20% off €45 or 15% off €35
Track an order
Manage account
Buy It Again
Favourites
Rewards
Find a storeMenopause skincare routine – areas to focus on
Written byEmily Coates
Reviewed byMadalena Vieira Costa
They say life starts at 40. So why can’t good skin? Let's talk menopause skin changes and how you can adapt your self-care routine
Summary
1Why does menopause affect skin?
Changing oestrogen levels can affect collagen, hydration and elasticity, which may change how the skin on your face looks and feels.
2Common menopause skin changes
From dry skin and acne to changes in firmness, menopause can affect your skin in several ways. Here’s what you might notice.
3Itchy skin and menopause
Itchy skin can be common during perimenopause and menopause. Find out why skin may feel drier or itchier and how to care for it.
Going through the transition into menopause, known as perimenopause, doesn’t mean your skin isn’t still beautiful – it just might look and feel a little different from when you were in your 20s. Changing hormone levels can bring menopause skin changes like dryness, breakouts and a loss of firmness to your face. Then there’s collagen and menopause: research suggests women’s skin can lose around 30% of its collagen during the first five years of menopause.1,2
All isn’t lost though… From the key changes to look out for to the skincare ingredients you’ll soon be calling your best friends, we’ve got what you need to know about looking after your skin through menopause and beyond.
Why does menopause affect skin?
Oestrogen does much more than regulate your menstrual cycle. Your skin has oestrogen receptors too, and the hormone plays a part in collagen production, skin thickness, elasticity, hydration and wound healing.3 As oestrogen levels fluctuate during perimenopause and then fall around menopause, you may start to notice some changes. Skin can become drier, thinner and less elastic, while its ability to hold on to moisture may decrease.3
Then there's collagen and menopause. Collagen is a structural protein that gives skin much of its strength and firmness. Research suggests women's skin can lose around 30% of its collagen during the first five years of menopause, with the decline becoming more gradual afterwards.3 That can contribute to fine lines, wrinkles and a loss of firmness.
Your skin barrier matters too. Think of it as your skin’s protective outer coat: it helps reduce moisture loss and keeps irritants out. Age-related changes to the skin barrier can contribute to dryness and itching, which is why moisturising your skin becomes particularly important as it matures.4 But hormones aren't the whole story. Genetics, chronological ageing, cumulative sun exposure and lifestyle factors can all influence how your skin looks and feels. So, there's no single type of 'menopausal skin' – and no one-size-fits-all routine.
PRAI Beauty
6 common changes to your skin during menopause – and how to care for it
Skin suddenly playing by a different rulebook? Here are six common menopause skin changes you might notice – and what you can do about them.
1. Age spots
Noticed new flat, brown patches on your face, hands, chest or arms? Often called age spots or sunspots, these are largely the result of cumulative UV exposure rather than menopause itself. They can simply become more noticeable as you get older.2
What you can do: make sun protection your non-negotiable. Protecting your skin from UV can help prevent the signs of sun damage and premature skin ageing. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen and don't forget commonly missed areas such as your neck, chest and hands.2
Ultrasun
And keep an eye on your skin. Don’t automatically put every new or changing pigmented mark down to ageing. If a mole or patch changes in size, shape or colour, or you’re concerned about it for any reason, speak to your GP.5
2. Menopause and dry skin
If your skin suddenly feels tight, flaky or itchy, you're far from alone. If your skin suddenly feels tight, flaky or itchy, you’re far from alone. Many people notice their skin feels drier or itchier during perimenopause and menopause.1
Lower oestrogen levels and age-related changes can affect skin hydration and barrier function, leaving skin less able to hold on to moisture.3,4 Skin may also feel more sensitive around menopause, so you might find yourself paying a little more attention to what feels comfortable on your skin.
What you can do: this is the time to be kind to your skin barrier, rather than throwing every active ingredient at it.
Start with a gentle cleanser and follow with a moisturiser. Look for familiar hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, which helps attract water to the skin, alongside emollient or occlusive ingredients such as squalane, shea butter or petrolatum, which can help soften skin and reduce moisture loss.6 Ceramides, which are naturally found in the skin, also play an important structural role in supporting the skin barrier.4
Hyaluronic acid is another ingredient you might recognise on skincare labels and can help hydrate the skin. Apply your moisturiser after washing or showering, while your skin is still slightly damp, to help lock in hydration.
New Nordic
Very hot water can affect the skin barrier and increase moisture loss, so if long, steaming showers leave your skin feeling itchy afterwards, turn down the temperature and try a cooler shower instead. And remember: more isn’t always more. If your skin feels sensitive, simplifying your routine for a while may be more useful than adding another serum.7
The dryness isn’t always just on your skin; menopause can also cause vaginal dryness and make sex painful. It’s another common symptom but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your sex life. Lube, anyone?
3. Facial hair
Finding a few new chin hairs? Hormonal changes can alter the balance between oestrogen and androgens, which can make coarse hairs on areas such as the upper lip, chin and jawline more noticeable.3 At the same time, you might notice the hair on your scalp becoming thinner – another change the NHS lists among possible menopause symptoms.1
What you can do: there's nothing medically wrong with facial hair, so whether you remove it is entirely up to you. Options include tweezing, threading and laser hair reduction. Waxing is another option, but as skin can become thinner around menopause, it may be more prone to tearing or bleeding with waxing.2
4. Loss of firmness and elasticity
Your skin might not bounce back quite like it used to – and collagen has a lot to do with it. When it comes to collagen and menopause, falling oestrogen levels are an important part of the picture. As collagen declines around menopause, skin can become thinner and less firm, making fine lines, wrinkles and sagging more noticeable.2,3
What you can do: first up, SPF. UV radiation contributes to premature skin ageing, so protecting your skin from the sun remains one of the most useful things you can do for it.3
Next, you could consider retinol. Retinoids are among the best-studied topical ingredients for photoaged skin and can improve the appearance of fine lines.5,8 But there's no prize for going from zero to maximum strength overnight. If your skin is dry or sensitive, introduce retinol gradually and follow with a moisturiser.
Olay
And what about collagen supplements? This is an area where the evidence has evolved. Some trials have reported improvements in skin hydration, elasticity and wrinkles, but a 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis found that these benefits disappeared when researchers looked specifically at higher-quality or non-industry-funded studies. The authors concluded that current clinical evidence doesn't support collagen supplements for preventing or treating skin ageing.6
So, think twice before treating collagen powder as a shortcut to younger-looking skin.
5. Spots and acne
Dry skin and spots? Annoyingly, you can have both. Acne isn't just a teenage problem. It can occur during the menopausal period too, and changing hormone levels may play a part.7 A relative increase in androgen activity can encourage changes in oil production and contribute to breakouts.7
What you can do: resist the urge to scrub your skin into submission. Mature skin can already be dry or sensitive, so an overly aggressive acne routine may simply swap spots for irritation. Salicylic acid can help unclog pores, while niacinamide is often included in skincare designed to support the skin barrier and blemish-prone skin.9
JUMISO
Introduce active ingredients one at a time so you can see how your skin responds. If your breakouts or pimples are painful, persistent, leaving scars or affecting your confidence, speak to your GP or a dermatologist.
6. Changes in skin resilience
As we age, skin can become thinner and more fragile, while changing oestrogen levels during menopause are associated with changes in skin structure and function.2 This may mean your skin looks or feels a little more delicate than it used to.
What you can do: treat increasingly fragile skin gently. Moisturising regularly can help support the skin barrier, while sun protection helps protect the skin from UV rays.
Don't assume significant bruising or a wound that won't heal is simply 'the menopause', though. If bruising appears without an obvious cause, suddenly becomes more frequent or you're concerned about how a wound is healing, speak to your GP.
Menopause face and skincare FAQs
Many people notice itchy skin during perimenopause and menopause.¹ Your skin may also feel drier, tighter or flakier than it used to. Changes in skin hydration and barrier function around menopause can contribute to dry skin and itching.2,4
If menopause itchy skin is bothering you, keep your skincare routine simple and moisturise regularly. If itching is persistent, severe or you’re concerned about changes to your skin, speak to your GP or a dermatologist.
It can. Some people find their skin feels more sensitive during perimenopause and menopause. Changes in oestrogen, skin hydration and the skin barrier may all play a part.2,4 If your skin feels more sensitive, keep your routine simple. Choose gentle, fragrance-free products where possible and introduce new active ingredients one at a time. If redness, itching or irritation is persistent or severe, speak to your GP or a dermatologist.
The best skincare to support changes during menopause depends on what your skin needs, but a few ingredients are worth knowing about. For dryness, look for glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which can help support hydration, alongside moisturising ingredients such as ceramides that support the skin barrier.4 If fine lines and uneven texture are your main concerns, retinol can help improve the appearance of photoaged skin.5,8
Whatever ingredients you choose, don't overlook SPF. Daily sun protection can help protect your skin from further UV damage and premature skin ageing.3 And if your skin has become more sensitive, introduce active ingredients gradually rather than overloading your routine.
Yes, hormonal changes around menopause can contribute to adult acne.⁷ As the balance between oestrogen and androgens changes, you may notice more breakouts, particularly around your chin and jawline.7
The tricky part? Menopause and dry skin can happen at the same time as spots. So, avoid going too hard on acne treatments if your skin already feels dry or sensitive. Salicylic acid can help unclog pores, while niacinamide is often used in products for blemish-prone skin and can support the skin barrier.7,9
The final say
Menopause skin changes can mean your usual routine needs a rethink, but there’s no need to overhaul your whole bathroom shelf. Keep it simple: protect your skin from the sun, moisturise regularly and choose ingredients that suit what your skin needs. And remember, hormones are only part of the picture. If you notice persistent or unusual skin changes, speak to your GP or a dermatologist.
Want to support your wellbeing from the inside too? Explore our top vitamins for skin and our guide to perimenopause supplements and vitamins for energy, mood and hormone balance.
Disclaimer – This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Working with experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
1. NHS. Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause [Internet]. NHS. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause-and-perimenopause/symptoms/
2. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Caring for your skin in menopause [Internet]. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause
3. Viscomi B. Managing menopausal skin changes: a narrative review of skin quality changes, their aesthetic impact, and the actual role of hormone replacement therapy in improvement. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24:e70393.
4. Rajkumar J, Chandan N, Lio P, Shi V. The skin barrier and moisturization: function, disruption, and mechanisms of repair. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2023.
5. NHS. Symptoms of melanoma skin cancer [Internet]. NHS. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/melanoma-skin-cancer/symptoms-of-melanoma-skin-cancer/
6. Sethi A, Kaur T, Malhotra SK, Gambhir ML. Moisturizers: the slippery road. Indian J Dermatol. 2016;61(3):279–287. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.182427.
7. Herrero-Fernandez M, Montero-Vilchez T, Diaz-Calvillo P, Romera-Vilchez M, Buendia-Eisman A, Arias-Santiago S. Impact of water exposure and temperature changes on skin barrier function. J Clin Med. 2022;11(2):298. doi:10.3390/jcm11020298.
8. Mambwe B, Mellody KT, Kiss O, O'Connor C, Bell M, Watson REB, et al. Cosmetic retinoid use in photoaged skin: a review of the compounds, their use and mechanisms of action. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2025;47(1):45–57. doi:10.1111/ics.13013.
9. Mohammed D, Crowther JM, Matts PJ, Hadgraft J, Lane ME. Influence of niacinamide containing formulations on the molecular and biophysical properties of the stratum corneum. Int J Pharm. 2013;441(1–2):192–201. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.11.043.
Related to this article
