Portrait of a confident woman in her early fifties with greying hair and fine lines in warm window light; illustrative image

Skin during the menopause: what changes and what helps

The short answer: As oestrogen levels fall, the skin changes noticeably: it becomes drier, thinner, less elastic and often more sensitive. What matters most is not your age but the time since the menopause. Good skincare cannot stop this change, but it can cushion it considerably – with more lipids and moisture, ingredients such as vitamin A and peptides, consistent sun protection and a routine that also includes the neck and décolleté.

What oestrogen does for the skin

The skin is one of the most important target organs of oestrogen. The hormone acts on skin cells, connective tissue cells, pigment cells, hair follicles and sebaceous glands; it supports blood flow, wound healing and the defence against oxidative stress.2 When oestrogen levels fall, these effects gradually fade away.

An older British study is particularly revealing: in women after the menopause, the collagen content of the skin decreased in line with the years since the menopause – not in line with their age.1 In this phase, then, the skin does not simply "keep on" ageing; under changed hormonal conditions it ages noticeably faster.

The typical changes – and how to recognise them

  • Dryness and a feeling of tightness: The barrier holds on to moisture less well, and sebum production decreases. Many women notice this first on the cheeks, shins and hands.
  • Thinner, less elastic skin: Less collagen and elastin make lines look deeper and contours softer – especially on the neck, chin and décolleté.
  • New sensitivity: Products that were well tolerated for years suddenly sting. Redness and hot flushes in the face also increase for many women.
  • Pigmentation changes: Age spots and an uneven complexion become more visible.
  • Slower regeneration: Small injuries and irritations take longer to heal.3
  • Occasional blemishes: Because the balance of hormones shifts, some women get spots on the chin again.
Woman in her mid-fifties applying cream to her neck and décolleté with both hands in soft morning light
The neck and décolleté often change first – and are the areas most often forgotten in skincare. Illustrative image.

How to adapt your skincare

1. Cleansing: gentler than before

Foaming cleansers that used to work well now often strip the skin of too much oil. A cleansing milk or lotion is usually the better choice. You will find tips in our article How to cleanse dry skin properly.

2. Moisture and lipids: richer

The skin now needs both – moisture and oil. Hyaluronic acid binds water; lipids such as ceramides and shea butter keep it in the skin. According to the manufacturer, the IMAGE VITAL C Hydrating Intense Moisturizer combines shea butter, hyaluronic acid and stabilised vitamin C. You can read the background on hyaluronic acid in Hyaluronic acid in skincare.

3. Vitamin A and peptides: supporting the connective tissue

Vitamin A is one of the best-researched ingredients for mature skin. The IMAGE AGELESS TOTAL Repair Crème combines retinol with glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid. If you prefer to build up gently, step by step, the Environ system offers a structured path up to the Environ Vita-Antioxidant Defence Crème Plus, which the manufacturer recommends particularly for mature, sun-damaged skin. Peptide-rich care such as the Environ Tri-Peptide Complex Avance Moisturiser complements this. More on peptides: What are peptides? If you have newly developed sensitivity, the rule is: start low and increase slowly.

4. Niacinamide: for the barrier and the complexion

Niacinamide strengthens the barrier and softens pigmentation spots and redness – three issues that all increase at the same time during the menopause. Read more in Niacinamide: what vitamin B3 can do for your skin.

5. Don't forget the neck, décolleté and eyes

The skin on the neck and décolleté is thinner than on the face and loses firmness early. There is dedicated care for this zone, such as the IMAGE THE MAX Neck Lift with a peptide complex and vitamin C; you will find more products under Neck & décolleté. The skin around the eyes also becomes thinner – what helps then is covered in our article on dark circles.

6. Sun protection: every day

UV radiation breaks down additional collagen and intensifies pigmentation spots. Daily broad-spectrum protection is the most effective anti-ageing measure of all – in autumn and winter too. You will find a selection under Sun care.

Woman in her fifties wearing a wide-brimmed hat and camel coat on an autumn walk among golden leaves
Sun protection remains a must in autumn too – UV radiation continues to break down collagen. Illustrative image.

A sample routine for the menopause

Morning: gentle cleansing or just lukewarm water · serum with antioxidants or niacinamide · rich moisturiser · eye care · sun protection, on the neck and décolleté as well.

Evening: thorough, gentle cleansing · vitamin A product, at first on two to three evenings a week · on the other evenings, care with lipids and peptides · include the neck and décolleté.

Once or twice a week: a hydrating mask instead of a strong exfoliant. The skin on your body, hands and lips also needs more care now than before – rich lotions applied straight after showering keep moisture in the skin best.

What diet and lifestyle contribute

Enough sleep, exercise, not smoking and a diet with sufficient protein, healthy fats and vegetables are more important than ever for the skin during the menopause. Food supplements can complement a balanced diet, but not replace it. For the skin, the EU authorises claims for only a few nutrients, including vitamin A, biotin, niacin, riboflavin and zinc ("contributes to the maintenance of normal skin") and vitamin C for normal collagen formation. What the research shows beyond that is covered in Dry skin from within: which supplements really help. You will find the Advanced Nutrition Programme range in our shop.

Still life on linen with walnuts, ground flaxseed in a ceramic bowl, fresh salmon, leafy greens and a glass of water
Protein, healthy fats and vegetables: diet remains the foundation – supplements only complement it. Illustrative image.

And hormone therapy?

Studies show that hormone replacement therapy can have a positive effect on collagen content and skin thickness.12 Whether hormone therapy is an option for you, however, is a medical decision in which the benefits and risks for the whole body are weighed up – the skin alone is not a reason for it. Please discuss this with your gynaecologist. The Deutsche Menopause Gesellschaft (German Menopause Society) offers well-founded information. For topically applied ingredients with hormone-like effects, too, the evidence is still limited.34

New skin needs a new routine

The menopause is no reason to see your skin as a problem – but it is a good occasion to rethink your skincare. What was perfect at 40 often no longer fits at 52. World Menopause Day on 18 October5 is a good moment to take a closer look. Why professional skincare can make a difference in this phase of life is explained in Professional skincare: what really makes it better. And if you would like a routine that suits your skin now, we will gladly take the time for it in a personal skin analysis. You will also find a selection under Anti-ageing skincare.

Frequently asked questions

How does the skin change during the menopause?

As oestrogen levels fall, the skin becomes drier, thinner and less elastic, lines deepen and many women become more sensitive. Pigmentation spots become more prominent and small irritations heal more slowly. Studies show that collagen content decreases mainly in line with the years since the menopause.

What care does the skin need during the menopause?

Gentler cleansing, richer care with moisture and lipids, ingredients such as vitamin A, peptides and niacinamide, and daily sun protection. The neck, décolleté and eye area should be included in the routine. It is best to introduce new ingredients one after another and at a low concentration.

Why has my skin suddenly become so sensitive during the menopause?

Less oestrogen weakens the skin barrier and reduces sebum production. As a result, the skin loses moisture faster and reacts more strongly to irritants. Products that were well tolerated before can therefore suddenly sting. A pared-back, gentle routine helps the skin to stabilise.

Does retinol make sense during the menopause?

Yes, vitamin A is one of the best-researched ingredients for mature skin. Because the skin can be more sensitive in this phase, a slow build-up with a low concentration is advisable, at first on only a few evenings a week, together with daily sun protection.

Do food supplements help against skin ageing during the menopause?

Food supplements can complement a balanced diet, but not replace it. In the EU, only a few claims are authorised for the skin, for example for vitamin A, biotin, niacin, riboflavin and zinc for the maintenance of normal skin, and for vitamin C for normal collagen formation. You should examine any promises that go further with a critical eye.

Does hormone therapy also help the skin?

Studies show positive effects of hormone replacement therapy on collagen content and skin thickness. Whether hormone therapy is an option, however, is a medical decision in which the benefits and risks for the whole body are weighed up. Please discuss this with your gynaecologist.

References

  1. Brincat M, Moniz CJ, Studd JW et al. Long-term effects of the menopause and sex hormones on skin thickness. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1985;92(3):256–259.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3978054/
  2. Thornton MJ. Estrogens and aging skin. Dermato-Endocrinology. 2013;5(2):264–270.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3772914/
  3. Lephart ED, Naftolin F. Menopause and the Skin: Old Favorites and New Innovations in Cosmeceuticals for Estrogen-Deficient Skin. Dermatology and Therapy. 2021;11(1):53–69.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7859014/
  4. Rzepecki AK, Murase JE, Juran R et al. Estrogen-deficient skin: The role of topical therapy. International Journal of Women's Dermatology. 2019;5(2):85–90.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6451761/
  5. International Menopause Society. World Menopause Day — 18 October. IMS information page, accessed October 2026.https://www.imsociety.org/education/world-menopause-day/
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