Menopause is a natural part of aging, affecting millions of women worldwide. According to the North American Menopause Society, approximately 6,000 women enter menopause each day in the United States alone. Despite its prevalence, there’s surprisingly little information on how to manage the skin changes that come with it. As estrogen levels drop, the skin can become drier, thinner, and more prone to wrinkles, leading many women to wonder how to best care for their skin. Here, expert tips and recommendations to help switch up your skin-care routine at the first sign of the “change.”
Featured Experts
- Jody Levine, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York
- Kenneth Beer, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in West Palm Beach, FL
- Dr. Janet Allenby is a board-certified dermatologist in Delray Beach, FL
Understanding Menopausal Skin Changes
New York dermatologist Jody Levine, MD explains that menopause brings a host of changes to the skin. “Estrogen levels drop, causing a decrease in collagen, which leads to dry, brittle and thin skin,” she says. “Therefore, it’s important to incorporate products that moisturize the skin, stimulate collagen production and act as a protective barrier to the skin.”
“Thinner skin combined with loss of fat and bone is what makes the skin look older,” says West Palm Beach, FL dermatologist Kenneth Beer, MD. These changes impact not just the face but also the neck, chest and hands. Given these shifts, it’s essential to evaluate your skin-care needs and choose products that promote moisture and protect against further damage during menopause.
Best Practices for Menopausal Skin
Given the changes in your skin during menopause, here are some key practices to keep in mind:
1. Hydration Is Key
The decrease in moisture production during menopause requires a shift towards more hydrating products. “Hyaluronic acid helps the skin retain moisture, while ceramides strengthen the skin’s barrier and peptides boost collagen production, making them all beneficial for post-menopausal skin,” says Dr. Levine.
“I like to use products with ceramides, glycerin and hyaluronic acid, as these tend to retain moisture well,” adds Dr. Beer. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($23) and La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer ($11) are excellent choices for keeping skin hydrated.
2. Gentle Cleansing
As the skin becomes more sensitive, it’s essential to choose a gentle cleanser that won’t strip away natural oils. “I recommend a mild cleanser that does not strip out oils, such as my own ScientificRx Rosehip Refresh Cleanser ($29),” notes Dr. Beer. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser ($15) is another good gentle option that won’t strip your skin.
3. Protect Against Sun Damage
Thinner skin is more susceptible to sun damage, making sun protection crucial. Dr. Levine emphasizes the importance of using SPF 45 or higher every day, even on cloudy days. Delray Beach, Fl dermatologist Dr. Janet Allenby agrees: “Always keep up with the sunscreen,” she says.
Dr. Beer recommends sunscreens like Alastin HydraTint ($76), which provides both protection and a light tint for even coverage. Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen ($38) offers effective sun protection without irritating sensitive skin.
4. Focus on Barrier Repair
To address skin cell turnover and the natural barrier function, Dr. Allenby recommends using products that promote cell renewal. “Incorporate products rich in growth factors, like TNS Advanced+ Serum from SkinMedica ($295), or plateleets like those in Plated Intense Serum ($268), which promote faster cell turnover.”
To maintain a healthy skin barrier, use ceramide-based products, she adds. “This helps reduce water loss, which can cause skin to appear dry and wrinkled.”
5. Collagen-Building Treatments
For visible signs of aging, Dr. Beer says step one is incorporating tretinoin (Retin-A), hyaluronic acid and vitamin C into your routine. Step two is to call in the big guns in the form of a skin-care treatment. “From a procedural perspective, lasers such as Clear + Brilliant, Fraxel and procedures such as microneedling with radio frequency are good at restoring some of the collagen but proceed cautiously,” he warns. “It is always better to come back and get more than it is to fix a problem related to being aggressive.”
