Perimenopause vs. menopause: a complete guide to your skin’s changes

This article is intended for information purposes only and does not constitute or replace advice from a medical professional.

Skin changes during perimenopause and menopause are common. In fact, in a study of 87 menopausal women, 64% reported either current or past skin problems, with dry skin being the most common complaint. Changes in hormone levels during this time can leave your skin feeling dry and itchy, trigger acne or eczema flare-ups and cause your skin to feel more saggy or wrinkled. Read on to find out more about skin changes during perimenopause vs menopause. We’ll look at everything from menopause acne to perimenopause itchy skin.

Perimenopause vs menopause: what’s the difference?

Perimenopause means “around the time of menopause” and refers to the time when your hormone levels start to change, but before your periods stop. You are officially in menopause when you haven’t had a period for one year. The most common age for menopause in the UK is 51, so most women will reach perimenopause in their late 40s.

Skin in perimenopause: the fluctuating phase

Your body’s fluctuating oestrogen levels can cause perimenopause itchy skin. Oestrogen is the hormone in charge of regulating your skin health. It does this by stimulating the production of natural oils that keep your skin moisturised and collagen that maintains your skin's strength and elasticity. So, when these collagen and oil levels begin to drop during perimenopause, it causes your skin to become drier than before and can leave it feeling itchy. Add excessive sweating at night or hot flushes into the mix, and this can cause further moisture loss and irritation to your skin.

Perimenopause may also cause your skin to break out in spots or even see the return of acne, especially if you suffered with it when you were younger. Higher levels of stress and anxiety during perimenopause can activate the stress hormone, androgen, which can activate the oil glands on your skin, causing a breakout.

Skin in menopause: the low oestrogen phase

When your body is officially in menopause, your oestrogen levels can decline rapidly and leave your skin feeling parched. This dryness will cause further itching and can lead to chronic itching, also known as pruritus. If you scratch your skin, you can create tiny tears in your skin barrier. The skin barrier helps to keep moisture in and bacteria out, so by damaging it, you’ll end up in a cycle of dry skin, itching and scratching.

At this stage, you may also notice your skin feels thinner, has more wrinkles or looks saggy around your jawline due to a loss in collagen. Collagen acts as the building block for your skin, so when it declines, you may notice a loss of volume in the lower half of your face.

The best skincare products and habits for both stages

Skin changes during perimenopause and menopause can be tough to deal with. Luckily, the way you treat your skin and the lifestyle habits you adopt can have a positive effect on your skin health. Here are some tips for skincare and habits during menopause.

Key ingredients for hormonal skin

The first step to looking after dry skin during menopause is to choose skin and body care products that contain ingredients that will help to hydrate and nourish your skin. Here are some key ingredients to look out for:

• Hyaluronic acid
• Ceramides
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Niacinamide

The best lotion for perimenopause dry skin contains hydrating ingredients and fewer chemicals. Focus on products that are free from fragrance, soap, alcohol and colourants. Sanex Skin Therapy Anti-Irritation Shower Oil reduces irritation in just 3 days of use*, it gently cleanses and deeply nourishes, leaving your skin visibly smoother and more hydrated.

Lifestyle habits for healthy skin

Small changes to your lifestyle can have a big impact on your skin health. Here are some tips you can use every day that can help:

• Avoid ultra-processed foods, anything spicy or greasy, takeaways and alcohol as much as possible.
• Drink plenty of water to hydrate your body from the inside. Ideally, you should be drinking two litres per day.
• Use a humidifier in your bedroom to add some moisture to the air and stop your skin from drying out.
• Wear natural fabrics like cotton, linen, silk and merino wool that allow your skin to breathe.
• Minimise daily stress as much as possible. Stress and itching go hand in hand, and one can trigger the other. Spend time outdoors, try yoga and meditation or prioritise daily exercise to move your body.

Medical treatments to consider

If you’re struggling with dry and itchy skin, your doctor may prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can help with menopause symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats by supplying your body with additional oestrogen.

This additional boost of oestrogen can improve skin hydration, texture, collagen production and elasticity, all of which impact how hydrated your skin is. However, HRT isn’t suitable for everyone, so speak to your doctor about whether this could be a good option for you.

When to see a doctor or dermatologist

If perimenopause dry skin is impacting your daily life or you’re experiencing persistent skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, you can make an appointment with your doctor about treatments or to discuss starting HRT.

FAQs

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about perimenopause vs menopause:

What are the first signs of perimenopause for your skin?

Dry and itchy skin can be one of the first skin changes you notice during perimenopause. During this time, skin conditions like eczema, rosacea or acne can also reoccur. As you progress into menopause, you may realise your skin feels thinner, has more wrinkles or notice a loss of definition and volume in your face.

Does perimenopause make your skin thin?

Yes, perimenopause can make your skin look and feel thinner, but this is usually more apparent in full menopause. Just before menopause, your body loses oestrogen quickly, and collagen production slows down. Collagen is the protein that keeps your skin looking plump and firm.

Can perimenopause cause itchy skin?

Perimenopause can cause all-over body itching due to declining oestrogen levels drying out your skin. Use our skincare tips above to try to improve your symptoms. If perimenopause itchy skin becomes unbearable or is affecting your daily life, speak to your doctor about emollient creams or potentially starting HRT.

_{*After 2 weeks of daily use, consumer study, 110 subjects, France.}