Menopausal Skin: How Peri & Post Affects Your Skin
As hormone levels drop during menopause – especially oestrogen, progesterone, and natural moisturising factors (NMFs) – your skin changes. That’s the hallmark of menopausal skin.⁽¹⁾.
Indeed, oestrogen plays a key role in collagen, ceramide, and hyaluronic acid production. It also helps maintain skin thickness and protects against UV damage⁽²⁾. So when it declines, your skin may become thinner, duller, and more dehydrated. Sorry!
You may notice:
- More fine lines and wrinkles
- Enlarged pores and sagging
- Flushing or rosacea flare-ups
- Adult acne (especially in perimenopause)
- Sensitivity or dryness that wasn’t there before
- Itching, oh, the itching.
This is normal. But it’s also something you can actively support.
Related: What Menopause Does To Your Skin
What to Look for in Menopausal Skincare
Finding products that support your skin’s evolving needs is essential. Below are a few natural, clinically supported ingredients for menopausal skin.
1. Hydration Hero: Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid helps your skin retain moisture. It holds 1000x its weight in water and helps plump and smooth your skin⁽³⁾.
Try:
- Evolve Organic Beauty Hyaluronic Serum 200
- We love the entire range of Metamorphosis by Vanessa Megan because it’s specifically formulated for you and us. But let’s go for the Chyralis Vital Collagen & Hydration Serum here.
2. Collagen Support: Peptides & Amino Acids
Peptides are protein fragments that trigger collagen production and improve skin firmness. They also reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Try:
- Evolve Multi-Peptide 360 Anti-Ageing Cream
- Environ Peptide Enriched Focus Frown Serum for advanced support
3. Gentle Glow: Bakuchiol & Retinol
Cell turnover slows during menopause, which can make skin appear dull. Retinol helps, but it can be irritating for some people – especially on sensitive skin. (That’s why you should see a pro.)
Bakuchiol is a natural alternative to Retinol that offers similar benefits without the irritation⁽⁴⁾. It boosts radiance, improves skin texture, and
fades pigmentation.
Try:
- Evolve Bio-Retinol + C Booster
- Metamorphosis RE-GEN Cell Repair Oil
- Environ Youth EssentiA C-Quence Serums (contain Retinyl Palmitate, a gentler form of retinol)
Related: Combatting Menopausal Skin Woes With Environ
Up Close: What is Bakuchiol?
Bakuchiol (buh-koo-chee-ol) is a plant-derived compound extracted from the seeds and leaves of the Psoralea corylifolia plant, commonly known as babchi. It’s been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, but it’s only recently become a buzzword in modern skincare – and with good reason.
Retinol gets all the attention – and fair enough. It’s been the gold standard in skincare for decades, thanks to its collagen-boosting, wrinkle-softening magic. But if you’ve ever tried it and wound up with dry, red, irritated skin, bakuchiol offers a natural, gentle alternative.
4. Calm Reactive Skin: Jasmine Flower + Soothing Botanicals
Red, reactive, or rosacea-prone skin? Look for soothing extracts like jasmine, oat, chaga mushroom, and green tea.
Try:
- Antipodes Jasmine Flower Menopause Facial Cream – silky, cooling, and designed for perimenopause to post-menopause skin
- Contains Jasmine Flower, Chamomile peptides, Manuka Honey, and Hyaluronic Acid and you can get it right here in our store.
5. Barrier Builders: Ceramides & Prebiotics
Skin barrier damage is common during menopause. Ceramides help lock in moisture, strengthen the barrier, and reduce sensitivity⁽⁵⁾.
Try:
- Evolve Blue Velvet Ceramide Serum
- Environ Vita-Complex Super Moisturiser
6. Brighten & Protect: Vitamin C
Vitamin C supports collagen production and helps fade age spots, pigmentation, and uneven skin tone.
Try:
- Antipodes Glow Vitamin C Brightening Serum (which you can right here in our store!)
- The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
7. Hormonal Breakouts? Try Salicylic Acid
Hormonal imbalances can cause adult acne in midlife. Salicylic Acid unclogs pores, calms inflammation, and reduces breakouts.
Try:
- Antipodes Jasmine Flower Menopause Facial Cream – targets hormonal blemishes and redness
- Environ Focus Care Clarity+ Range (mild but effective)
To buy click the brand below to get taken to store:
Final Thoughts
Menopause may change your skin, but it doesn’t mean you have to lose your glow. With the right ingredients and a little consistency, your skin can feel hydrated, soothed, and luminous again.
You deserve skincare that evolves with you, and it should feel as good as it looks.
References
- Thornton, M. J. (2013). Estrogens and aging skin. Dermato-Endocrinology, 5(2), 264–270.
- Stevenson, S., & Thornton, J. (2007). Effect of estrogens on skin aging and the potential role of SERMs. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2(3), 283–297.
- Pavicic, T. et al. (2011). Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 10(9), 990–1000.
- Dhaliwal, S. et al. (2020). Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of Bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing. British Journal of Dermatology, 180(2), 289–296.
- Voegeli, R. et al. (2007). Stratum corneum lipids and skin hydration. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 20(6), 289–296.
