Skin Health
July 2025
Menopause and skin changes: what women are really noticing and why
Understanding the connection between hormonal changes and your skin during perimenopause and menopause.
Understanding the connection between hormonal changes and your skin during perimenopause and menopause.
If your skin has started to feel different in your forties or fifties, you are not imagining it. Many women notice changes to their skin during perimenopause and menopause that can feel sudden, unexpected and sometimes difficult to manage with their usual routine.
These changes are real, they are common, and they have a clear explanation. Understanding what is happening can help you feel more informed and better equipped to look after your skin during this stage of life.
Oestrogen plays an important role in maintaining skin quality. It supports collagen production, helps retain moisture, and contributes to the overall structure and resilience of the skin. When oestrogen levels begin to decline during perimenopause, the skin gradually loses some of this support.
Research suggests that women can lose up to 30 percent of their skin collagen in the first five years after menopause. This is a significant change, and it helps explain why so many women notice their skin looking and feeling different during this time.
Reduced oestrogen affects the skin's ability to retain moisture. Many women find their skin feels drier and tighter than before, even if they have not changed their skincare routine.
As collagen and elastin production slows, the skin may begin to feel less firm. This can be particularly noticeable around the jawline, cheeks and neck.
Some women find their skin becomes more reactive during menopause. Products that previously caused no problems may suddenly irritate the skin.
The skin may become thinner and more fragile over time. This can make it more prone to bruising and slower to heal.
In my clinic, I speak with many women who are noticing these changes for the first time. Often they describe a sense of frustration that their skin no longer responds the way it used to. Moisturisers that worked well for years suddenly feel inadequate. Fine lines appear more pronounced. The skin around the eyes and mouth seems to show tiredness more easily.
Some women also describe feeling as though their skin has lost its glow or looks duller than before. This can be related to changes in cell turnover and hydration levels, which naturally slow as we age and particularly during hormonal transitions.
These experiences are very common. Hearing other women describe similar changes can be reassuring in itself, as it confirms that what you are noticing is part of a natural process rather than something wrong.
It is worth noting that these changes are not limited to the face. Many women notice changes to the skin on their neck, chest, hands and body as well. The skin may feel drier overall, and areas that were previously resilient may start to show signs of ageing more quickly.
Some women also experience changes to their hair and nails during menopause. Hair may become thinner or change in texture, while nails may become more brittle. These are all connected to the same hormonal shifts affecting the skin.
While these changes are natural, there are things that can help. Many women find that adjusting their skincare routine makes a noticeable difference. This might include using richer moisturisers, introducing hydrating serums, or being more consistent with sun protection.
Some women also explore professional treatments that support skin quality from within. Options such as skin boosters, polynucleotides and bio-remodelling treatments like Profhilo can help improve hydration and stimulate the skin's own regenerative processes. These are not about changing how you look, but about supporting your skin during a time when it needs extra care.
It is also worth speaking to your GP about menopause more broadly. Hormone replacement therapy can have positive effects on skin quality for some women, alongside its other benefits. Understanding all the options available allows you to make informed decisions about what is right for you.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that these changes are experienced by millions of women. They are not a sign of neglect or failure to look after yourself. They are a natural part of ageing and hormonal transition.
Talking openly about menopause and skin changes helps reduce the stigma and confusion that can surround this topic. The more we understand about what is happening, the better equipped we are to respond in ways that feel right for us individually.
If you are noticing changes to your skin and would like to understand more about what might help, I am always happy to have a conversation. Sometimes simply knowing what is normal and what options are available can be reassuring in itself.
Looking after your skin during menopause is not about fighting ageing. It is about supporting your skin through change with kindness and understanding.
Sarah