10 Tips for sensitive menopausal skin

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

Menopause affects all women and usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Your periods stop, along with many other physical changes to your body, like hot flushes and night sweats, and emotional symptoms like increased anxiety or irritability. During this time, changing hormone levels, most importantly declining oestrogen, can wreak havoc on your skin, and you may notice your skin is more sensitive, prone to dryness or other skin problems. Read on to find out more about menopause and sensitive skin. We’ll answer common questions, including “Is sensitive skin a symptom of menopause?”

Understanding menopausal skin

Your body’s declining oestrogen levels can cause menopausal skin sensitivity. 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 menopause, it causes your skin to become drier than before and can leave it feeling irritated or more sensitive to skincare products. Add excessive sweating at night or hot flushes into the mix, and this can cause further moisture loss and irritation to your skin.

Common symptoms of menopause sensitive skin

Here are some of the menopausal skin changes to look out for. Once you know the signs of sensitive skin, you can start to make the necessary changes to your lifestyle and routine.

• Dryness and itching, especially at night.
• Redness, flushed skin, and possibly the occurrence of skin conditions like eczema or rosacea.
• Spots or acne-prone skin, due to changing hormone levels and increased stress that’s common during menopause.
• Sun damage is common if you’ve spent a lot of your life in the sun. Age spots, irregular skin tone, thread veins and wrinkles are likely to show up now. 
• Bruising or more delicate skin, as a lack of oestrogen can make your skin thinner.
• Wrinkles, fine lines and loss of elasticity due to declining collagen and elastin.

10 Tips for sensitive menopausal skin care

Both menopause and sensitive skin can be challenging to manage. Fortunately, the way you treat your skin and the lifestyle habits you adopt can have a positive impact on your skin health. Here are some sensitive skin care tips and habits to try during menopause. 

Choose hydrating products

When it comes to skincare, stick to hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, niacinamide and vitamin C. Choose shower products specifically made to care for menopausal skin. Sanex Skin Health+ Menopause Body Wash is made to soothe and reduce tightness in both menopausal and perimenopausal skin. 

Avoid irritants

When you’re dealing with menopause and sensitive skin, gentle and nourishing products are key. Look for formulas that are free from harsh ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin more, e.g. fragrance, alcohol, sulphates and colourants. Finding good products for sensitive skin is easier when you know which ingredients to avoid.

Keep showers cool

Take warm showers and baths for around 15 minutes at a time. Longer and hotter showers can dry out and irritate your skin even more. 

Post-shower care

Pat your skin dry with a soft towel and apply moisturiser within 3 minutes of showering to help to lock in hydration. Your underarms are another unexpected area that can suffer during this time. Keep them feeling fresh and dry with Sanex Derma Care+ Antiperspirant Roll-on or Spray Deodorant, while protecting against body odour changes, hot flushes and night sweats*. 

Protect from the sun

Wear SPF50 on your face (and any part of your skin that’s showing) to protect yourself from harmful UV rays all year-round, even on cloudy days! Wear protective clothing, like long-sleeved tops and gloves, on cold days to prevent your skin from drying out more. If your skin barrier is already compromised, the sun’s UV rays can become even more harmful. Use a broad-spectrum SPF every day, and an antioxidant serum to protect your skin from the sun. 

Avoid triggers

Certain lifestyle choices can contribute to collagen loss. Smoking, sunbathing (or using sunbeds) and too much caffeine can all damage your body’s collagen and elastin levels more. 

Eat a balanced diet

Prioritise whole foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those that contain healthy fats, Omega-3 and antioxidants, like oily fish, avocados, nuts and berries. Avoid ultra-processed foods, sugar and alcohol as much as possible.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Drink plenty of water each day to keep your body hydrated from the inside. You should be aiming for around two litres per day. If you’re struggling with your water intake, add some fruit to your bottle, or set a regular alarm to remind you to take a few sips. 

Manage stress levels

Try to minimise the stress in your life and prioritise good quality sleep. Try to spend time exercising; even a walk outdoors can be beneficial. 

Keep a note of changes

If you plan on speaking to a doctor or dermatologist, keep a note of any menopausal skin changes and when they happen, along with any potential triggers you suspect.

When to seek advice for menopause and sensitive skin

If menopausal skin changes are having an impact on your daily life or you have any persistent rashes or lumps, speak to your doctor. They may suggest starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to manage your menopause symptoms if you’re a suitable candidate.

FAQs

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about menopausal skin care:

Is sensitive skin a symptom of menopause?

Yes, menopause and sensitive skin can go hand in hand. Decreasing levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone have a direct impact on the collagen, elastic and sebum levels in your skin. Less sebum (or natural oils) can mean your skin barrier becomes weakened, leaving your skin drier and susceptible to irritants. 

What are the best sensitive skin care tips?

If you’re suffering from sensitive menopausal skin, the best thing you can do is avoid harsh ingredients in your skincare products. Choose products that are free from known irritants like fragrance, sulphates, alcohol and colourants. 

How to effectively soothe and protect menopausal skin daily?

There are many things you can do to soothe menopausal skin. Prioritise hydrating and nourishing skincare products, keep showers short, use warm water instead of hot, moisturise your body with a ceramide moisturiser and use SPF every day for sun protection.