Best Skin Care for Menopausal Skin

As menopause introduces a new chapter of life, it can also trigger complex changes to skin that may throw you for a loop. These may include:

• Visible loss of elasticity
• Crepey texture
• Dullness or discolourations
• Skin that has become more sensitive
• Increased breakouts
• Skin that feels drier or dehydrated

Thankfully, research has come a long way and now provides real insights as to how to you can counteract these common skin challenges. Whether you’re looking for preventive measures or ways to address the menopausal skin issues you’re experiencing now, here’s the rundown of what you need to know and what you can do.

Menopause and Skin Elasticity

Many of the changes your skin will go through during menopause can be attributed to estrogen loss (1). This rapid decline affects skin’s elasticity, texture, density, resilience, hydration, and suppleness—all of which ultimately lead to crepe-textured skin that loses its “bounce” (2). Shockingly, collagen can decrease as much as 30% in the first few years of menopause, causing skin to become thinner, weaker, and more prone to sensitivity (3).

Phytoestrogens are particularly helpful skin care ingredients during menopause and its early stage, known as perimenopause. Research shows they safely bind with beta receptors in skin’s surface layers to support the areas that estrogen loss has affected in a way that other cosmetic ingredients cannot, and positively affect the production of collagen and elasticity (4).

Phytoestrogens to look for in skin care include (5, 6, 7, 8, 9):

• Genistein
• Daidzein
• Equol
• Black cohosh
• Flax seed oil
• Pomegranate
• Bakuchiol
• Resveratrol

Targeted Skin Care for Menopausal Skin Changes

When it comes to other targeted menopausal skin concerns, the key is to pay attention to your skin’s specific needs. The old school, one-size-fits-all approach of rich, heavy creams for “mature skin” doesn’t suit everyone, and it neglects to account for the complex variety of concerns during this phase of life.

Adjust your routine based on the exact concerns you have and consult with a board-certified dermatologist if needed. Here are some skin care tweaks to consider:

• If your skin has become drier, switch to more hydrating products enriched with skin-restoring and skin-replenishing ingredients, including various non-fragrant plant oils. You may also need a richer body cream, as skin from the neck down can become drier as well.
• If skin has become more sensitive, look for ultra-soothing, ultra-gentle formulas with ingredient blends that are specially designed for temperamental skin and redness.
• If your complexion appears to be more dull or uneven in tone, use a leave-on AHA or BHA exfoliant to remove built-up layers of dead skin and reveal the supple, smooth skin hiding beneath. After this important step, follow with products containing proven ingredients such as concentrated vitamin C or tranexamic acid to brighten and even out skin tone.
• If you want to target wrinkles, consider the anti-ageing superstar retinol. In addition to the phytoestrogens mentioned above, retinol can improve the appearance of fine lines, loss of firmness, and other significant signs of ageing.
• If your enlarged pores have given way to orange-peel textured skin, use concentrated niacinamide to tighten, smooth, and minimise pores.

Menopause Skin Breakouts

You may also experience breakouts during menopause (and perimenopause) as your hormones fluctuate.

Blemish treatment during menopause should start with a non-drying, fragrance-free cleanser that gently removes excess oil and debris without stripping skin. Follow that with a proven anti-blemish ingredient such as salicylic acid. Consider adding a retinol product to further tackle the issue. If you’re experiencing dryness and breakouts at the same time, an oil-free moisturiser can be helpful to add hydration without risk of clogging pores.

Learn more about anti-ageing skin care.

References for this information:
1. International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, June 2019, pages 85–90
2. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, November 2018, pages 1186–1189
3. Dermato Endocrinology, April 2013, pages 264-270
4. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, February 2019, page 495-499
5. Gynecological Endocrinology, November 2017, pages 845-848
6. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, October 2017, pages 535-542
7. Nutrient, June 2017, page 622
8. Frontiers in Pharmacology, May 2016, ePublication