Perimenopause and your skin: what changes and what you can do about it

Menopause

March 30, 2022

Perimenopause and your skin: what changes and what you can do about it

What Is Happening & What It Means

Have you ever wondered what might cause the changes to your skin as you reach (peri)menopause? Maybe you’ve experienced some of these:

Skin sagging, especially around your chin and jawline
Vulvar thinning (yes, even the skin in your genitals can change due to menopause. We cover how this might create sexual difficulties in greater detail here.)
General skin dryness and irritation
Skin thinning
More sensitive or fragile skin
Vaginal dryness
Hair thinning and loss

Many of these skin changes are linked to what’s going on in your body in (peri)menopause. Here are some of them:

Changing hormone levels: as you reach (peri)menopause, your oestrogen levels gradually drop, which makes it difficult for your body to produce collagen. Collagen is a protein responsible for keeping your skin elastic, hydrated and resilient; you won’t just find it in the skin but also in your hair, nails, muscles, and bones. With less collagen, your skin might feel looser or less firm with time.
Changing skin-related substances: when oestrogen levels decline, your skin produces fewer substances like sebum, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. These are important substances for keeping healthy barrier function in the skin, and declining levels can cause skin dryness, irritation, and new sensitivities to skincare products.
Changes in the pH of your skin: or how basic or acidic your skin is, can worsen existing skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
Increased risk of osteoporosis: decreasing oestrogen levels are linked to osteoporosis, which may cause loss of bone mass around your jawline and chin. This might create the appearance of sagging skin and jowls.

It’s understandable to have concern about many of these skin changes related to ageing, but their link to (peri)menopause may affect your daily and long-term health. Let’s explore how.

What does it mean for me today and in future?

It’s understandable to have concerns about many of these skin changes related to ageing, but their link to (peri)menopause may affect your daily and long-term health. Let’s explore how.

Some studies have found that around 72% of women having reached (peri)menopause felt like their skin was less firm than before, along with increased dryness and wrinkling.

On a day-to-day basis and in the long-term, (peri)menopause-related changes to your skin might impact your overall quality of life, especially since society’s perceptions of ageing tend to disproportionately affect women. When you consider other (peri)menopause symptoms like changes in your weight, an increased risk for depression and/or anxiety, or sleep disturbances, skin changes might negatively affect your mental health as a whole.

But here’s the good news: it’s never too late to take steps to care for your skin in your (peri)menopause years. Let’s explore some ways that might work for you.

Skincare routines can be an empowering and self-affirming act of self-care — just five to ten minutes of your day when you get to focus on yourself and do something great for both you and your skin. You can set yourself up for success by committing to one to two habits that make sense for you and staying consistent with them over time by linking them with an activity you already do regularly, like brushing your teeth. However, if you’re still experiencing difficulties managing skin conditions like acne or irritated skin, you might benefit from a consultation with a dermatologist.

Getting to confidence

Taking simple steps to care for your skin can help you feel confident, empowered, and more energised on your (peri)menopause journey. We hope we were able to share some useful tips and recommendations for taking charge of your skin health and overall wellbeing.

Women’s hormonal health is an under-studied topic in healthcare research. With our content, we’re deep diving into the signs of (peri)menopause — including, for example, low libido and sexual difficulties.

References

https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause 
https://onlinedoctor.lloydspharmacy.com/uk/womens-health-advice/skin-during-the-menopause 
https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/menopause-itching 
https://lloydspharmacy.com/blogs/skin/dry-skin-and-the-menopause 
https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/106506/aesthetic-dermatology/skin-disorders-during-menopause 
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jdv.16242

“Skincare routines can be an empowering and self-affirming act of self-care — just five to ten minutes of your day when you get to focus on yourself and do something great for both you and your skin.”

What Medical Options Are Available?

Depending on what skin changes you’re experiencing during (peri)menopause, you could consider seeking support from your healthcare provider to help you address them — especially for new symptoms like vaginal dryness, vulvar itching, or hair loss.

Before prescribing you medication, your healthcare provider might recommend a routine blood test to rule out any other medical conditions affecting your skin (like liver disease, anaemia, thyroid problems, or type-2 diabetes.) They might also recommend a skin biopsy, if necessary.

Other recommendations might include:

Medical creams: like hydrocortisone (which you can buy over the counter) or prescription corticosteroids, both of which address skin inflammation and itching, and are key to controlling symptoms of vulvar skin issues like lichen sclerosis.

Oestrogen hormone therapy: which is often used to treat other (peri)menopausal symptoms, but is a key therapeutic for improving vaginal dryness.

Special lubricants: like Astroglide and vaginal hyaluronic acid ovules or suppositories (which you can buy over the counter) to address symptoms of vaginal dryness.

Referral to a specialist: like a dermatologist, who can help you with your skin changes more precisely.

Many skin changes of menopause may be attributed to normal ageing, but make sure to bring up your concerns with your doctor. Several conditions like lichen sclerosus, vaginal dryness and atrophy, and other skin changes can be optimised with medical therapy and need ongoing monitoring by your healthcare provider.

What Self-Care Options Are There?

You can do a lot to start (or freshen up) your (peri)menopause skincare routine — and you don’t need to invest in expensive products or treatments. Instead, you could consider:

Nutrient-dense foods: like in the Mediterranean diet, which includes healthy oils and fats from fresh fish and seafood (like omega-3 fatty acids), as well as fruits and vegetables (with plenty of vitamin C), nuts and seeds, and more. Some studies have found that this diet can even help prevent acne and premature wrinkles, reduce skin irritation, and bring back some fullness and hydration to your skin.
Prioritising sleep and stress reduction: sleep disturbances are a common (peri)menopause symptom: when you don’t get enough rest, it makes it easier for you to feel more stressed or anxious. Over time, these don’t just negatively impact your skin but rather your overall health. You could get started by adjusting your sleeping environment by keeping it cool (between 15.5–19 degrees Celcius) and practising a stress reduction technique like deep breathing or mindfulness meditation.
Avoiding (or reducing) habits that might dry out your skin: these include smoking, alcohol use, tanning beds, soaps, fragrances, and very hot showers.

Or investing in simple skincare products like:

moisturiser (especially containing ceramides and/or hyaluronic acid)
sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
retinol treatment, which increases collagen production and cellular turnover, minimising fine lines and signs of ageing
Vitamin C/antioxidant serum to decrease cellular damage and decrease dark spots
face and/or body washes specifically meant for dry or sensitive skin