Aging is a privilege, it means you’re alive! But let’s be real – it can also feel like a bit of a shock when you wake up one morning and notice your skin isn’t behaving the way it used to. All of a sudden, you’re dealing with adult acne, your skin feels dry and as thin as tissue paper, your jawline is playing a game with gravity and losing, and your hair is thinning at an alarming rate. Welcome to menopause – where estrogen levels drop and your body and skin feel the shift.
As a board-certified dermatologist, I see women in my office every day with the same concerns:
“Why is my skin suddenly so dry?”
“Why am I breaking out in my 50s?”
“Is there anything I can do to keep my skin looking healthy and vibrant?”
The answer? Absolutely. But first, let’s break down what’s happening to your skin during menopause and what you can do about it.
What Happens to Your Skin During Menopause?
Menopause isn’t just about hot flashes and mood swings – it’s also a time when your skin undergoes some major changes due to declining estrogen levels. Here’s what’s happening beneath the surface:
Collagen drops like a rock: By the time you hit menopause, you’ve already been losing about 1% of collagen per year since your mid-20s. But after menopause? That loss speeds up significantly – up to 30% of your collagen disappears in the first five years. This leads to thinner skin, fine lines, and sagging.
Dryness and sensitivity increase: Estrogen helps your skin retain moisture and stimulates oil production. When it declines, your skin barrier weakens, leading to dry, irritated, and sometimes even itchy skin.
Hormonal acne makes a surprise appearance: Think acne was a teenage problem? Think again. With a relative increase in androgens (male hormones like testosterone), some women experience midlife breakouts, especially along the jawline and chin.
Hair thinning and hair growth in odd places: Estrogen keeps hair growth balanced, but with menopause, you might notice thinning on your scalp and increased peach fuzz or chin hairs. It’s all about shifting hormone ratios.
Hyperpigmentation and sun damage can worsen: Without estrogen’s protective effects, sun damage becomes more visible, and precancers and even skin cancers can develop.
So, What Can You Do?
The good news? There’s a LOT you can do to keep your skin healthy and glowing through menopause and beyond. Here’s your dermatologist-approved menopause skin care game plan:
- Hydrate Like It’s Your Job
- Look for moisturizers with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and peptides to help restore your skin barrier.
- If your skin is extra dry, layer a hydrating serum underneath your moisturizer.
- Consider adding a gentle facial oil for an extra moisture boost.
- Embrace Retinoids (Slowly!)
- Retinoids (like retinol and prescription tretinoin) boost collagen, smooth fine lines, and even skin tone.
- Start slow – two to three times a week – and layer over a moisturizer to minimize irritation.
- Sunscreen, Always and Forever
- SPF 30+ every single day – yes, even in winter, even if you’re just walking to the mailbox.
- Mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) are best for sensitive, menopausal skin.
- Bonus: Sunscreen prevents hyperpigmentation and collagen breakdown.
- Combat Acne and Hair Growth With Smart Strategies
- If hormonal acne is an issue, spironolactone (a prescription oral medication) can help.
- Azelaic acid and niacinamide are great for calming inflammation and reducing breakouts.
- For unwanted facial hair, laser hair removal, electrolysis, or topical eflornithine (Vaniqa) can help.
- Consider Estrogen Cream (Yes, for Your Face!)
- Topical estrogen creams (usually prescribed for vaginal dryness) are being studied for their ability to improve facial skin elasticity and hydration.
- Studies show that using estrogen topically can increase collagen production.
- If you’re on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), that can also benefit your skin.
- Support Your Skin From the Inside
- Eat more protein to support collagen production (think lean meats, fish, eggs, and collagen supplements).
- Load up on omega-3 fatty acids (salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds) to keep skin plump and hydrated.
- Vitamin D, iron, and ferritin levels are crucial for hair growth. Check with your doctor!
- Explore In-Office Treatments for a Boost
- Microneedling: Stimulates collagen for firmer skin
- Laser resurfacing: Evens out pigmentation and improves texture
- IPL (intense pulsed light): Targets redness and sun damage
- Sculptra or Radiesse: Stimulates collagen for natural volume restoration
Aging Is a Privilege, Not a Problem
Menopause isn’t the end of your story – it’s a new chapter. Your skin and body will evolve, but that doesn’t mean you have to battle it. Instead, work with it. Nourish it. Protect it. Invest in what makes YOU feel confident and radiant. And find a doctor, friends, and a community who can support you on your menopause journey!
Credit: Webmd
