Yes, Your Skin Will Change During Menopause—Here's Everything You Should Know

I am firmly against any skincare brand selling products to women in a way that encourages us to buy more. It's for this reason that when beauty brands started marketing certain products towards menopausal women, I felt somewhat uncomfortable. Why can't they just educate women on what they need rather than sell them more? I thought. But as more menopause skincare lines started launching, I saw more conversation about menopause open up. Women were talking openly online about their experience of menopause more than they ever had done before, and it felt momentous.

It's no secret that hormone changes affect our skin in a number of ways, and this is no more apparent than when female bodies experience menopause. With perimenopause typically starting between the ages of 45 and 55 (although, it's important to remember that this is just an average, as menopause can begin far sooner or later in life), bodily changes throughout the perimenopausal and menopausal transitions are absolutely normal (and to be expected)—particularly when it comes to skin. "We know that dryness, dullness, sensitivity, uneven skin tone, lines and wrinkles, and a lack of firmness are all key skin concerns that women experience during the menopause transition. These concerns are due to changes happening within the skin during this time, caused by fluctuating hormones and declining oestrogen levels," explains skincare expert and No7 science credentialing manager Eleanor Bradley.

This drop in oestrogen levels is the main cause for skin changes from the offset of perimenopause (the time at which periods begin to become irregular). "Collagen levels start to decline more quickly as oestrogen levels drop, meaning that skin can start to feel less firm and wrinkles can deepen. The biggest changes are arguably to the top layers of the skin though, including to the skin barrier. Changes here will have a bigger impact on skin’s resilience, radiance and how healthy the skin looks and feels. We know from our scientific research that declining oestrogen levels reduce the amount of lipids in the skin barrier, for example, which play a role in keeping skin supple, nourished and the skin barrier strong," adds Bradley. 

In essence, this means that throughout the menopause transition and beyond, it's likely that skin will become more prone to wrinkles, redness, irritation and, believe it or not, sun sensitivity. Sadly, this means that, chances are, you're going to need to adjust your skincare routine somewhat. Products that once worked might not deliver the same results. Generally speaking, skin will require more hydration, more regimented sun cream application and products to target specific issues that tend to arise. So if you're at a loss with how to care for your skin throughout the menopause transition, keep scrolling for the best products to look for, depending on your concerns.

1. Fine Lines

A drop in plumping collagen during periomenopause and menopause can accelerate the rate at which skin ages, resulting in what may present as a fast onset of wrinkle formation and the deepening of fine lines. The best way to prevent this from happening and treating existing fine lines and wrinkles is through incorporating a retinol into your evening routine. Retinol can help boost the skin's natural collagen production and generally leave skin looking and feeling healthier. The catch? Skin can turn more sensitive throughout menopause, and retinol is infamously irritating, so be sure to start low and slow—look for formulas that contain low percentages, and start by applying once a week, slowly increasing as skin becomes more tolerant.

2. Dryness

Any shift in hormone levels can wreak havoc with the skin's natural hydration levels. The drop in oestrogen that occurs throughout menopause can result in skin producing less of its naturally hydrating oils and therefore turning dry and lacklustre. It is absolutely essential to keep skin hydrated and well moisturised if you want to avoid further upset in the form of irritation, redness, and even menopausal breakouts.

3. Redness and Irritation

As mentioned, a drop in oestrogen production can cause all sorts of issues for the skin barrier. The skin barrier is your skin's natural defence mechanism that works to retain hydration and moisture in the skin, protecting it from external aggressors. When the skin barrier becomes weakened or compromised (as it commonly does throughout menopause) skin will be more susceptible to damage, redness, sensitivity and irritation (hence the importance of the hydrating products above). If you're experiencing any sort of skin sensitivity, look for targeted skin-barrier treatments to tackle your specific problem.

4. Sun Sensitivity

As skin turns more fragile and prone to external aggressors throughout the menopause transition, it is absolutely imperative to remember this makes your skin more susceptible to sun damage. This means it is even more important that usual to keep up with daily sunscreen application throughout menopause—particularly if you want to avoid those accelerated signs of skin ageing and damage we discussed earlier.

Next up, the five "anti-ageing" skincare truths that everyone needs to hear.