What’s one of the most common complaints women have about their skin after menopause? They complain that it feels dry, and it lacks the translucent luster it had in their 20s and 30s. Even worse, dry skin can be flaky and itchy and feel rough. That youthful glow is hiding behind moisture-parched skin.
One reason your skin becomes drier in mid-life is hormonal changes. As your female productive hormones, like estrogen and progesterone drop, your skin becomes thinner and the oil glands that once produced an abundance of sebum, stop producing as much.
To make matters worse, menopause reduces the ability of skin cells to renew themselves, as they did in youth. As with other cells in your body, skin cells are constantly produced as old ones are shed. This process becomes less efficient due to hormonal changes and dead skin cells start to build up. These “old” cells don’t reflect light as well, so your skin looks drier, and the build-up causes textural changes that make your skin look lackluster.
Let’s look at the ways to treat dry skin after menopause and how to create a skincare routine that works best for your needs.
Change the Way You Cleanse
If you have dry skin, avoid soap, especially soap bars. Keep cleansing twice a day but use a soap-free cleanser that contains added lubricants that will help support your skin’s natural protective barrier that reduces moisture loss. If you use a cleanser that washes off, keep the water temperature moderate to cool and gently pat your skin dry. Hot water can further disrupt your skin’s moisture barrier.
Upgrade Your Moisturizer
The moisturizer you rubbed on your face in your 20s and 30s worked fine when your skin produced more oil. But it’s no longer your dependable best friend after menopause. If you have dry skin combined with skin that’s not as youthful as it used to be, it’s time to invest in a richer, more robust moisturizer. Key ingredients to look for include hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin. These ingredients are one’s dermatologists recommend to hold moisture in.
Another option is to look for menopause-specific products: Brands now offer skincare lines specifically formulated for menopausal skin concerns, addressing issues like dryness and loss of firmness. Some ingredients that studies support for aging skin, include stem cells, growth factors, peptides, retinol, and vitamin C. Although these ingredients improve skin firmness and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, they can also cause skin redness and irritation, particularly retinol and vitamin C.
But also, be aware that some women develop adult acne that persists into menopause and beyond. If that’s the case, a rich moisturizer could clog your pores and worsen the problem. Strangely, some women have adult acne and dry skin at the same time. If that’s the case, it’s best to consult with a dermatologist.
Be sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen when you go out in the morning to protect against the damaging effects of ultraviolet light. Exposure to ultraviolet rays damage the deeper support structures in your skin, like collagen and elastin that help keep your skin firm and youthful.
Humidify Your Living Environment
Chilly weather and wind in the winter can do a number on your skin by accelerating moisture loss. One way to counter this is to humidify the air in your home. The optimal humidity level in the winter for skin health is 40 to 50%. You can get that by running a humidifier if you have a dry home. Not sure if that applies to you? You can measure the humidity in your home with an inexpensive hygrometer from a hardware store. Be sure to hydrate from the inside too by drinking plenty of water.
When you go outside in the winter, wrap a scarf around your face and neck on cold, windy days to shield any exposed skin against the harsh winds that will further dry out your skin.
Consume More Essential Fatty Acids
Rather than relying solely on moisturizers and skin creams, moisturize dry skin from the inside out. Beyond drinking more water, add more essential fatty acids to your diet. These fats help preserve and restore your skin’s natural moisture barrier that holds in water and reduces inflammation. Reliable sources include nuts, fish, and olive oil. Olive oil and nuts are also rich in antioxidants that counter cellular aging.
Change the Way You Bathe
It’s not just the skin on your face. Your entire body may feel drier, flakier, and itchier after menopause, so change the way you bathe. Avoid hot showers, as this can strip the skin of its natural oils and make it even drier. Instead, take warm, short showers. After showering, pat your skin dry with a soft towel (no rubbing) and smooth on a rich, oil-based moisturizer or cream to hold in moisture. Also, wearing loose-fitting clothing made from natural fabrics helps reduce skin irritation and further dryness.
Check Your Thyroid
If your dry skin doesn’t respond to gentler cleansing, more moisturizer, and more fatty acids in your diet, talk to your physician. The incidence of thyroid problems, especially autoimmune thyroid conditions, goes up after menopause. One of the symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland is dry skin. You might also experience hair loss, fatigue, sensitivity to cold, brain fog, or weight gain. Your healthcare provider can do a simple blood test to check whether you’re producing enough thyroid hormones or whether you have an autoimmune form of underactive thyroid called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Conclusion
Dry skin is treatable and doing so will give your skin a more youthful, radiant look. But make sure you’re using a multimodal approach – cleansing gently, applying a rich moisturizer consistently, humidifying your living environment, protecting your skin from the elements, and adding more fatty acids to your diet.
References:
- “Understanding Menopause Skin Changes and What You Can Do – Healthline.” 17 Jul. 2022, healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/menopause-skin-changes.
- “Dry Skin – National Menopause Foundation.” 09 Jan. 2020, nationalmenopausefoundation.org/dry-skin/.
- “Caring for your skin in menopause – American Academy of Dermatology.” aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/skin-care-during-menopause.
- Lephart ED, Naftolin F. Menopause, and the Skin: Old Favorites and New Innovations in Cosmeceuticals for Estrogen-Deficient Skin. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021 Feb;11(1):53-69. doi: 10.1007/s13555-020-00468-7. Epub 2020 Nov 26. PMID: 33242128; PMCID: PMC7859014.
- “Dry Skin.” National Menopause Foundation, January 9, 2020. https://nationalmenopausefoundation.org/dry-skin/.
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