If you’ve noticed your skin changing recently - you’re not alone. Many women experience dry skin in their 40’s and 50’s as skin becomes drier, more sensitive and easily irritated than before.

These skin changes during menopause can appear earlier, with dry skin becoming more visible during perimenopause.

Let’s look at why that is…

The Skin Barrier Becomes Weaker With Age

Our skin’s protective barrier, also known as the acid mantle, is the last protective layer that protects the skin from bacteria, viruses, dehydration and irritants. When we’re younger, the skin barrier repairs itself quickly, but as we age, this process slows down. This is a common reason why women experience dry skin in their 40’s and 50’s. This is because of several factors, such as:

• The skin produces fewer lipids
• Higher skin pH levels
• Increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL) which means the skin struggles to hold onto water, making skin drier and rougher
• Hormonal changes
• UV exposure
  

Collagen Reduction

Collagen is the protein that provides the structure, support and elasticity of your skin. During your mid to late 20’s, collagen production begins to reduce which results in dry skin in your 40’s and 50’s and skin changes during menopause. You may notice:;

• Skin feels thinner
• Your skin holds less moisture and can feel drier
• Wrinkles are more visible
• Skin feels less firm
• Sagging of skin around jawline, cheeks and neck
• Skin may feel tighter than it used to be

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes can have a big impact on your skin health. During perimenopause and menopause, oestrogen hormone levels begin to drop. Oestrogen is responsible for keeping skin healthy and hydrated and helps support collagen, natural oil production and keeps the skin barrier strong. When these levels reduce during perimenopause - women can experience dry skin as well as other skin changes.

Also, when oestrogen levels drop, the skin struggles to produce sebum - which is the natural oil that keeps our skin from feeling soft and protected. Therefore, skin can often;

• Lose moisture more easily
• Skin can feel rough or tight
• Skin can become more sensitive
• Fine lines and wrinkles become more visible
• Experience extreme dryness
• Skin can become thinner
  
  

Skin Becomes More Sensitive to Products

During your 40’s and 50’s, many women notice that products they have been using for years suddenly start to cause irritation, discomfort or redness. As the skin barrier becomes weaker and thinner in your 40s and 50s, dryness is more common. So if products you’ve always loved start to feel uncomfortable, it might be time to rethink your routine.

Look for products that contain;

• pH of 5.5 - which is the same as healthy skin
• Soap-free products
• No harsh chemicals
• No parabens
• Alcohol-free
• Gentle cleanser

How To Help Dry Skin During Perimenopause and Menopause

There are many things you can do to strengthen your skin barrier and protect and nourish your skin. If you experience perimenopause dry skin or skin changes during menopause, using gentle, nourishing skincare products can make a big difference.

Focus on strengthening the skin barrier

A healthy skin barrier is vital for keeping moisture locked into the skin and preventing dryness. As your skin becomes more sensitive in your 40’s and 50’s, finding products that support your skin barrier becomes more important. The natural pH of healthy skin is 5.5, so using products that support this balance can help strengthen the skin barrier and keep your skin hydrated and smooth - especially if you struggle with dry skin in your 40’s and 50’s.

Moisturise twice daily

Moisturising twice daily can make a big difference in your skin health, especially consistently. Applying a moisturiser morning and night on dry or very dry skin helps strengthen the skin barrier and maintain moisture throughout the day. A moisturiser like our sebamed Moisturising Body Lotion contains nourishing ingredients such as Camomile and Allantoin to hydrate, soothe and soften the skin.

Choose a gentle cleanser

Most cleansers can be too alkaline and strip the skin, leaving it tight and dry - which can cause perimenopause dry skin and skin changes during menopause even worse. Choose a cleanser that is soap free, contains nourishing ingredients and counteracts the loss of lipids. Our sebamed Olive Face & Body Wash helps protect against dryness and is suitable for all skin types.

Avoid harsh products
While When your skin becomes more delicate, it’s important to avoid products that can throw off its natural balance. This includes products that contain;

• Harsh exfoliants
• Alcohol-heavy products
• No harsh chemicals
• Alkaline products
• Overly strong ingredients

Don’t make your skincare routine overly complicated

It can be tempting to try lots of different products in the hopes of fixing dryness or discomfort quickly, but too many products isn’t always a good thing. It can irritate the skin, disrupt the natural skin pH and make dryness and sensitivity worse.

Therefore, focus on a simple routine that supports your skin every day. A gentle cleanser, a p-H balanced moisturiser and UV protection can make a big difference in your skin health when you experience dry skin in your 40’s and 50’s.