“In menopause, skin quickly loses collagen.
Studies show that women’s skin loses about 30%
of its collagen during the first five years of menopause”.1
Umbrella
What may the Menopause Skin Changes Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Acne
- Dry Skin
- Formication
- Itchy Skin
- Less Elastic or “Stretchy” Skin
- Less Younger Looking Skin
- Saggy Skin
- Thinner Feeling Skin
- Wrinkly Skin
Menopause
Is there an association between menopause and skin changes?
Yes. In Caring for Your Skin In Menopause: Jowls, Slack Skin, and Wrinkles the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) elaborate on:
As collagen diminishes, our skin loses it firmness and begins to sag. Jowls appear. Permanent lines run from the tip of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Wrinkles that used to appear only with a smile or frown become visible all the time.
Later, the tip of the nose dips. You may see pouches under your eyes.
Large pores also are due to lack of skin firmness”.2
Aging
Is there an association between aging and skin changes?
Yes. In Skin Care and Aging the (United States) National Institute on Aging (NIA) elaborate on:
“Your skin changes with age. It becomes thinner, loses fat, and no longer looks as plump and smooth as it once did. Your veins and bones can be seen more easily. Scratches, cuts, or bumps can take longer to heal. Years of sun tanning or being out in the sunlight for a long time may lead to wrinkles, dryness, age spots, and even cancer. But, there are things you can do to protect your skin and to make it feel and look better”.3
In Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. What Can I Do About My Aging Skin? the NAMS also note:
“A. Aging skin undergoes loss of structural proteins (collagen) and elasticity, which creates sags and wrinkles. It also becomes less able to retain moisture, leading to increased dryness. Hormones play an important role in skin health. In particular, for women diminished levels of estrogen at menopause contribute to a decline in skin collagen and thickness”.4
Sunlight
Is there an association between sunlight and skin changes?
In Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. What Can I Do About My Aging Skin? the NAMS explain:
“Exposure to sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet (UV) light is another significant factor in skin changes. Long-term UV ray exposure causes negative effects on skin appearance, including lines, wrinkles, rough texture, and brown spots, to build up over time”.5
Skin Cancer
Is there an association between aging skin and skin cancer?
Yes. The NAMS explain:
“Aging skin also is more prone to skin cancer. For this reason, use of a good sunscreen is essential. For optimal UV protection, women should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Ideally, it should be applied every day to exposed areas and reapplied every 2 to 3 hours during outdoor activities. Avoiding the sun during peak hours (11 am to 3 pm) and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and solar protective clothing are also advised. Avoid tanning to ensure healthier, more attractive skin—tanned skin means that skin is damaged”.6
Smoking
Is there an association between smoking and skin changes?
Yes. According to the NAMS:
“In smokers, the effects of aging are more pronounced, and long-time smokers have more skin damage. Maintaining skin health is one of several good reasons not to smoke or to quit smoking”.7
Acne
Is there an association between acne and midlife?
In Caring for Your Skin In Menopause: Pimples and Other Types of Acne the AAD note:
“As levels of female hormones drop before and during menopause, some women develop teenage-like acne”.8
Are treatments for teenage acne too harsh?
In Caring for Your Skin In Menopause: Pimples and Other Types of Acne – What You Can Do the AAD explain:
- Wash acne-prone skin with a cleanser that contains salicylic acid. This helps unclog pores
- Avoid acne products that dry your skin. Drying your skin can worsen acne
- Make a dermatology appointment if you cannot get acne under control. A hormonal treatment may be necessary”.9
Formication
What is formication?
DotS the definition of formication may vary. The NAMS’s definition is:
“Formication. Irritating sensations to the skin, ranging from severe itching to phantom symptoms of “ants crawling on their skin” experienced by some perimenopausal women”.10
Dry Itchy Skin
What are some ways to help dry, itchy skin?
The NIA explain:
- Use moisturizers, like lotions, creams, or ointments, every day
- Take fewer baths or showers and use milder soap. Warm water is less drying than hot water. Don’t add bath oil to your water. It can make the tub too slippery
- Try using a humidifier, an appliance that adds moisture to a room”.11
Anti-Aging Skin Care Tips
What are some anti-aging skin care tips?
In Skin Care In Your 40s and 50s: How To Create An Anti-Aging Skin Care Plan the American Academy of Dermatology elaborate on:
- Protect your skin from the sun…
- Seek shade…
- Cover up in style…
- Slather on the sunscreen every day before going outdoors…
- Forget about indoor tanning….
- Apply moisturizer everyday…
- Wash away dirt and grime twice a day…
- Stop smoking…
- Eat healthy foods…
- Get enough sleep…”.12
Products
What products provide skin benefits?
The NAMS explain:
“A moisturizer also can minimize water loss from the skin and make it appear more hydrated. Most cream-based moisturizers contain ingredients that boost the outer layer of the skin. Other components, such as hyaluronic acid and topical retinoids, have shown to provide skin benefits”.13
Health Care Provider
What if I have some skin changes I am concerned about, including down there?
If you have some skin changes you are concerned about – anywhere – it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. The NIA note:
“Check your skin often. If you find any changes that worry you, see your doctor”.14
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause Skin Changes?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Menopause Skin Changes?
Your Country may have Links similar to:
Links
This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.New or Updated
- Centella Asiatica: The Most Popular Skin Care Ingredient You’ve Never Heard Of
- Eczema Before, During, and After Menopause
- How Does Your Skin Change During Menopause?
- Menopausal Skin Changes [18 November 2023]
- Should You Try These TikTok Skin Care Trends?
- The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
- 11 Ways To Reduce Premature Skin Aging
- 23 Foods To Eat for Healthier Skin
- 6 Incredible Benefits of Shea Butter
- 7 Ways To Prevent Wrinkles for Aging Skin
- Adult Female Acne: Why It Happens and the Emotional Toll
- Age Spots (Liver Spots)
- Aging Changes In Skin
- Anti-Aging Skin Care
- Are Face Oils Good for Your Skin?
- Bags Under Eyes
- Bakuchiol: Does It Make Skin Look Younger?
- Best Ingredients and Products for Your Anti-Aging Skin Care Routine
- Botox Injections
- Can Exercising Your Face Help You Look Younger?
- Caring for Your Skin In Menopause [+ Video: How To Care for Your Skin During Menopause]
- Centella Asiatica: The Most Popular Skin Care Ingredient You’ve Never Heard Of
- Chemical Peels
- Cosmetic Dermatology In Menopause
- Cosmetic Procedures [Topics]
- Cosmetic Surgery: What To Know Beforehand
- Cosmetics
- Dermabrasion
- Dermabrasion
- Diseases and Conditions: A To Z
- Do Caffeinated Skin Care Products Work?
- Do Retinoids Really Reduce Wrinkles?
- Don’t Put These 5 Things on Your Face
- Double Cleansing Method Explained: Should You Try It?
- Dry Skin
- Dry Skin Relief
- Dry Skin – Self-Care
- Eczema Before, During, and After Menopause
- Estriol 3% Cream for Fine Lines and Wrinkles: What the Studies Show
- Everything You Should Know About Collagen Peptides
- Face Rolling: How To Do It and Its Many Benefits
- Face Washing 101
- Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
- Facial Acids: Know What You Need In Your Skin Care Routine
- Hair & Acne – Management & Treatment
- Here’s How Menopause Affects Your Skin and Hair
- Here’s the Right Order To Apply Your Skin Care Products
- How Does Your Skin Change During Menopause?
- How To Care for Your Skin In Your 60s and 70s
- How To Get Rid of ‘Turkey Neck’
- How To Maximize Results From Anti-Aging Skin Care Products
- How To Prevent Premature Skin Aging
- How To Select Anti-Aging Skin Care Products
- How To Smooth Away Laugh Lines With or Without Surgery
- Is Cosmetic Surgery Right for Me?
- Is Rosacea Causing Your Red, Irritated Face?
- Is That Acne or Rosacea on Your Skin?
- Laser Resurfacing
- Many Ways To Firm Sagging Skin
- Mayo Clinic Minute: Moisturizer Tips From A Dermatologist
- Mayo Clinic Q&A Podcast: Regenerating Damaged Skin [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Melasma: What Are the Best Treatments?
- Menopausal Skin Changes
- Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. What Can I Do About My Aging Skin?
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit Video Series: Common Conditions Associated With Menopause and Midlife
- Menopause Preparedness Toolkit: A Woman’s Empowerment Guide
- Menopause, Skin and Common Dermatoses. Part 2: Skin Disorders
- Menopause, Skin and Common Dermatosis. Part 3: Genital Disorders
- Menopause and the Skin: Old Favorites and New Innovations In Cosmeceuticals for Estrogen-Deficient Skin
- Menopause: Understanding the Changes and Finding Relief | Dr Susan Davis | The Proof Podcast EP 256
- Micellar Water: What It Is and How To Use it
- Microdermobrasion
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery
- Retinoid or Retinol?
- Should You Try These TikTok Skin Care Trends?
- Should You Use Coconut Oil on Your Skin?
- Skin Aging
- Skin Care In Your 40s and 50s [+ Video]: Anti-Aging Skin Care Plan
- Skin Care and Aging
- Skin Care: 5 Tips for Healthy Skin
- Skin Facts! What You Need To Know About Skin Lightening Products
- Sunscreen: How To Help Protect Your Skin From the Sun
- The Best Skin Care Ingredients for Your Neck
- The Truth About Menopause Supplements | Dr Sarah Berry
- Top 10 Skin Care Tips From A Dermatologist
- Top 6 Benefits of Niacinamide
- Treatments To Reduce Wrinkles
- Understanding Popular Skin Care Ingredients
- Video Series-2022: Perimenopause, Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions
- Vitamin E for Skin: What Does It Do?
- Webinars: Symposia – Menopause: Understanding Hormonal Variations’ Impact on Skin & Scalp
- What Are the Best Foods for Healthy Skin?
- What Can Get Rid of Age Spots?
- What Is Face Tape and Does It Work?
- What Is Rosacea?
- What Is Slugging and Should You Try It?
- Why Am I Getting Acne After Menopause?
- Why Do Women Get Chin Hair?
- Why Is Topical Vitamin C Important for Skin Health?
- Why Your Face Ages and What You Can Do
- Wrinkle Creams: Your Guide To Younger Looking Skin
- Wrinkle Remedies
- Wrinkles
- Wrinkles: Diagnosis & Treatment
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Caring for Your Skin In Menopause. Jowls, Slack Skin, and Wrinkles. American Academy of Dermatology https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause Accessed: 21 November 2023
- Caring for Your Skin In Menopause. Jowls, Slack Skin, and Wrinkles. American Academy of Dermatology https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause Accessed: 21 November 2023
- Skin Care and Aging. Content Reviewed: 01 October 2017. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care-and-aging Accessed: 21 November 2023
- Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. What Can I Do About My Aging Skin? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-your-health-after-menopause Accessed: 21 November 2023
- Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. What Can I Do About My Aging Skin? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-your-health-after-menopause Accessed: 21 November 2023
- Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. What Can I Do About My Aging Skin? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-your-health-after-menopause Accessed: 21 November 2023
- Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. What Can I Do About My Aging Skin? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-your-health-after-menopause Accessed: 21 November 2023
- Caring for Your Skin In Menopause: Pimples and Other Types of Acne. American Academy of Dermatology https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause Accessed: 21 November 2023
- Caring for Your Skin In Menopause: Pimples and Other Types of Acne – What You Can Do. American Academy of Dermatology https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause Accessed: 21 November 2023
- Menopause Glossary: F – Formication. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-glossary#F Accessed: 21 November 2023
- Skin Care and Aging: Dry Skin and Itching. Content Reviewed: 01 October 2017. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care-and-aging Accessed: 21 November 2023
- Skin Care In Your 40s and 50s: Anti-Aging Skin Care Tips. American Academy of Dermatology https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/skin-care-in-your-40s-and-50s Accessed: 21 November 2023
- Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. What Can I Do About My Aging Skin? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-your-health-after-menopause Accessed: 21 November 2023
- Skin Care and Aging: Keep Your Skin Healthy. Content Reviewed: 01 October 2017. National Institute on Aging https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care-and-aging#healthy Accessed: 21 November 2023