Menopause is a natural part of ageing that reflects the end of the reproductive years. Whilst it’s a natural transition, the hormonal fluctuations can bring with it all kinds of emotional, physical and skin-related changes. As women approach and go through menopause, they may notice skin changes, such as dryness, thinning skin, sensitivity or acne. 

Products that used to work well might now be causing discomfort or irritation, and there might be anxiety over the visible signs of ageing. Many women also experience vaginal dryness and discomfort which can make it difficult or embarrassing to seek help or choose the right skincare products.

However, by adjusting your skincare routine and finding the right skincare products for these changes, it can be possible to sail through menopause with healthy, glowing and youthful looking skin. With this in mind, let’s find out how menopause affects your skin whether it’s dry, sensitive, thinning, loss of elasticity or vaginal dryness and learn how sebamed skincare range can help. 

How does menopause affect the skin? 

Dry Skin

As oestrogen levels drop during menopause, the skin’s ability to stay hydrated decreases. This is because oestrogen helps the skin stay moisturised by producing natural oils and holding onto water. When oestrogen levels reduce, the skin can lose moisture more easily leading to dry, tight or rough skin. It’s common to experience these types of skin changes during menopause, which can be frustrating if you’ve never experienced it before. 

How to help: 

Moisturising twice daily (once in the morning and once before bed) is effective enough, but if you notice your skin feels dry throughout the day, apply more moisturiser to reduce the discomfort.

Sebamed’s scientifically proven skincare products can help soothe, protect, and care for menopausal skin. Our products are designed with a pH level that matches the natural acidity of healthy skin, which is important when skin changes during menopause. sebamed Moisturising Lotion contains ingredients like glycerin which helps to lock in the moisture and chamomile and allantoin which helps to hydrate, soothe and soften sensitive skin. 

sebamed Lip Defence Balm protects against UV rays and hydrates the lips with its natural blend of natural Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E that contains antioxidant properties to protect the skin from environmental damage and Bisabolol to soothe and regenerate.  

Sensitive Skin 

Another skin change that can happen during menopause is an increase in sensitive skin. Hormonal fluctuations and lower oestrogen levels can affect the skin’s natural barrier function, making it more susceptible to pollution, stress, UV rays and harsh skincare ingredients. This can lead to inflammation, irritation, redness, burning, itching or discomfort. 

How to help:

All sebamed skincare products have been specially formulated to support the skin’s natural microbiome with a pH level of 5.5 - this helps to maintain the skin’s natural defences and ensures your skin is fully supported throughout the changes that occur during menopause. 

As menopausal skin becomes more sensitive, it’s important to choose products that are gentle, non-irritating and free from harsh chemicals. sebamed Olive Face & Body Wash is a perfect choice for cleansing your skin while washing or showering. Not only does it contain a pH balance of 5.5 to help protect your skin’s natural defences, but it also contains a natural skincare complex of olive oil to keep your skin smooth and supple and panthenol to soothe and protect your skin. 

If your sensitive skin is suffering from acne then the sebamed Clear Face Care Gel helps to support acne prone skin. Specially formulated with Hyaluron and Aloe barbadensis, also known as Aloe Vera, it helps to soothe and moisturise the skin, whilst Allantoin has anti-inflammatory properties to reduce redness and irritation. 

Thinning and Loss of Elasticity 

Another skincare change during menopause is thinning and loss of elasticity of the skin. Not only do we see a decline in oestrogen during menopause, but we also see a decline in collagen, the protein that is responsible for keeping skin firm and plump. Oestrogen helps to produce collagen, so when oestrogen levels reduce, so do collagen levels too. This can make skin begin too thin, lose elasticity and sag. The body also produces less Coenzyme Q10, which is essential for collagen production. As a result, wrinkles and fine lines become more obvious, especially around eyes, mouth and the neck. 

How to help:

Products containing peptides, vitamin C and Coenzyme Q10 can help boost the energy production of skin cells and enhance the skin’s smoothness and elasticity. sebamed Anti-ageing Q10 Lifting Eye Cream is scientifically proven to reduce wrinkles. Formulated with Phytopeptides and Hyaluron to provide intensive moisture while natural ingredients like Shea Butter, Avocado and Almond Oil work together to smooth and nourish the skin. 

Another sebamed skincare product that can help during menopause is the sebamed Anti-ageing Wrinkle Filler as it contains a triple hylauronic acid complex. The high molecular weight hylauronic acid immediately binds moisture to the skin’s surface, while the medium molecular weight hylarionic acid penetrates the upper layers of the skin. The low molecular weight hylauronic acid absorbs more quickly and reaches the deeper layers, providing an attentive hydration and plumping effect. 

Vaginal dryness 

During menopause, we can also experience vaginal dryness. Oestrogen is responsible for maintaining the health and moisture of the vaginal tissues and when levels decline, the vaginal walls become thinner, less elastic and produce less natural lubrication. This can cause discomfort, irritation and pain during sexual activity. Menopause also affects the pH level of the vagina as the pH level increases to 6.8 which can create a more favourable environment for bacteria to grow, leading to higher risks of infections such as bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections. 

How to help: