Menopause changes everything—your mood, your sleep, your body. And your skin? Oh, it gets hit hard. Oestrogen levels plummet, collagen takes a nosedive, and suddenly, your once-resilient skin feels like it’s betraying you. Dryness, itching, sagging—welcome to the wild ride. Here’s exactly what’s happening and how to fight back.
The Science Behind Menopausal Skin Changes
Menopause isn’t just about hot flashes and mood swings. Your skin goes through a full-blown transformation. The science can feel a little depressing, but don't despair, once we've run through the changes you may experience, we'll get into the solutions.
Here’s what happens to your skin during menopause:
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Collagen Loss – Collagen is the natural substance in your body that keeps your skin feeling plump and youthful. By the time menopause hits, collagen production drops by around 30% in the first five years. This means thinner, less elastic skin.
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Oestrogen Decline – Oestrogen keeps skin plump and hydrated. Without it, your skin barrier weakens, leading to dryness, irritation, and itching.
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Reduced Oil Production – Sebaceous glands slow down and produce less oil. While this might sound ideal for the oily skin ladies, this can leave your skin feeling parched and prone to sensitivity.
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Slower Cell Turnover – Dead skin cells linger longer, making your complexion dull and uneven.
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Increased Pigmentation – Hormonal shifts can cause hyperpigmentation, leading to age spots and uneven skin tone.
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Weakened Skin Barrier – Your skin becomes more prone to irritation, inflammation, and environmental damage due to a compromised protective layer.
How Menopause Impacts Different Areas of Your Skin
With the science out of the way, it’s time for the solutions. You deserve to thrive in this stage of life, and feel as beautiful as ever. Ageing is inevitable, and a privilege. But if you’re looking for some science-backed hacks to keep your skin glowing, plump and feeling healthy, we’ve got you.
We’ll recommend the skincare industry’s most beloved hacks for menopause skin changes, but of course, keeping well-hydrated and packing your diet full of foods rich in vitamins and minerals will always be the best accompaniment to any skincare routine.
General Skin
Your whole body starts feeling dry, tight, and itchy. It’s common to feel this more intensely at night. Some women experience prickly, crawling sensations known as formication—like bugs under the skin. Fun, right? Dehydration is the enemy of comfort, so load up on moisture.
What to use: NAYDAYA Body Blitz – a powerhouse oil that hydrates, tones, and supports elasticity.
More menopause skincare saviours here.
Face & Wrinkling
Oestrogen loss means skin gets thinner and saggier. Wrinkles deepen, fine lines become permanent, and that plump, youthful glow? It’s taking a backseat. Expect drier skin, increased sensitivity, and an overall lack of radiance.
What helps? Retinol for boosting cell turnover, peptides for rebuilding collagen, and serious hydration to combat that tight, flaky feeling. Also, antioxidants like vitamin C help to combat oxidative stress and brighten skin tone.
Neck & Décolletage
Investing in your facial routine but not your neck care? The neck is one of the first places to show signs of ageing, because the skin there is quite thin and delicate, with less oil glands than the skin on our faces. It’s also often neglected, and loaded with harsh perfumes.
Menopause accelerates skin ageing on the neck. Loose skin, crepiness, and loss of definition—oestrogen withdrawal hits hard.
Solution: NAYDAYA Neck Glory. It firms, sculpts, and boosts elasticity where you need it most.
Loose Skin on Tummy & Arms
Have you suddenly found you’ve got your mother’s arms? Collagen loss and hormonal shifts lead to sagging, particularly in areas like the stomach and upper arms. If your skin feels thinner and less resilient, that’s menopause talking.
What works: Hydration, firming actives, and collagen-boosting oils to improve elasticity and texture.
Try: NAYDAYA Body Blitz – perfect for replenishing and smoothing skin.
Intimate Skin
The vulva doesn’t escape menopause’s grip. If you’ve noticed intimate dryness, you’re not alone. Oestrogen loss leads to thinning, dryness, irritation, and increased sensitivity. Sex can become uncomfortable, and overall hydration in this area plummets.
What you need: Victory Oil. It soothes, hydrates, and restores intimate skin, bringing back comfort and elasticity.
Explore more intimate dryness solutions.
The Game Plan: How to Fight Back
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Hydrate Like It’s Your Job – Look for hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and omega-rich oils to keep moisture locked in.
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Boost Collagen – Peptides, retinol, and vitamin C work to rebuild your skin’s scaffolding.
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Soothe & Repair – Anti-inflammatory ingredients like niacinamide and bisabolol calm irritated, itchy skin.
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SPF, Always – Sun exposure accelerates collagen breakdown. Daily SPF is non-negotiable, and it’s not enough to have it mixed in with your foundation. Give SPF it’s own spot in your skincare routine.
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Targeted Care – Use menopause-specific skincare to address hydration, elasticity, and sensitivity concerns.
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Consider Hormone Therapy – Some women see benefits from hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in slowing skin ageing. Consult with a doctor to see if it’s right for you.
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Nutrition & Hydration – Eating collagen-boosting foods, staying hydrated, and supplementing with omega fatty acids can help improve skin texture from within.
For full-body support, check out The Menopause System.
External Resources
Menopause isn’t the end of good skin—it’s just a new phase. With the right approach, you can hydrate, firm, and restore your skin to keep it looking and feeling its best.