Slack skin

Slack skin, wrinkles and jowls may also become more prominent during menopause – and this is likely down to the drop in collagen.

In fact, experts believe that women lose up to 30% of the collagen in their skin within the first five years of menopause and then it becomes more gradual.⁷

Spots

You may feel like you’re reliving your teenage years during menopause, as you might have more acne flare-ups than usual.

This is usually a result of changes in the pH level of the skin combined with the fluctuations in hormones, which in turn can exacerbate breakouts.⁸

Slow wound healing

And the last change you may start to notice is that your wounds take longer to heal. Again, a significant shift in your hormone levels is to blame for this.⁹

Best skincare for menopausal skin

Wondering what sorts of skincare ingredients to look out for? We’ve got you covered.

Discover our skincare recommendations for people during menopause below:

Avoid soap

If your skin is itchy and dry it might be worth giving soap a miss. This is because they can sometimes strip your natural oils and grease from your skin.¹⁰

Instead, opt for creamy or hydrating cleansers that are less harsh on your skin.

Moisturiser is your friend

Moisturising your skin twice a day is a good bet if you’re going through the menopause – and we don’t just mean the skin on your face.

Moisturise in the morning after cleansing, toning and misting and again right before bed. Also, try to use a lightweight option for daytime and something a little more heavy duty in the evening.¹¹

Try salicylic acid

If you’re trying to ease your menopause spots, another great ingredient to try is salicylic acid.

This works by getting into the hair follicle and oil gland then dissolving the dead skin cells, oil and other debris that cause spots.¹²

Introduce retinol into your routine

If you’re interested in skincare, you’ve probably heard of retinol. A type of vitamin A, retinol works by interacting with an enzyme which creates something called transretinoic acid.

This in turn binds roughly 52-57 types of DNA that help to repair skin and stimulate collagen production.¹³

Niacinamide

If you’re prone to menopause pimples, another ingredient that may work well for you is niacinamide. This works by reducing the swelling and redness that accompany spots.

But it also is supposed to help regulate the amount of oil in the skin which can cause pimples, as well as helping to even skin tone.¹⁴

Top tips for looking after your menopausal skin

Avoid hot showers

To help keep your skin at its best, try to stick to warm showers rather than hot showers and baths.

This is because the high temperatures can further strip your skin of moisture – and it may also help to keep unwanted hot flushes at bay.

Stay hydrated

We all know that drinking lots of water can benefit our skin, right?

Well, it’s no different during menopause. In fact, it may even be more important as your skin retains less moisture when you’re menopausal.

Consider taking supplements

If you feel like your skin needs a little extra assistance, it might be time to consider taking some supplements.

For example, if you’re experiencing dry skin because of menopause, choose supplements that are supposed to help with that. Potential menopause dry skin supplements include:

Vitamin D¹⁵
Collagen for menopause¹⁶
Probiotics¹⁷
Hyaluronic acid¹⁸
Vitamin E¹⁹
Omega-3²⁰

Pay attention to your diet

As well as taking supplements, ensuring you’re eating good quality food with lots of nutrients is just as (if not more) important. Check out our article on the best and worst foods for menopause for further help.

The final say

We hope you’re feeling a bit more informed on how to support your skin changes during the menopause.

But for more advice that is tailored directly to you, book an appointment with one of our expert advisors online today.

Why we ALL need to know more about the menopause

In this episode the conversation gets feisty as Mariella and Alice express their frustration at the general lack of knowledge about the menopause. Their discussion with Dr Gemma Newman includes:

The general lack of knowledge about menopause.
Understanding perimenopause and menopause and alleviating symptoms.
How the menopause is the start of an exciting new life stage.

Last updated: 28 June 2022

The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.