Troubled skin during menopause? Here's what you can do.

During menopause, hormonal fluctuations can seriously disrupt your skin. The decline in estrogen plays a significant role in this, which can lead to thinner, drier skin that's more prone to wrinkles.

Many women experience anxiety and insecurity about their appearance as a result.

In this blog post, we'll delve deeper into the causes and symptoms of troubled skin during menopause. I'll also give you practical tips to help your skin regain its balance.

Irritated skin during menopause is caused by hormonal fluctuations, with the drop in estrogen playing a particularly significant role.

1. Estrogen helps keep the skin hydrated and elastic. As estrogen levels decrease, the skin becomes drier, thinner, and more prone to irritation.
2. The ratio of estrogen to testosterone can also change, which sometimes leads to increased sebum production and therefore pimples or oily skin.
3. Stress and a reduced skin barrier can worsen skin problems during menopause.

Irritated skin during menopause can manifest itself in various ways. How your skin reacts to the hormonal changes, and to what extent, varies from woman to woman.

Some women experience no problems, while others experience many skin complaints.

These are the most common symptoms:

1. Dryness
2. Redness and irritation
3. Pimples and blackheads
4. Sagging and wrinkles
5. Oily or more hairy skin
6. Burning sensation

When estrogen levels drop, the skin's natural oil production decreases, causing it to lose moisture more quickly. This results in dry skin during menopause.

Your skin may feel tighter, become thinner and start to flake due to reduced hydration.

Hormonal changes make the skin more sensitive and vulnerable to external influences, such as temperature fluctuations, certain skin products, or substances.

This can lead to irritated and red skin during menopause.

The skin barrier, which protects the skin, becomes thinner and less effective, increasing the risk of irritation.

Stress and lack of sleep, which often occur during menopause, can also make this worse.

Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can increase sebum production, which can lead to pimples and blackheads.

This is because the ratio of estrogen to testosterone changes: although testosterone levels do not rise, estrogen falls more quickly, meaning that testosterone has a relatively greater effect on the skin.

This makes the skin oilier, which can lead to clogged pores and the development of acne, even if you didn't have this problem before.

The decrease in estrogen also affects the production of collagen and elastin, the substances that provide the skin with firmness and elasticity.

As this production decreases, the skin loses its firmness, causing sagging and wrinkles.

The skin can also become thinner during menopause, making sagging skin even more noticeable.

In addition, fatty tissue in the face breaks down faster, which can lead to more sagging or loose skin, especially around the jawline and cheeks.

Although sebum production decreases due to the drop in estrogen, the skin in certain areas, such as the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin), can actually become oilier.

This is due to the changed ratio between estrogen and testosterone, with testosterone having relatively more influence on the skin.

This can not only make the skin oilier, but it can also lead to more or thicker body and/or facial hair.

The drop in estrogen also affects the nerves in the skin, which can lead to a burning, itching or prickling sensation.

This is because the skin becomes thinner and drier, and the protective skin barrier weakens.

This weakened barrier makes the skin more sensitive to external factors, such as heat, cold, or certain substances in care products.

A burning sensation in the skin can occur without visible irritation and is often aggravated by stress and lack of sleep, which are more common during menopause.(1)(2)

There are several ways to soothe and care for irritated skin during menopause.

In this article, I'll focus on lesser-known but effective insights. I'll leave out obvious tips like drinking enough water and wearing sunscreen.

While these tips are important, I especially want to offer you new and surprising strategies specifically aimed at improving your skin condition during this stage of life.

Let's look at some solutions that may not have occurred to you yet.

Several studies show that smoking is one of the biggest causes of rapidly aging skin. Combined with the effects of menopause, you can address part of the cause by quitting smoking.

In an interesting twin study, identical twins, one of whom was a smoker and the other was not, were found to have noticeable differences in their faces.

The smoking twins had more wrinkles, sagging skin and other signs of aging, especially in the center and lower face.(3)

A fascinating study shows that beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant , may benefit the skin health of menopausal women.

In women over 50, a daily intake of 30 mg of beta-carotene for 90 days helped maintain skin elasticity . This low dose also supports the production of type I procollagen, which is important for firm skin.(4)

In addition, beta-carotene helps protect the skin from UV damage, which can contribute to a healthier, more youthful appearance.

So, if you want to support your skin during menopause, beta-carotene can be a valuable addition!

1. Carrots - About 300 grams (raw) or 150 grams (cooked)
2. Sweet potatoes - About 200 grams (cooked)
3. Spinach - About 400 grams (raw) or 200 grams (cooked)
4. Pumpkin - About 250 grams (cooked)

You can also supplement your beta-carotene intake with a supplement. With our Multi-Premium, you receive an extra 12 mg of beta-carotene per serving, along with other powerful antioxidants, including the golden duo: lutein and zeaxanthin (carotenoids).

Collagen is a protein that gives skin structure and firmness. After the age of 25, your body produces less collagen, leading to wrinkles and reduced skin quality. And during menopause, this process accelerates.

By using Collagen Premium , which contains Peptan® Type 1 collagen peptides, you'll give your skin a boost. These hydrolyzed peptides are easily absorbed and help your body produce new collagen.

In addition, Collagen Premium contains hyaluronic acid , which can hold up to 1,000 times its own weight in water. This provides deep hydration to the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Together with glucosamine and vitamin C , which contribute to collagen production and joint health, this formula provides powerful support for healthy, radiant skin during menopause.

Soy is rich in isoflavones, which function as phytoestrogens : plant compounds that mimic the action of estrogens in the body.

For women going through menopause, it may be beneficial to add soy to their diet, as it can help alleviate menopausal symptoms and improve skin condition.

You may have heard that soy is supposedly bad for you, and understandably so; there's a lot of debate on this topic. Often, this controversy and confusion arise from misinterpretations of research results.

But growing research shows that regularly consuming soy may actually offer health benefits for postmenopausal women.(5)

Resveratrol, found in foods like red wine, grapes, berries, and nuts, is a type of phytoestrogen. Its structure is similar to estrogen, meaning it can interact with estrogen receptors.

This makes it particularly interesting for research into aging and skin health, especially for postmenopausal women, who may experience estrogen deficiency.

1. Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the body from free radicals and cell damage. This can contribute to healthy skin cells.
2. Due to its cell-protective effect, resveratrol can help maintain a healthy aging process and support optimal cell health.

It is best to choose natural ways to soothe your irritated skin during menopause.

Sometimes, however, skin complaints are so painful or bothersome that these methods aren't effective enough. In that case, it's wise to consult your doctor or dermatologist.

Hormone therapy is an option you can discuss; you'll receive medication or a cream with specific hormones to soften your skin.

The above tips are mainly aimed at the long term.

However, if you immediately experience irritated and dry skin during menopause, here are three quick tips that can provide immediate relief.

1. Hydrate with Hyaluronic Acid - Apply a hyaluronic acid serum daily to intensely hydrate your skin. Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture and helps skin stay hydrated, which is essential for dry skin.
2. Use a Rich, Oily Cream - Choose a rich cream or oil that strengthens the skin barrier. Ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil provide long-lasting hydration and help retain moisture.
3. Avoid Irritating Ingredients - Limit the use of products containing alcohol, perfume, or harsh chemicals, which can dry or irritate your skin. Instead, choose gentle, hypoallergenic products specifically formulated for sensitive skin.
4. Try tea tree oil - This natural oil can be effective for irritated skin thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Always use it diluted and do a patch test on your wrist to see how your skin reacts.

Sources used

1. Lephart, E.D., & Naftolin, F. (2020). Menopause and the Skin: Old Favorites and New Innovations in Cosmeceuticals for Estrogen-Deficient Skin. Dermatology And Therapy , 11 (1), 53–69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-020-00468-7
2. Pivazyan, L., Avetisyan, J., Loshkareva, M., & Abdurakhmanova, A. (2023). Skin Rejuvenation in Women using Menopausal Hormone Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal Of Menopausal Medicine , 29 (3), 97. https://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.22042
3. Okada, H. C., Alleyne, B., Varghai, K., Kinder, K., & Guyuron, B. (2013). Facial Changes Caused by Smoking. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery , 132 (5), 1085–1092. https://doi.org/10.1097/prs.0b013e3182a4c20a
4. Cho, S., Lee, D. H., Won, C., Kim, S. M., Lee, S., Lee, M., & Chung, J. H. (2010). Differential Effects of Low-Dose and High-Dose Beta-Carotene Supplementation on the Signs of Photoaging and Type I Procollagen Gene Expression in Human Skin in vivo. Dermatology , 221 (2), 160–171. https://doi.org/10.1159/000305548
5. Franco, O. H., Chowdhury, R., Troup, J., Voortman, T., Kunutsor, S., Kavousi, M., Oliver-Williams, C., & Muka, T. (2016). Use of Plant-Based Therapies and Menopausal Symptoms. JAMA , 315 (23), 2554. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2016.8012
6. Lephart, E. D. (2021). Phytoestrogens (Resveratrol and Equol) for Estrogen-Deficient Skin—Controversies/Misinformation versus Anti-Aging In Vitro and Clinical Evidence via Nutraceutical-Cosmetics. International Journal Of Molecular Sciences , 22 (20), 11218. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222011218