During the perimenopause, you’re likely to notice changes to your skin. This is because your protective skin barrier doesn’t work so well as you get older. As your oestrogen levels fall, your collagen and elastin levels drop too, causing skin dryness, inflammation, itching, fine lines and wrinkles. Your skin may become more sensitive, and you may be more prone to reddening, spots and hyperpigmentation. If products you’ve used for years are no longer as effective, it’s time to adapt your skincare routine accordingly.

This article was included in issue 105 (Summer 2025) of The Menopause Exchange newsletter. 

Skincare experts recommend switching to gentle, hydrating cleansers and rich moisturisers at this time of life, while steering clear of harsh scrubs and exfoliants. Wearing high sun protection factor (SPF) sunscreens is essential to protect against sun damage. Many skincare products are specifically formulated for menopausal skin and reduce the visible signs of ageing. But you’ll need to use trial and error to discover what works for you. Obviously, if you experience any serious or significant skincare changes, or have acne, psoriasis, rosacea or eczema, it’s important to see a dermatologist.

Skincare ingredients
This article was originally intended to list menopause skincare products from reputable high street brands, including own-brand ranges from M&S, Boots and Superdrug, but there are far too many to mention here. According to the British Skin Foundation in July 2024, many skincare products that are marketed to menopausal women aren’t backed by enough (or any) research into their effectiveness or safety. Look out for the M tick on the packaging – this symbol signposts you to researched menopause-friendly products. You may find it helpful to know about skincare ingredients for ageing skin, so you can decide what’s likely to be suitable for your changing needs. Listed below are some of the main ingredients in popular products.

Humectants
Humectants are moisture magnets and include hyaluronic acid, urea, glycerin, lactic acid and glycolic acid. These ingredients attract and retain moisture, helping to hydrate your skin and give it a plumper, smoother appearance. Lactic acid and glycolic acid work as chemical exfoliants as well, which can make your skin brighter and smoother. However, both ingredients can irritate your skin – so if you have sensitive skin, build them up slowly. Some menopause skincare products contain urea, which is also recommended for very dry, itchy or scaly skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.

Retinol
Retinol, derived from vitamin A, is one of the most well-researched ingredients for menopausal and ageing skin. It’s known to help reduce visible signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles, and increase your skin’s production of collagen. It’s often found in night-time skincare products. When you first use retinol, your skin may seem irritated, red or flaky. So it’s best to start with a low-strength product twice a week, and then slowly increase how often you use it, and how much you use, until your skin can tolerate it every day and in higher strengths.

Peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that already occur naturally in your skin. These are the building blocks of proteins such as collagen and elastin and are responsible for your skin’s bounce and smoothness. Peptides in skincare products may help to stimulate natural collagen production, reduce irritation and improve skin elasticity. They’re generally well tolerated and can be used with most other skincare ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, retinol and niacinamide.

Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, giving support and structure. Before the menopause, your collagen levels can decline gradually – but in the first five years after the menopause, you can lose 30% of your collagen levels. Lower levels of collagen may make your skin thinner, weaker and more prone to bruising and damage. They can also increase fine lines and wrinkles. Using collagen containing skincare products is claimed to improve firmness, bounce and hydration. Collagen supplements (to swallow rather than put on your skin) are also very popular, with claims that they can reduce wrinkles and make your skin glow, but there’s still limited clinical research to support their use. Eating a high-protein diet in general is important as you get older.

Ceramides
Ceramides are fatty acids that help to maintain a healthy skin barrier by locking in moisture. Levels of ceramides drop at the menopause due to changes in your body’s ceramide production and formation. This is thought to be related to a fall in oestrogen at this time of life, and 2022 research in Manchester found that HRT may help to increase ceramide levels in post-menopausal women. Ceramide abnormalities are also found in some skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis and acne. Ceramides are generally free of side effects, which means they shouldn’t irritate sensitive, dry or irritated skin.

Niacinamide
Niacinamide (also known as nicotinamide) is a form of vitamin B3 that’s found naturally in various foods, including meat, liver, fish, green vegetables, nuts and cereals. It’s often used in skincare products to treat acne, eczema and other chronic inflammatory skin conditions. Niacinamide helps to reduce hormonal skin changes, regulate oil production, diminish the appearance of pores and lower skin inflammation. It’s believed to have anti-ageing properties too. Research shows that topical niacinamide (prescribed by a doctor) may be useful in the prevention of photoaging and non-melanoma skin cancers.

About the author
Victoria Goldman is a freelance health journalist and editor. She also copyedits and proofreads for UK publishers and is a crime fiction author.

Created Summer 2025
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