Hormones wreaking havoc on your skin? Dr Dhesi, Clinical Lead at Made of More, reveals the top 5 skin concerns that occur with menopause, plus top tips on how to minimise your symptoms.

“We refer to the journey where hormone levels start to drop (typically from age 40 but some may experience these declines earlier due to other factors) and where symptoms start to take hold as perimenopause,” explains Dr Dhesi. “[Perimenopause] is the lead up to the menopause. Menopause is the date at which you haven’t had a period for 12 months.”

“During perimenopause and post-menopause, as hormones are fluctuating, skin is one of the hot spots for manifesting symptoms – did you know there are 48 peri menopausal symptoms?” shares Dr Dhesi. “We all think the term ‘hormonal skin’ relates to teenage skin but it’s hugely prevalent [in mature skin], and often takes women by surprise with no explanation as to what’s happening.”

1) Loss of collagen / elastin: “Collagen and elastin levels decline further during this period. Over the course of the menopausal journey our collagen levels drop off by 30%, which can cause further wrinkles and a general loss of skin’s plumpness."

2) Breakouts & blemishes: “As oestrogen declines, it can make androgens testosterone more prevalent causing skin to produce more oil (sebum), which in turn leads to congestion and flare ups.”

3) Increased sensitivity: “Skin can become irritated as we age for a number of reasons. Firstly, the skin is thinner due to collagen decline (interestingly, heat spikes and temperature fluctuations have a detrimental impact on collagen levels), meaning it is also less protected,” says Dr Dhesi.

“Secondly, there is a decrease in natural oil levels (generally post-menopause) which can mean a disrupted skin barrier, [and] can leave skin unusually red, dry and itchy. We typically hear that products that patients have been using for years are now longer working.”

4) Dryness: “Oestrogen is crucial for maintaining skin’s moisture levels so as oestrogen declines. So do our skin’s natural oils, which usually act like a built-in moisturiser or our natural youth serum. Our skin’s ability to retain water is also impaired,” explains Dr Dhesi.

“Lower collagen levels mean thinner skin, which can lead to a reduction in the skin barrier function, allowing moisture to escape. Overall, this results in much drier, less bouncy, parched feeling skin that never feels hydrated enough no matter how much moisturiser you use.”

5) Dullness: “A common complaint is that skin has become dull or less vibrant and looks like it has aged overnight. This is due to the fact that cell turnover is slowing down, which means skin isn’t renewing itself of old skin cells as fast as it did, which diminishes its vibrancy.”

“A good cleanser to take the daily grime off. Plus, a little bit of an exfoliation at the right time – lactic acid can help to stimulate skin cell renewal and help get rid of ageing skin cells. [And], a packed and powerful moisturiser at night to restore and renew.”

“Layer your moisturiser with an occlusive balm over the top and watch your skin’s hydration return. A balm which will maintain the skin’s barrier and lock hydration in. [Choose] a light day moisturiser - light hydration which allows makeup to be placed over the top. [Finish with] a high-factor SPF to help prevent UV damage.”