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 or vaginal dryness and learn how sebamed skincare range can help. 

How does menopause affect the skin? 

Very 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 Liquid Face and 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 Pentavitin, Vitamins and Allantoin to keep your skin smooth, hydrated and protected.

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 Hair

During menopause, many women notice changes not only in their skin, but also in their hair. Around half of women experience thinning hair during this stage of life. As oestrogen and progesterone levels naturally decline, the hair growth cycle slows down - causing hair to become finer, weaker and more prone to shedding. 

For some, this shows up as a widening parting, thinning at the crown or along the hairline. Others find their hair has lost its usual bounce and fullness. This happens because hair takes longer to grow back, so more hair is lost than replaced, leaving hair looking thinner over time. 

How to help: 

Our award-winning sebamed Anti-hairloss Shampoo contains the unique NHE Formula with caffeine and ginkgo biloba extract. Together, these ingredients supports hair growth and structure, improves scalp circulation, and helps more nutrients reach the roots of your hair. In a 6-month German study, results showed that the telogen phase (shedding) decreased from 28% to below 20%, while 93% of users reported fuller hair and 90% saw a reduction in hair loss.

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:

Since vaginal pH tends to be more alkaline during menopause, using sebamed Intimate Feminine Wash 6.8 can help maintain the vulva’s natural moisture balance. Formulated with soothing Panthenol and Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) it helps tone the skin and reduce inflammation. It's the perfect skincare product for relieving irritation and dryness in our intimate areas.