Skin in perimenopause and menopause

Why does skin get drier and thinner in menopause?

Skin gets drier and thinner in menopause because falling oestrogen means less collagen, less thickness and fewer of the molecules that hold water in the skin. Oestrogen supports collagen production, skin thickness and the water-holding molecules in the dermis, and dry, itchy skin is on the NHS list of menopause symptoms. The loss tracks how long oestrogen has been low rather than how old you are: in a 1987 study skin collagen and thickness fell by 1 to 2% a year after menopause, and a later study of skin biopsies linked the fall in collagen to the years since menopause. In practice that means skin that feels drier and thinner, looks less firm, heals a little slower, and is more easily irritated by products that were fine before.

Why do some women get acne in perimenopause?

Acne can return in perimenopause because falling oestrogen leaves the balance tipped towards androgens, as a 2026 review of adult and perimenopausal acne describes. It tends to sit along the jaw and chin and behaves differently from teenage acne: fewer blackheads, more deep tender spots, on skin that is simultaneously dry. That combination makes standard acne advice, which assumes oily skin, actively unhelpful.

Does menopause cause hair thinning?

Yes, hair thinning and hair loss are common through menopause and appear on the NHS list of menopause and perimenopause symptoms. Female pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss in women and usually begins in the 50s or 60s. This is a GP conversation rather than a skincare one, and minoxidil and other treatments exist.

What skincare helps menopausal skin?

A topical retinoid, a richer moisturiser and daily sunscreen are the skincare steps that help menopausal skin most. A topical retinoid is the best-evidenced thing you can put on menopausal skin, for the look of fine lines and texture, introduced slowly because the skin is drier. Azelaic acid suits the acne-plus-dryness combination better than benzoyl peroxide, which commonly leaves skin dry and tense. A richer moisturiser with ceramides, and daily sunscreen, which matters more as skin thins. Take away the foaming cleanser. A MyAgenix read builds a routine around drier, more reactive skin and leaves out the harsh steps.

Does HRT help skin in menopause?

HRT can increase skin collagen and thickness, but it is prescribed for menopausal symptoms, not as a cosmetic treatment. A 2023 meta-analysis of 15 studies found menopausal hormone therapy raised skin collagen, thickness and elasticity, and its authors called for better trials. HRT is prescribed for menopause symptoms, and the decision belongs with your GP or a menopause specialist alongside everything else it affects. Be sceptical of any cream marketed as a hormonal solution: the ones that work are medicines.

General information about skin, not medical advice. MyAgenix offers cosmetic guidance to help you choose products. It does not diagnose or treat any condition. For anything that needs treating, see a pharmacist, your GP or a dermatologist.