Best Skincare for Menopausal Skin

The legendary movie star Bette Davis once said, “Aging is not for sissies.” Well, neither is menopause. The skin changes it can bring are real—and, for many women, frustrating. Think: dryness, unexpected breakouts, fine lines, and sagging. So what exactly is going on with your skin during this stage of life? And more importantly, what can you do about it?

Ahead, we’ll break down the best skincare for menopausal skin and share a skincare guide packed with expert-backed ingredients that can help tackle everything from dryness to wrinkles—all from the comfort of home. Let’s start with what’s happening beneath the surface.

Understanding Menopausal Skin Changes

Hormonal changes leading to collagen and elastin loss

The upheaval of hormones during perimenopause (the years leading up to official menopause) is a little like puberty in reverse. When progesterone and estrogen begin their slow, jagged decline, your skin may start to reflect those shifts in the form of breakouts, dryness, or dullness. You may also notice some fine lines and skin laxity (sagging) due to a decrease in collage and elastin—the structural proteins that keep skin firm, plump, and elastic. Why? Estrogen acts like a messenger, signaling skin cells to produce more collagen. Less estrogen = less collagen.

Increased dryness and decreased skin barrier function 

If it feels like your go-to moisturizer suddenly isn’t cutting it, you’re not imagining things. Estrogen is the culprit here too. As levels of the hormone fall, your skin produces less hyaluronic acid and fewer ceramides—the natural compounds that keep skin hydrated, supple, and resilient. Without them, the skin barrier weakens, making it harder to hold onto moisture and easier for irritants to sneak in. The result: Skin that feels dry, tight, and more easily irritated, even if dryness was never an issue before. It’s one of the most common (and frustrating) skin shifts during menopause—but the right ingredients can help restore what’s been lost.

Common Menopausal Skin Concerns: From fine lines to adult acne

There are a few things going on simultaneously during perimenopause: Not only are hormone fluctuations (especially the decrease of estrogen) wreaking havoc on your skin, but you also have to contend with the effects of the natural aging process, which slows down the production of everything, including collagen, elastin, and natural lipids. In fact, studies show that collagen can decrease as much as 30% in the five years following menopause. This translates to:

• More dryness, fine lines, and sagging
• Slower skin cell turnover, causing dead skin cells build up and dull your glow
• Hormonal acne 

We know—it’s a lot. But here’s the good news: Every one of these skin concerns can be addressed and improved with the right menopause skincare routine.

7 Essential Ingredients for Menopausal Skincare

• Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring lubricating substance in the body. It’s a water-binding humectant, which means that it attracts moisture to the surface of the skin, giving an instant plumping and hydrating effect. Research shows that the production of natural HA in the skin decreases starting as early as age 25, so it’s a good idea to replenish it topically with skincare products. 
• Estriol (E3), when used in a topical estrogen cream formulated for the face, has been shown to improve collagen and elastin levels in menopausal women, as well as moisturizing the skin. When applied to the face, estriol can help minimize fine lines, plump and tighten skin. E3 is the weakest of the three estrogen hormones, and it doesn’t increase the level of hormones circulating throughout your body when used topically, making it a safe option for most women. 
• Ceramides are the natural lipids found in the skin, and, like hyaluronic acid, they decrease over time. Here’s a useful analogy to understand the role ceramides play: If the skin barrier is made up of skin cells (the bricks), then ceramides and fatty acids are the supportive mortar. When this structure is intact, it keeps water in and irritants out. But when it’s disrupted, microscopic cracks in this protective wall form, causing inflammation and irritation. Emollient ceramides help to seal in hydration (from humectants like hyaluronic acid) to keep your skin barrier intact and healthy.
• Retinol is a chemical derivative of vitamin A. It’s a milder over-the-counter analog of prescription retinoids like tretinoin. Research has proven that prescription-strength tretinoin penetrates the dermis and acts directly on skin cells to prompt production of collagen and elastin. It also regulates cell turnover and the healthy shedding of dead skin cells to help keep pores clear and brighten dull skin. Retinol has been proven in numerous studies to improve signs of photoaging, like wrinkles, brown spots and sagging by regulating skin cell turnover and stimulating collagen and elastin production. 
• Peptides are short chains of amino acids that serve as building blocks for proteins like collagen. Peptides and polypeptides (either synthetic or plant-derived) as topical ingredients have been linked to stimulating collagen production. For sensitive skin types who can’t tolerate a retinoid, a peptide product is a good plan B because peptides tend to be gentle and non-irritating.
• Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is a multi-purpose skincare ingredient that’s clinically proven to deliver lots of skin-related benefits. It has been proven to increase hydration in the upper levels of the skin, as well as having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to reduce redness and help defend against collagen degradation.  
• Vitamin C is a superhero antioxidant that defends skin against toxic free radicals from environmental damage (like UV rays and pollution) that destroy collagen and elastin. Topical vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid has been shown to reduce hyperpigmentation, and helps to brighten skin. It’s also been proven to help stimulate collagen production so it’s a win-win-win.

Daytime Skincare Routine for Menopausal Skin

No time for a 10-step routine? This simple, science-backed 3-step approach is effective and achievable—even on your busiest days.

• Step 1: Cleanse gently: Start with a mild, non-stripping cleanser that removes impurities without disrupting your skin’s natural barrier. Avoid harsh soaps and gritty scrubs—these can dry out already-dehydrated skin and throw off your skin’s pH balance, increasing the risk of inflammation and irritation.
• Step 2: Apply a serum: Layering a serum onto just-washed skin is an effective way to deliver ingredients like hyaluronic acid (HA) or niacinamide to increase hydration, or complexion-brightening vitamin C to help neutralize free radicals from environmental damage.
• Step 3: Moisturize with sunscreen: A daily moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF is essential every single day (yes, cloudy ones included). Dermatologists universally agree that the single best thing you can do to prevent damage like brown spots and wrinkles and protect collagen and elastin degradation is to protect your skin every day with sunscreen. 

Nighttime Skincare Essential Add-Ons

• Retinol or retinoid: Follow your cleansing step with a prescription retinoid like tretinoin or an over-the-counter retinol product that help boost collagen and elastin production. This active ingredient also regulates skin cell turnover to counter dullness and keep pores clear. (Retinol and retinoids are a derm go-to for treating adult acne.) This ingredient is the gold standard topical treatment for fine lines, skin laxity, hyperpigmentation, and dullness. Retinol is recommended for nighttime use because the ingredient tends to make the skin photosensitive. (Another reason why daily SPF is so important.) 
• Rich moisturizing cream or lotion: Layer on a nourishing cream that contains humectants like HA and glycerin to bring moisture to your skin and emollients such as squalene and ceramides to seal in that hydration. Using a moisturizer that also contains peptides (after your retinol) double-boosts your skin’s collagen building potential.
• Eye cream can really make a difference when used day or night because it hydrates the delicate, thin skin around your eyes. Bonus: an eye cream with hydrating HA also temporarily plumps up fine lines, like crow’s feet, instantly.  

Weekly Skincare Treatments

• Gentle exfoliation helps to slough off dead skin cells, but the key is not to overdo it. It’s important to remember that if you’re applying a retinol or a retinoid a few nights a week, then you’re already getting an exfoliating effect, so you don’t need to add another exfoliating step more than once a week—and make sure it’s a gentle chemical formulation with glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that’s associated with boosting collagen production. The bottom line: You can incorporate both retinol and an AHA active in your weekly routine, but don’t go overboard. 
• Hydrating face masks are a great way to deliver and lock in moisture. It’s also a smart follow-up step after gentle chemical exfoliation to counter potential dryness or irritation. Look for a face mask that’s packed with hydrating HA, glycerin, and anti-inflammatory aloe to calm as well as moisturize your skin.

Lifestyle and Dietary Tips for Healthy Menopausal Skin

Taking long-term care of your skin isn’t only about a smart skincare routine and the right ingredients. Focusing holistically on the rest of you will benefit your skin and help to manage menopause symptoms. 

• Balanced diet: Eating a nutritious daily diet of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains will impact your body and skin in a positive way. You want to boost your intake of essential elements like protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants that optimize skin health. While eating skin-healthy foods like olive oil or salmon doesn’t bring those fatty acids directly to your skin, they will supply it with the building blocks it needs to stay healthy. And getting a good supply of antioxidants—such as polyphenols in green tea or vitamin C—in your diet is proven to be just as good for you skin when you eat them as when you apply them topically. 
• Hydrate: Water is essential to the skin’s metabolism and regeneration, but it doesn’t hydrate your skin directly. Like the food you eat, the liquid you drink doesn’t go straight to your skin to moisturize it. Studies have found that while drinking water is beneficial for skin barrier function, the application of topical moisturizer is more effective. Be sure to drink the recommended amount (eight 8-ounce glasses a day) and remember that a good percentage of water intake comes from eating juicy fruits and veggies. 
• Regular exercise: Getting your heart pumping with walking or hiking increases blood circulation to the skin. This is the conveyor belt that replenishes everything your skin needs, including oxygen and nutrients. Not only is regular exercise proven to boost skin health, it also helps reduce stress. 
• Optimal sleep: Without enough sleep, the skin doesn’t get the chance to repair itself. While we sleep, blood flow shifts to the skin and this is when it gets busy building more collagen, draining toxins, and repairing damage. Sleep deprivation has been found to disrupt skin barrier function and increases visible signs of aging. While getting the recommended seven hours of shut-eye per night can be challenging, especially at mid-life, it’s essential to keeping your skin healthy. 
• Stress management: Stress releases the hormone cortisol, which increases the heart rate and blood pressure, and suppresses the immune system. It also impairs the skin barrier, increases inflammation, and can aggravate skin issues like acne. Why? When cortisol levels rise during stress, it triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, and the by-product can be acne. Finding de-stressing techniques that work for you, like simple deep breathing or meditation, can boost skin health and your overall wellbeing. 

Recommended Skincare Products for Menopausal Skin 

Lower levels of the hormone estrogen during perimenopause triggers a decrease in collagen and elastin (the proteins that form the structure of your skin). Why? Because estrogen is no longer firing on all cylinders to prompt the fibroblast skin cells to produce them. As we age, skin cell turnover also slows down and makes the skin look dull, and natural hyaluronic acid and ceramides that help keep the skin hydrated and supple decrease too. 

What this all means is that your skincare routine must do the heavy lifting of stimulating collagen and elastin production to keep your skin firm and to soften fine lines. You also need to use moisturizing products more than ever now to counter the lack of natural lipids in your skin. And your skincare needs to amp up skin cell turnover to brighten your complexion and keep your pores clear. 

The best products for menopause skin are the ones that specifically target dryness and aging issues. You need to include ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides in your skincare products to replenish those moisturizing factors in the skin. Using a retinol product is a smart one-and-done strategy because it not only stimulates collagen and elastin production, but also regulates skin cell turnover. Now is the time to transition to more hydrating and emollient formulas of everything, including facial cleanser and moisturizers. Don’t be afraid to layer ‘em on—starting with a hydrating serum, then a retinol lotion and top that with a richer night cream. In menopause, you can’t moisturize too much. 

Common Skincare Mistakes During Menopause

Over-exfoliating and aggressive skincare practices

Dermatologists warn against overdoing it with harsh scrubs and chemical exfoliators. Be wise with your use of exfoliating AHA and BHA acids, as well as active ingredients like retinoids and vitamin C. Don’t use these actives on the same night or layer them on, one on top of the other. This can do more harm than good and can lead to irritation of the skin’s protective barrier.

Skipping sunscreen

It bears repeating: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every single day without fail. It’s important to know that up to 80% of signs of aging come from unprotected sun exposure. Sun protection is just that: It protects your precious collagen supply from degradation, it prevents hyperpigmentation (like sunspots) and is your best safeguard against skin cancer. 

Ignoring neck and decolletage

Sun damages every part of your skin, including your neck and chest. UV rays don’t just cause brown spots—they also destroy collagen and elastin, the proteins the make your skin firm and flexible. The smart rule of thumb: Apply your skincare products—including retinol, moisturizers, and SPF—all over your neck and decolletage. 

Expert Tips and Advice

• Replenish natural moisturizing factors like ceramides and hyaluronic acid with moisturizers that contain those emollient and humectant ingredients. Moisturize at every step in your routine, from cleansing with a mild, hydrating face wash to applying richer creams and lotions.
• Stimulate collagen and elastin production with a topical retinol product. Retinol is a gold standard skincare ingredient because it works so many wonders. Besides boosting collagen and elastin, it also regulates skin cell turnover that slows with age and helps prevent acne breakouts. Dermatologists recommend incorporating a retinol into your routine, starting at twice a week and working up to every other night. 
• Use SPF every single day. It’s not just menopause that’s aging your skin. UV damage is the prime culprit when it comes to visible signs of aging. (Plus, using a retinol makes skin more sensitive to the sun.) Applying a daily moisturizer with broad-spectrum sunscreen that’s a minimum of SPF 30 over your face and neck is one of the most effective anti-aging moves you can do.    

When to consult a skincare professional for personalized advice?

If your skin symptoms, whether hormonal acne or extreme dryness, is not being improved by your new menopause skincare products and routine, then it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor for expert advice, and perhaps a prescription that can address your particular issues more effectively. A prescription-strength oral or topical medication might be the answer, or you can talk to a healthcare professional about hormone therapy, which can be a game-changer for treating many perimenopause symptoms. 

Key Takeaways

• During perimenopause, there’s a steady decline of estrogen, the hormone that stimulates the production of collagen and elastin—the proteins that provide scaffolding for the skin.
• At the same time, much less natural hyaluronic acid (HA) and moisturizing ceramides are being produced.
• The result: Menopause skin issues including extreme dryness, skin laxity, and fine lines. Hormonal acne can also occur due to the fluctuation of hormones during perimenopause.
• Now is the time to be proactive about your skincare strategy because there’s a lot you can do to improve menopause skin issues. The right ingredients, like moisturizing hyaluronic acid and ceramides in serums, lotions, and creams can go a long way to effectively replenishing those natural moisturizing factors in the skin
• Moisturize at every step of your AM and PM skincare routines to replenish hydration and to restore the protective skin barrier, the outermost layer of the skin that is impaired when it’s dried out because there’s not enough moisture in the skin. This is when you should use a mild hydrating cleanser, a hydrating serum, and a rich moisturizer to seal water into the skin.
• Use a retinol or a prescription retinoid like tretinoin on the regular (starting with two nights a week and working up to every other night). This will help stimulate the production of collagen and elastin from the outside in, and regulate skin cell turnover that slows with age. By revving that turnover, dead skin cells that cause dullness naturally slough off and are replaced by fresh new skin cells. This action also keeps pores unclogged, which helps prevent acne breakouts. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do dermatologists recommend for menopausal skin?

Doctors suggest focusing on a good menopause skincare routine that includes essential ingredients like collagen-boosting retinol and hydrating hyaluronic acid. Now is the time to get serious about moisturizing and using the right active ingredients, like gold standard anti-ager retinol.

What is the best face cream for menopause?

At night, a face cream that contains retinol or one that has peptides (you can alternate between them every other night) will help boost collagen production as it moisturizes and restores your skin barrier. During the day, be sure to protect your skin (and your precious collagen supply) by wearing a daily moisturizer with broad-spectrum sun protection of SPF 30 at the minimum. 

What is the best thing for menopausal skin?

Moisturize at every step and boost collagen topically with a retinol product. Protect your skin with SPF every single day, and don’t neglect your neck and decolletage area. Treat your neck like your face—with collagen-stimulating peptides and retinol, with protective SPF, and lots of moisturizing lipids and emollients because the skin on your neck is thinner than on your face. 

What is the best skincare for aging skin over 50?

Now is the time to be proactive about preventing damage (like brown spots and fine lines) with diligent daily SPF on your face, neck, and any exposed areas of skin. Using an antioxidant vitamin C product can help defend your skin and protect your collagen from UV damage too. And get serious about building collagen by using skincare products that contain retinol and peptides. Finally, use hydrating and moisture-replenishing products at every step of your skincare routine to support a healthy protective barrier, plump the skin (and fine lines), and counter dryness.