Menopause and Skin: What Happens and How to Support Your Skin
Menopause triggers hormonal changes that significantly affect the skin. One of the most impactful is collagen loss.
Studies show that women lose around 30% of their skin’s collagen within the first five years of menopause. After this, collagen continues to decline by approximately 2% per year for the next 20 years.
Signs of Collagen Loss During Menopause
As collagen levels drop, skin structure weakens, leading to visible changes such as:
- Loss of firmness and elasticity
- Sagging skin and jowl formation
- Deepening smile lines (nasolabial folds)
- Wrinkles that remain visible at rest
- Drooping of the nasal tip
- Under-eye puffiness and hollows
- Enlarged pores due to reduced skin support
How to Prevent and Improve Sagging Skin During Menopause
1. Daily Sun Protection
UV exposure accelerates collagen breakdown. Using a broad-spectrum SPF daily is one of the most effective ways to protect menopausal skin and prevent premature ageing.
2. Use Collagen-Supporting Skincare
Ingredients such as retinol and peptides are clinically proven to support collagen production and improve firmness.
Medical-grade products like Environ Retinol Serum, C-Quence Serums, and Avance Elixir are specifically formulated to address hormonal ageing by strengthening the skin matrix and improving elasticity.
3. Support Skin from Within
Skin ageing accelerates from the inside during menopause.
- Advanced Nutrition Programme Collagen Support helps maintain skin firmness and resilience
- Omega fatty acids act as an internal moisturiser, strengthening the skin barrier and helping calm inflamed or reactive skin
Menopausal Acne: Why It Happens
As oestrogen levels fall, some women develop adult acne, often around the jawline, chin, and lower cheeks.
Menopausal skin is typically drier and thinner, so harsh acne treatments designed for teenage skin can worsen irritation and inflammation.
What Works Better
- Gentle cleansers with salicylic acid to unclog pores
(Always patch test first) - Avoid drying or alcohol-based acne products
- Focus on barrier repair rather than stripping the skin
10 Skincare Habits That Can Worsen Acne in Mature Skin
- Over-cleansing
- Using foaming or stripping cleansers
- Skipping moisturiser
- Over-exfoliating
- Using high-strength acne treatments too often
- Combining too many active ingredients
- Picking or squeezing spots
- Using fragranced products
- Ignoring dehydration
- Not adapting skincare as hormones change
A calm, supportive routine is key for menopausal acne.
Sensitive Skin, Rashes & Irritation During Menopause
As skin pH rises around midlife, sensitivity increases. Conditions such as eczema or rosacea may flare more easily.
What Helps
- Use fragrance-free moisturisers
- Simplify your routine if irritation appears
- Seek professional advice if dryness or rashes persist
Why Skin Heals More Slowly During Menopause
Hormones play a crucial role in wound healing. As levels drop, skin repairs itself more slowly.
Skin-Healing Tips
- Allow blemishes time to heal
- Avoid picking or over-treating
- Use nourishing, reparative skincare
Final Thoughts: What Will You Change?
Menopausal skin changes are natural but they are not something you have to simply accept. With the right skincare, supplements, and professional guidance, it’s possible to maintain strong, healthy, resilient skin throughout menopause.
If you feel unsure where to start, a dermatologist or qualified aesthetician can create a personalised plan tailored to your skin’s needs.