Understanding and Managing Menopause Skin Changes

Menopause brings more than just hot flashes—its impact is far-reaching, influencing nearly every aspect of a woman’s body, including the skin. While many associate menopause with women in their 40s and 50s, perimenopause—the transition leading up to menopause—can begin as early as age 35 and extend over two decades.^[1]

During this time, fluctuating hormones can cause a host of changes, including in the skin. In fact, skin changes may be one of the earlier signs of declining estrogen levels. As estrogen levels decline, visible signs like dryness, fine lines, and sagging often become more pronounced.

Skin changes during menopause

Estrogen is an MVP for skin health. It plays a role in everything from collagen stimulation,^[2] oil gland regulation, antioxidant defense, and even maintaining mitochondrial health in the skin.^[3] During the menopausal transition, estrogen levels drop significantly, which can contribute to cellular aging and menopausal skin changes.^[4]

What happens to the skin during menopause?

We know that menopause causes hot flashes, menopause-related fatigue, and those dreaded changes in weight, muscle, and body composition. But did you know it has a similar effect on our skin?

Many skin changes during menopause are due to reduced cellular energy. ^[5]Estrogens are important for mitochondrial health, our cellular powerhouses. Additionally, lower estrogen results in reduced collagen production, reduced oil gland regulation, and more oxidative stress.^[6]

Skin changes due to menopause

Everyone will experience different skin changes during menopause. Here are some of the more common effects:

1. Dryness and Itchiness: Menopause and dry skin are often associated with one another. As estrogen levels drop,^[7] the skin loses its ability to retain moisture.
2. Wrinkles and Fine Lines: Estrogen is a key player in the production of collagen, so it’s not surprising that as estrogen levels decline, so does the level of collagen. In fact, collagen levels can drop up to 30% during the first five years of the menopausal transition, leading to the development of fine lines and wrinkles.^[8]
3. Increased Sensitivity: Studies have shown that as estrogen drops, inflammation increases.^[9] Combined with changes in skin pH, many women experience increased skin sensitivity over the age of 50.^[10]
4. Adult Acne: Hormonal fluctuations during menopause may disrupt the balance of oil production in the skin, contributing to the development of adult acne.^[11] It’s also possible for you to experience reduced oil production and acne simultaneously during the early transition.
5. Uneven Pigmentation: Pigmentation or melasma is one of the many skin changes associated with menopause. ^[12]Age spots due to photodamage can also appear at this time, contributing to the development of dark spots and uneven skin tone.^[13]

How to take care of your skin during menopause?

Managing menopausal skin changes is all about promoting skin health while preventing skin degradation. Let’s take a closer look at using some proven ways you can target skin health during menopause and beyond:

Use sunscreen daily

Sunscreen is vital at any age, but during menopause, it may be even more important to protect the skin from UV damage. Studies suggest that as estrogen levels decline, the skin's natural defenses weaken, making it more susceptible to oxidative stress from sun exposure. It’s estimated that around 80% of skin aging is attributed to environmental factors like UV rays. Incorporating a mineral-based sunscreen into your routine can provide protection, helping to prevent further damage and maintain healthier, more youthful-looking skin.

Urolithin A for menopausal skin

Urolithin A (UA) may be an excellent tool to address menopausal skin changes. Urolithin A is a natural compound produced by our gut microbiome when we consume foods rich in polyphenols, such as pomegranates. It works by re-energizing our skin cells at the source, and when you have healthier, more energetic mitochondria, your cells act in a more youthful way.

Urolithin A targets the root causes of aging, boosting cellular energy, enabling skin cells to produce more collagen, and helping to protect the skin from photodamage.^[14]

Timeline’s Skincare Line is powered by Mitopure®, a clinically tested formulation of Urolithin A. And Timelines products have specifically been tested on midlife women's skin. In a clinical trial on middle-aged women (average age of 58.6 years), noticed an improvement in the visible signs of aging after just two weeks, with a significant impact after 8 weeks. ^[15]

Supercharge your moisturizer

As estrogen levels decline, the skin's ability to retain moisture decreases, leading to dryness. ^[16]This can also make the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles appear more pronounced. Using a moisturizer with deeply hydrating ingredients can help restore balance and lock in moisture. Timeline’s skincare, formulated with Shea Butter and squalane, works effectively to nourish the skin and reinforce its moisture barrier, leaving the skin smoother and more hydrated.

100% of users who tried Timeline’s The Day Cream reported that their skin felt instantly hydrated and nourished.

The Day Cream

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Redensifies the skin's appearance. Powered by Mitopure®

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Use products for sensitive skin

Many “anti-aging” skincare products marketed to midlife women contain harsh ingredients like retinol, which can irritate the skin or make it more sensitive to the sun. This is not the case with Urolithin A. Studies found no skin irritation or sensitization after a 6-week Human Repeat Insult Patch Test with 1% Mitopure-based cream - the amount of Mitopure found in Timelines Skincare Line. (a gold standard dermatology test aimed to identify skin sensitivities of an ingredient).

Additionally, our products are free from other harsh ingredients, like SLS and SLES, as well as synthetic fragrances and dyes.

Eat a skin-healthy diet

Skin health is not just about what you put on your skin; it’s also about how you nourish your body. Several foods have been identified to help support the skin during the aging process. People who regularly eat foods like fatty fish, nuts, green tea, pomegranates, and citrus fruit tend to have more youthful,^[17] healthier-looking skin, while a diet high in ultra-processed foods is linked to accelerated skin aging.^[18]

5 Reasons why Timeline Skincare may be perfect for menopausal skin

If you are looking for a skincare line to support menopausal skin changes, look no further than Timeline. Here are five reasons why.

1. Reduction in Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Users of Mitopure saw visible improvements in fine lines and wrinkles in just two weeks. By eight weeks, the improvement was statistically significant compared to placebo.
2. Better Collagen Production: Mitopure upregulates the genes responsible for collagen assembly and organization, which is essential for keeping skin firm and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
3. Protects Against Photodamage: Sun exposure is the leading cause of skin aging, but studies show that topical Mitopure helps skin cells become more resilient, protecting against harmful UV rays and sun damage.
4. Gentle Power: Unlike many anti-aging ingredients that can cause irritation, Mitopure delivers potent results without compromising skin comfort.
5. Revitlizes, Hydrates, and Brightens the Skin: In a 3-week trial of 30 healthy women aged 40 to 65, Timeline’s skincare line significantly improved skin health by addressing aging at its root cause, leaving skin more hydrated and radiant.

Menopause brings a host of changes, and skin health is no exception. ity. The good news is that by choosing the right skincare products, such as Timeline’s Mitopure-powered line, and incorporating simple lifestyle changes like sun protection and a skin-healthy diet, you can help your skin stay radiant and resilient throughout this transition.

Learn more about the power of Mitopure for your skin.

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