Dealing with dry skin or acne during menopause? Here’s why, and how to cope.
Menopause is a healthy and normal part of aging, yet sometimes its symptoms can feel anything but. If you’re experiencing skin changes during menopause, you’re not alone—as many as 64% of women who attend menopause clinics report skin problems. Understanding what causes these skin changes can help you take control of your health and find the right treatment for you.
Why does your skin change during menopause? Menopause is the 12 months after your last period. This stage of your life is defined by shifting hormone levels, specifically decreased levels of estrogen and progesterone, which can cause a whole slew of symptoms, from hot flashes and brain fog to mood swings and anxiety . If you’re noticing changes in your physical, mental, and emotional state around perimenopause and menopause, that’s completely normal—and to be expected when your hormones are changing!
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Your skin changes during menopause because of the decline in estrogen. Estrogen has been shown to affect your skin in a few different ways:
Skin barrier function: Estrogen can improve skin barrier function , which is the body’s defense against toxins. Keeping skin hydrated: Estrogen helps skin hold onto water and reduce oil.Preventing collagen loss: Estrogen has been shown to increase collagen levels—which hydrates skin, keeps it from sagging, and helps maintain skin elasticity.Ensuring elasticity: Creams or topical estrogen has been shown to increase elasticity of skin, or its ability to remain taught versus loose and wrinkled. Essentially, estrogen has the ability to boost a lot of the elements that make your skin hydrated, wrinkle-free, and smooth. When estrogen decreases—as it naturally does during menopause—you may experience skin changes that make your skin feel more dry, rough, or wrinkled.
Common skin changes during menopause Skin changes during menopause can manifest in a variety of different dermatoses (skin defects), including:
Flushing: sudden reddening, typically of your face, chest, or neckPruritus: feeling itchyHyperhidrosis: more sweating than normalXerosis: dry skinDermatitis : skin inflammationEczema: dry and itchy skin inflammationAcne The most common reported skin changes during menopause are eczematous eruptions , meaning skin reactions of inflamed, dry, and itchy skin.
So, what do these skin conditions look like in practice? Depending on your dermatoses, you might notice:
Dryness and thinning: Reduced collagen production can lead to drier, thinner skin that loses elasticity.Wrinkles and fine lines: As skin becomes less plump, wrinkles and fine lines might be more prominent.Loss of firmness: Less collagen can also lead to sagging skin, especially around the jawline and neck.Increased sensitivity: Your skin might be more sensitive to products and sun exposure.How to treat menopause skin changes If you’re facing bothersome menopause skin changes, you have many different treatment options, whether you’re looking for something natural or more preventative.
Natural remedies Natural remedies for menopause skin changes involve a mix of lifestyle changes like:
Moisturizing : Use a gentle moisturizer daily to replenish the skin. Specifically, look for moisturizers with hyaluronic acid and ceramides.Wearing sunscreen: Sun exposure can accelerate skin aging. Aim to apply sunscreen with SPF of at least 30.Eating healthy fats: Omega-3 fatty acids can help nourish your skin. You can find these naturally in fatty fish, nuts, and seeds.Stay hydrated: Hydrated skin comes from a hydrated body! You need to drink plenty of water throughout the day.Medical interventions Sometimes, lifestyle changes may not be enough to ward off uncomfortable symptoms. That’s OK! You still have options that can help treat menopause skin changes and prevent future ones:
Topical treatments: Certain creams and serums contain retinol, peptides, or antioxidants that can help improve skin texture and reduce wrinkles.Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): For some people, HRT can be an effective way to manage skin changes by replenishing estrogen levels. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits to see if this is right for you. Menopause skin changes: the bottom line Menopause skin changes are a natural part of this stage of life, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to let them rule your life. By understanding why these changes are happening, you can better equip yourself to find the treatment that works for you—and find a healthy glow throughout menopause and beyond.
