How your skin changes during the menopause

Collagen production slows down

Collagen gives the skin firmness and resilience. During the menopause its production declines more quickly than in the years before. You notice this not only in fine lines. Often we see that women mainly notice a loss of firmness. The jawline becomes less defined, the skin around the cheeks can slacken slightly and the skin feels less resilient to the touch. In our boutiques we regularly find that women expect wrinkles to be the first change. In practice, a loss of firmness is often more noticeable than the lines themselves. Do you recognise these changes? In What the menopause does to your skin [What the menopause does to your skin] you can read which visible skin concerns this can cause.

Your skin holds on to moisture less easily

A tight feeling after cleansing, dry patches or skin that feels less comfortable as the day goes on. These are concerns we often see during the menopause. Hormonal changes make the skin less able to hold on to moisture. At the same time, the skin’s natural protection decreases. As a result moisture can evaporate more quickly and the skin feels dry sooner. Many women think they have suddenly developed dry skin. In reality, several processes change at the same time. This is why the skin often needs both more hydration and more support for the skin barrier.

The skin barrier becomes more vulnerable

The skin barrier is the skin’s natural protective layer. It helps to hold on to moisture and protects against outside influences. During the menopause this protective layer can work less well. As a result the skin sometimes reacts more sensitively to products that caused no problems for years. Changes in temperature, stress, wind and sunlight can also affect how the skin feels more quickly. Perhaps you recognise a cream that was always pleasant suddenly stinging, or your skin turning red more quickly than before. These are signals we regularly see when the skin barrier is under pressure. Redness, sensitivity and skin that reacts more quickly are common during this stage of life. In Hormonal skin concerns that come with the menopause [Hormonal skin concerns that come with the menopause] you can read which skin concerns can arise.

Less sebum means less protection

Sebum production often decreases during the menopause. Sebum forms an important part of the skin’s natural protective layer and helps to hold on to moisture. When less sebum is produced, the skin often feels less supple. Some women notice their skin becoming tight more quickly, while others mainly see a drier look. That does not mean every woman automatically develops dry skin. Even so, we regularly see the skin feeling less comfortable than before and needing more nourishing products.

Cell renewal slows down

The skin renews itself continuously. During the menopause this process slows down, so dead skin cells stay on the surface of the skin for longer. As a result the skin can look duller and less radiant than before. Make-up sometimes sits less well too, and it can take longer for the skin to recover after a spot or irritation. When women say their skin has lost its fresh look, slower cell renewal often plays an important part.

Why several skin concerns often arise at the same time

Many women expect one clear change during the menopause. In reality we usually see several processes reinforcing one another. This often leads to several skin concerns at once. The skin feels drier, reacts more sensitively, loses firmness and becomes more prone to pigmentation. This also explains why a product that used to work well now gives less result. Precisely because several causes are at play at once, the skin often calls for a different approach than before.

Understanding what is happening is the first step

When you understand which changes are taking place in the skin during the menopause, it becomes easier to make the right choices. Not every skin has the same needs and not every concern calls for the same solution. Do you mainly recognise dryness, pigmentation, redness, sensitivity or blemishes? Then Hormonal skin concerns that come with the menopause offers more explanation about the skin concerns that are common in this phase. Or are you curious about what you can do yourself to keep your skin healthy, firm and radiant for as long as possible? In that case Skin advice during the menopause to keep your skin radiant [Skin advice during the menopause to keep your skin radiant] follows on nicely from this.

Frequently asked questions about skin changes during the menopause

Why does my skin change during the menopause?
During the menopause the amount of oestrogen in your body falls. This hormone plays an important role in collagen production, the moisture balance, sebum production and skin recovery. When oestrogen decreases, the condition of the skin changes too.

What influence does oestrogen have on my skin?
Oestrogen helps to keep the skin supple, firm and well hydrated. As this hormone declines, the skin can become thinner, lose moisture more quickly and feel less resilient.

Why do I get more wrinkles during the menopause?
During the menopause the production of collagen and elastin declines more quickly. This causes the skin to lose firmness and makes fine lines and wrinkles more visible.

Why does my skin suddenly feel so dry when I have always had normal skin?
Because of hormonal changes the skin holds on to moisture less easily and often produces less sebum. As a result skin that felt normal for years can suddenly become drier or tighter.

Does my skin change back again after the menopause?
The hormonal changes are permanent, so the skin usually does not return by itself to how it was before the menopause. With the right care, lifestyle and treatments, however, you can support the skin and reduce many of the concerns.