Do You Really Need Menopause Skincare?

Conversations about menopause are finally (and thankfully) becoming more candid and common, with doctors, celebrities and even our friends and family helping facilitate more open discussions around what used to be a thoroughly taboo topic. But, that’s not all this increased dialogue is triggering. It’s also caused a boom in ‘menopause skincare’ ranges, which claim to help specifically target the needs of menopausal skin.

Sounds potentially useful right? – especially as women have traditionally been rather overlooked as they age. But, are these products really a lifeline for an under-served market or just another marketing gimmick that isn’t worth your hard-earned cash? Here’s what you need to know…

What happens to your skin during perimenopause and menopause?

We probably don’t have to tell anyone who has experienced it, but hormone changes,  like those that happen during perimenopause and menopause (specifically, your oestrogen levels plummeting), have a big impact on your skin.

But do we actually need menopause skincare?

Here’s the thing – just because a product says it’s designed for ‘menopausal skin’ (and you fit into that category), it doesn’t mean it’s going to be the magic cream for you.

It’s not that these products won’t work. In fact, they often do contain proven active ingredients such as retinoids for fine lines, hyaluronic acid for hydration, exfoliating acids for brightening, or potentially clever technology such as phytoestrogens. (These plant-based bioidentical hormones bind to oestrogen receptors in the skin, ‘tricking it’ into thinking there’s still oestrogen around).

Plus, these ranges can offer a clear signpost for anyone who feels a little overwhelmed with their changing skin needs.

However, and it’s a big however…

There are plenty of products already on the market that can treat menopausal skin changes – you might even be using them already! And, that’s without the potential price mark-up that having a ‘buzzword’ like menopause on the packaging might bring.

After all, just because ‘menopause’ is on the label doesn’t mean that the brightening agents inside your new product are any different from your current radiance-boosting serum. Similarly, your retinoid doesn’t suddenly get better for being placed within a ‘menopausal’ range. Menopausal skin symptoms can also be really wide-ranging. For example, you wouldn’t treat your breakouts the same way as your dryness – so these lines can sometimes be too general to see tailored results.

Ultimately, it’s important not to get caught up in the trend for ‘menopausal skincare’.You certainly don’t need to bin all your current products or overlook any new ones you are interested in that aren’t necessarily being marketed in this way.

What is the best approach for menopausal skin?

Instead, focus on building a personalised, targeted routine that suits the uniqueness of your own skin. Remember: everyone’s skin is unique and you are likely to have different concerns than your friends – regardless of whether you are experiencing menopause together. The routine you build might ultimately include products marketed as ‘for menopausal skin’ but it doesn’t have to.

Here’s our handy guide with links to the TTG shop for tailored skincare recommendations:

Morning routine

Cleanse: Choose a creamy cleanser that will be gentle on your skin to avoid disrupting your more delicate skin moisture barrier.

Exfoliate: Light and regular exfoliation with salicylic acid can help unclog pores to reduce breakouts, while alpha hydroxy acids can brighten your overall complexion.

Treat: Choose a serum that targets your key concern. If you want to brighten your skin and support collagen production, try a Vitamin C serum, while peptide serums can help firm and hydrate your skin (peptides after all are the building blocks of collagen). Niacinamide serums can help with redness and overall skin tone too, and if your skin has become drier, try hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid.

Moisturise: Lock moisture into your skin with a layer of nourishing moisturiser. (Don’t forget your neck too!).

SPF: Protect your skin from an increased risk of hyperpigmentation (and skin cancer) by applying a broad-spectrum, high factor SPF everyday.

Evening routine

Cleanse: Use the same product as in the morning, and cleanse thoroughly.

Treat: The evening is the best time to use a retinoid if you wish to (a gold-standard ingredient for encouraging skin renewal for targeting fine lines, dark spots or acne).

Moisturise: Lock moisture into your skin overnight with a layer of moisturiser, just like you did in the morning.