Skin changes during perimenopause and menopause
Kate JamesonPerimenopause and Menopause marks a natural shift in hormone levels, but its effects on the skin can feel anything but subtle. As oestrogen and progesterone decline, the skin’s architecture, barrier, and repair mechanisms begin to change. These changes are gradual but cumulative, affecting everything from firmness and hydration to sensitivity and pigmentation.
Understanding why these changes occur is the first step in treating them effectively.
Collagen and Elastin
One of the earliest and most significant changes is the loss of collagen. Oestrogen plays a vital role in stimulating fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin (the proteins that give skin its strength and bounce).
In the first five years after menopause, collagen levels can drop by up to 30%.
What you may notice:
The result is skin that feels thinner and less resilient, with fine lines and deeper wrinkles becoming more apparent. This decline also contributes to a loss of firmness in the cheeks, jawline, and neck, areas where structural support is most visible.
To counteract this, skincare should focus on reactivating collagen synthesis and protecting what remains.
Look for products with the following ingredients:
- Peptides and growth factors (like EGF) encourage fibroblast activity and rebuild the extracellular matrix.
- Retinoids and vitamin C further stimulate collagen formation and reduce oxidative damage that accelerates breakdown.
Product Recommendations:
Skinceuticals Collagen Amplifier
SkinCeuticals A.G.E Interrupter Ultra Serum
Barrier Function and Hydration
The skin’s barrier, the outermost layer responsible for retaining moisture and keeping irritants out, also weakens during menopause. Reduced oestrogen leads to lower production of ceramides, fatty acids, and natural moisturising factors, leaving the skin prone to dehydration and irritation.
What you may notice:
Many women notice their skin feels tight, rough, or flaky, even if it was once balanced.
How to support your skin barrier:
Supporting the barrier means restoring its lipid composition and rehydrating from both within and on the surface.
Look for products with the following ingredients:
- Squalane
- Ceramides
- Plant oils
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Polyglutamic Acid
Moringa or camellia oil replenish lost lipids, while hyaluronic acid and polyglutamic acid attract and lock in water at multiple depths. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is also invaluable here, as it strengthens the barrier, reduces water loss, and improves tolerance to actives.
Product Recommendations:
Ultra MD Ultimate Bio-Repair Moisturiser
Pigmentation and Uneven Tone
Fluctuating hormones during perimenopause can trigger an increase in pigmentation, particularly melasma or sun-induced dark spots. At the same time, slower cell turnover means pigmentation fades less efficiently, leaving skin looking dull or uneven. Thinning skin can also make underlying pigment changes more visible.
How to improve the appearance of pigmentation:
Managing pigmentation safely in menopausal skin requires a gentle but consistent approach.
Look for products with the following ingredients:
- Vitamin C
- Niacinamide
- Tranexamic acid
These help reduce melanin production, while retinoids and enzymatic exfoliants improve cell renewal to lift existing pigment. Daily use of broad-spectrum SPF is essential to prevent recurrence and maintain results.
Product Recommendations:
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Serum
Redness and Sensitivity
As the skin barrier becomes thinner and lipid levels drop, it’s common to experience increased redness, heat, or reactivity (especially in those with pre-existing sensitivity).
Nerve endings in the skin become more exposed, and microvascular function changes, leading to transient flushing or persistent irritation.
How to improve the appearance of redness:
The key is to calm inflammation while rebuilding resilience.
Look for products with the following ingredients:
- Panthenol (vitamin B5) and bisabolol soothe irritation
- Probiotics support a healthy microbiome to regulate immune responses.
Avoid harsh exfoliants or overly fragranced products can also help maintain comfort.
Over time, barrier-restorative and anti-inflammatory formulations can retrain the skin to tolerate actives again.
Product Recommendations:
Dullness and Slower Renewal
Cell turnover naturally slows with age, but hormonal changes amplify this process. Skin may appear tired, lacklustre, or rough to the touch. Dead cells linger on the surface, reflecting less light and preventing skincare from absorbing effectively.
Look for products with the following ingredients:
- Gentle resurfacing ingredients such as lactic acid, PHA, or enzyme-based exfoliants can help revive glow without irritation.
- Combining exfoliation with antioxidants like resveratrol or CoQ10 restores energy to skin cells, improving overall luminosity and texture.
Product Recommendations:
Medik8 Intelligent Retinol 3TR
Key ingredients for perimenopause and menopause
When treating menopausal skin, focus on rebuilding what has been lost (collagen, lipids, hydration, and antioxidant protection), while maintaining tolerance.
- Peptides and Growth Factors rebuild firmness and density by stimulating fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin.
- Niacinamide supports barrier strength, hydration, and pigment regulation while improving skin’s tolerance to actives.
- Retinoids and Bakuchiol encourage renewal and improve texture, with bakuchiol offering a non-irritating alternative.
- Hyaluronic Acid and Polyglutamic Acid restore plumpness and elasticity through multi-depth hydration.
- Antioxidants such as vitamin C, CoQ10, and resveratrol protect against oxidative stress and environmental ageing.
- Barrier Lipids (ceramides, squalane, and essential fatty acids) re-establish comfort and prevent water loss.
Together, these ingredients work synergistically to rebuild the skin’s resilience, without triggering sensitivity.
