Menopause and Your Skin: What Changes and What Helps

By DermLens AI · 11 October 2026 · 6 min read

Many people notice their skin changes around the menopause: it can feel drier and less elastic, and lines can seem to appear faster. Skin is a hormone-responsive organ, so this is not your imagination. It is also an area where marketing runs ahead of the science, so it helps to separate what is well established from what is not.

Why menopause affects skin

A 2025 narrative review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology summarises it this way: the decline in oestrogen during menopause contributes to structural and functional skin changes, including decreased collagen production, reduced elasticity and moisture loss, which show up as dryness and wrinkling. A 2025 review in Endocrine Reviews adds the bigger picture: skin is a prominent target for many hormones, and the processes behind skin ageing are tightly regulated by the body's neuroendocrine systems.

What about hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

This is the most asked question, and the research is honest about its limits. The same review reports that most studies found positive associations between HRT and improvements in skin ageing, but that findings were sometimes inconsistent. It also notes that, despite decades of research, clinical guidelines do not support using HRT solely for oestrogen-deficient skin, because there are not enough robust trials looking at skin specifically.

In plain terms: skin may improve for people taking HRT for other reasons, but HRT is not currently recommended purely as a skin treatment. Whether HRT is right for you is a decision to make with your GP or a menopause specialist, based on your whole health picture, not on skincare content.

The review also found that many women are unaware of the skin-related effects of menopause, which can affect quality of life. If your skin changes bother you, that is a valid thing to raise at an appointment.

A practical routine

The following is general dermatology guidance built on fundamentals, not a finding from the reviews above. They back the biology, not specific products.

1. Moisturise generously

If dryness is your main change, a richer moisturiser with ceramides and humectants such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid helps replace what the skin is losing. See our hyaluronic acid guide and the signs of a damaged barrier.

2. Protect from the sun every day

Sun exposure drives much of visible skin ageing on top of hormonal change. A broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, applied every morning, is the most effective thing you can do. See understanding SPF.

3. Consider a retinoid, introduced slowly

Retinoids are the best-studied topical for lines and texture. Menopausal skin can be drier and more reactive, so start with a low strength two nights a week, and pair it with moisturiser. Our retinol guide covers how, and bakuchiol vs retinol covers a gentler alternative.

4. Be gentle with cleansing

Foaming cleansers and hot water can strip already-drier skin. Use a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water.

5. Keep an eye on breakouts

Some people experience breakouts during the menopause transition. Our hormonal acne guide covers what helps, and an azelaic acid product may be worth discussing with a pharmacist.

When to talk to a doctor

• Persistent itching, a rash, or skin changes that do not improve with moisturising
• Hair thinning or loss alongside menopause symptoms
• Any new or changing mole or skin lesion
• Questions about HRT, which is a medical decision

The bottom line

Menopause changes skin through falling oestrogen, with lower collagen, less elasticity and more moisture loss. HRT may improve skin for some people, but guidelines do not recommend it solely for skin, and a doctor should guide that choice. Day to day, the basics matter most: moisturise, wear sunscreen, and consider a retinoid introduced gently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. Viscomi B, et al. Managing Menopausal Skin Changes: A Narrative Review of Skin Quality Changes, Their Aesthetic Impact, and the Actual Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Improvement. J Cosmet Dermatol, 2025. doi:10.1111/jocd.70393
2. Böhm M, et al. Endocrine Controls of Skin Aging. Endocr Rev, 2025. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnae034

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have a skin or scalp condition, or you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or dermatologist before changing your routine.