Menopausal Skin. What Do You Need To Know?
- Tatiana Cheremnykh
- Feb 12
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 17
Once you’re on your way to becoming a rose hip, you can’t go backward to being a rose bud. Our task is to come to appreciate the beauty and power of the season we are in and to learn how to maximize the strength and resilience of the juicy rose hip stage. - Christine Northrup.
Heading #3: The role of estrogen. Why it matters so much?
#1: WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?
Menopause is a natural biological transition, not a disease — but it does come with real, body-wide changes.
As women age, the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen, the hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle. Periods become irregular, hormone levels fluctuate, and eventually menstruation stops completely.
A woman is considered to have reached menopause when she has gone 12 consecutive months without a period (unless another medical condition is the cause). This transition typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.
Before menopause comes perimenopause — the transitional phase that can begin as early as the early 40s. Symptoms are often similar to menopause but may be milder or fluctuate from month to month.
TYPES OF MENOPAUSE:
Natural menopause: normal condition as women age, occurs sometime between 45-55 years old.
Induced menopause (independent of a woman's age), may happen due to surgery or cancer/radiation.
Premature menopause: premature ovarian failure (POF) - before age of 30 or 40.
#2: COMMON SYMPTOMS OF PERIMENOPAUSE & MENOPAUSE.
Hormonal shifts don’t just affect the reproductive system — they impact the entire body, including the skin, brain, bones, and metabolism.
Common symptoms include:
Hot flashes & night sweats
Poor sleep quality
Low mood, anxiety or depression
Memory and concentration issues
Brittle bones
Dry, itchy skin
Thinning hair or hair loss
Decreased collagen production
Increased skin sensitivity
Vaginal dryness
Reduced libido
Irregular periods
Adult acne
Weight gain & slowed metabolism
Many of these symptoms begin during perimenopause, long before the final menstrual period.
THE MENOPAUSAL TRANSITION:
Somatic changes in the normal functioning of the ovary.
During this time, it may be difficult to differentiate between stress-related symptoms from those associated with decreasing levels of estrogen.
Cessation of ovarian function.
Concomitant hormonal changes.
Changes in menstrual cycle.
Associated with the end of woman's reproductive' years.
#3: THE ROLE OF ESTROGEN. WHY IT MATTERS SO MUCH?
Estrogen is far more than a “reproductive hormone.” It influences:
The nervous system
Bones
Fat distribution
Cardiovascular health
Skin structure and function
THE THREE MAIN TYPES OF ESTROGEN:
Estradiol (E2) – The most potent form, dominant during reproductive years
Estrone (E1) – Becomes the primary estrogen after menopause
Estriol (E3) – Predominant during pregnancy
ESTROGEN & THE SKIN:
Estrogen receptors are found throughout the skin — in the epidermis, dermis, blood vessels, hair follicles, and oil and sweat glands.
Estrogen helps the skin by:
Increasing keratinocyte proliferation
Speeding up cell turnover
Stimulating collagen synthesis
Improving blood circulation
Regulating hair growth and sebum production
Improving wound healing
Protecting against photoaging
As estrogen declines during perimenopause and menopause, these protective effects weaken — and the skin begins to visibly change.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SKIN DURING MENOPAUSE?:
For many women, skin aging accelerates once menopausal symptoms begin.
Declining estrogen levels lead to:
Thinner skin
Increased dryness
Loss of firmness and elasticity
Deeper and more numerous wrinkles
Slower cell turnover
Reduced collagen production
Skin may also become more sensitive, reactive, and prone to pigmentation.
Skin Tone Matters:
Black skin is naturally more prone to dryness and pigmentation — menopause can intensify these concerns
White skin tends to show fine lines and wrinkles earlier, which may become more pronounced during menopause
Menopausal skin changes are highly individual and influenced by genetics, environment, lifestyle, and skincare habits.
#4: SKINCARE GOALS FOR PERIMENOPAUSE & MENOPAUSE
Skincare for menopausal skin should focus on support, repair, and comfort, not harsh correction.
Effective formulations aim to:
Improve hydration & moisturization
Calm irritation and sensitivity
Cool and soothe the skin
Support firmness and elasticity
Encourage gentle cell turnover
Support collagen production
Reduce hyperpigmentation and even skin tone
KEY INGREDIENTS FOR THE SKIN:
HUMECTANTS & HYDRATION BOOSTERS:
Lower estrogen reduces the skin’s natural levels of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, collagen, and sebum, leading to dryness and discomfort.
Hyaluronic Acid
Draws water into the skin
High molecular weight (HMW): hydrates the surface
Low molecular weight (LMW): penetrates deeper for plumping
Glycerin
Reliable, effective humectant
Hydrates, smooths, and softens
Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines
MOISTURIZING INGREDIENTS:
Shea Butter
Rich in oleic acid (omega-9)
Anti-inflammatory and deeply nourishing
Supports cell regeneration
Contains unsaponifiables that may support collagen production
Rice Bran Oil
High in oleic acid
Lightweight yet nourishing
Contains gamma-oryzanol, which helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles
SOOTHING & COOLING INGREDIENTS
Helpful for hot flashes, redness, and irritation:
Aloe vera
Cucumber
Bisabolol
Chamomile
Allantoin
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS & EXTRACTS:
Peptides
Stimulate collagen and elastin
Improve firmness and elasticity
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
Boosts ceramide production
Strengthens the skin barrier
Reduces TEWL
Improves elasticity
Helps with hyperpigmentation
Retinol & Phyto-Retinol
Increase cell turnover
Support collagen production
Phyto-retinol offers a gentler alternative
Phytosterols
Help repair and protect the skin barrier
Especially useful for dry, compromised skin
Ceramides
Restore the skin’s moisture barrier
Reduce water loss and irritation
Collagen & Collagen Boosters
Hydrolyzed collagen provides humectant benefits
Peptides, Centella asiatica, and vitamin C derivatives support collagen synthesis
Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola)
Boosts hydration and NMF production
Stimulates collagen
Strong antioxidant activity
Green Tea
Rich in polyphenols
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
Helps protect against oxidative stress
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