Understanding Menopausal Changes & How To Support Your Skin
Menopause is a completely natural stage of a woman’s life, but that doesn’t mean we always feel prepared for the changes that can accompany it.
From hot flushes and disrupted sleep to changes in mood, body composition and energy levels, menopause can affect far more than our menstrual cycle. And, of course, the skin can tell its own story.
At Emporium Treatment Clinic in Marylebone, we see many women who notice that their skin suddenly feels different during peri-menopause and menopause. It may become drier, more sensitive or less resilient. Fine lines can appear more noticeable, pigmentation may become more prominent and for some women, congestion or hormonal breakouts can make an unwelcome return.
Having a better understanding of what is happening beneath the surface can make these changes feel much less daunting and, importantly, gives us the opportunity to adapt the way we care for our skin.
What Exactly Is Menopause?
Menopause marks the point in a woman’s life when her menstrual periods permanently stop as ovarian hormone production declines. It is defined as having gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period.
The transition itself is known as peri-menopause and can begin several years before menopause. Hormone levels, particularly oestrogen and progesterone, fluctuate during this time before eventually declining.
Every woman experiences this transition differently. Some experience very few symptoms, while for others the changes can be considerable.
Common symptoms can include:
- Hot flushes
- Night sweats
- Disturbed sleep
- Changes in mood & irritability
- Headaches or migraines
- Brain fog & difficulty concentrating
- Vaginal dryness
- Changes in libido
- Urinary symptoms
- Changes in weight & body composition
- Hair thinning or changes in hair growth
- Increased skin sensitivity
- Skin dryness & dehydration
- Changes in pigmentation
- Breakouts and congestion
It is worth remembering that menopause is not an illness or something that needs to be ‘fixed’. It is a natural biological transition. The aim is rather to understand what is happening and find the right ways to support your body, your skin and your overall wellbeing.
What Happens To The Skin During Menopause?
Oestrogen plays an important role in maintaining the skin’s structure, hydration and elasticity. As hormone levels change, many women notice that their skin no longer behaves quite as it once did.
This can be frustrating, particularly when a skincare routine that has worked effectively for years suddenly seems less effective.
Dryness & Dehydration
One of the most common changes is a noticeable reduction in hydration.
The skin can feel tighter, drier and sometimes rougher, while fine lines may appear more pronounced. Reduced oestrogen can affect the skin’s ability to retain moisture and support a healthy barrier, making a good moisturiser and intelligent hydration particularly important.
This is often the time to reconsider your skincare rather than simply adding more products.
Loss Of Collagen, Firmness & Elasticity
Oestrogen also has an important relationship with collagen production and the structure of the skin.
As collagen gradually declines, the skin can lose some of its firmness, density and elasticity. Facial contours may appear less defined, particularly around the cheeks, jawline and lower face, while lines and wrinkles can become more noticeable.
This is where treatments designed to stimulate collagen and support the quality of the skin can become particularly useful.
Hormonal Breakouts
It can seem rather unfair that just as we are becoming accustomed to adult skin, spots can make a comeback.
During peri-menopause and menopause, changes in the balance between oestrogen and androgen hormones can influence sebum production and contribute to congestion and breakouts.
This can present as blocked pores, blackheads, whiteheads, inflammatory spots or, in some cases, deeper hormonal acne.
The answer isn’t necessarily to use increasingly aggressive products. Mature skin can be both congested and dehydrated, so maintaining the skin barrier while addressing congestion is key.
Pigmentation & Uneven Skin Tone
Pigmentation is another concern that can become more apparent with age and hormonal change.
Years of cumulative UV exposure, combined with changes in the skin’s behaviour during menopause, can contribute to uneven pigmentation, age spots and an increasingly uneven complexion.
Daily broad-spectrum SPF remains one of the most important anti-ageing products you can use.
Increased Sensitivity
Some menopausal skin becomes much more reactive.
Hot flushes temporarily increase skin temperature and can be accompanied by redness and perspiration. If this happens frequently, particularly in skin that is already sensitive or prone to redness, facial flushing and visible capillaries can become more noticeable.
This is one of the reasons why I believe a more considered, less aggressive approach to skincare can be particularly beneficial during this stage of life.
Caring For Menopausal Skin
There isn’t one magic product or treatment that works for every woman and there shouldn’t be.
At Emporium Treatment Clinic, the skin is looked at as a whole. Your current condition, lifestyle, skincare routine, hormonal changes and personal goals all need to be taken into consideration before deciding what will be most beneficial approach.
For menopausal skin, the foundations are relatively simple:
Protect | Hydrate | Nourish | Repair | Stimulate | Maintain
This can include:
- Daily broad-spectrum SPF
- Barrier-supporting moisturisers
- Hyaluronic acid & other hydrating ingredients
- Antioxidant protection
- Gentle exfoliation of cell turnover
- Collagen-supporting treatments
- Treatments to improve pigmentation and uneven tone
And, perhaps most importantly, do not underestimate the value of listening to your skin. What worked in your forties may not necessarily be what your skin needs in your fifties or sixties.
Menopause, Nutrition & Lifestyle
Beautiful skin isn’t created entirely in a treatment room.
A balanced diet, adequate hydration, regular movement and good sleep can all contribute to how we look and feel.
Aim for plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, seeds and good-quality protein. Oily fish provides essential fatty acids, while calcium-rich foods become increasingly important for supporting bone health as we age.
It can also be helpful to moderate alcohol and very spicy foods if you find that they trigger or intensify hot flushes.
Keeping well hydrated is important too. Around 1.5–2 litres of fluid a day is a useful general guide for many women, although individual requirements vary.
Include exercise and plenty of movement into your daily routine.
And don’t forget the less obvious to most, but equally important part, giving yourself time to wind down before bed. Sleep can become elusive during menopause, so creating a calmer evening routine can make a surprisingly big difference.
A fresh sage and mint tea can be a lovely addition to your routine during menopause, so it is certainly worth a try if you enjoy herbal teas.
Treatments For Menopausal Skin
After more than three decades of treating skin, I appreciate just how much the skin can change during this stage of life.
There are now some exceptional treatments available.
The right treatment is the one that addresses your particular skin concern and still leaves you looking like yourself.
At Emporium Treatment Clinic, near Baker Street, some of the treatments I consider particularly useful include:
Profhilo® is an injectable hyaluronic acid treatment designed to improve skin hydration and quality.
With a high concentration of hyaluronic acid, it works through a process often described as bio-remodelling, supporting improvements in hydration, loss of fat volume and overall skin quality.
For menopausal skin that feels thinner, drier or less resilient, it can be an elegant option.
Seventy Hyal® is another injectable hyaluronic acid treatment focused on hydration and skin revitalisation.
It can be particularly appealing when the skin looks tired, dehydrated or lacking its former luminosity, helping to restore a fresher, more supple appearance.
Polynucleotides are one of the more recent developments in regenerative aesthetics.
They are designed to support the skin’s natural repair processes, skin rejuvenation and improve overall skin quality.
For women noticing that their skin has formed lines, lack of skin tone and less resilient during menopause, they can be an interesting treatment to consider as part of a carefully planned skin-rejuvenation programme.
Anti-wrinkle injections can soften expression lines by temporarily reducing the movement of specific muscles.
When used thoughtfully, the objective isn’t to eliminate expression but to create a fresher, more rested appearance while retaining natural facial movement.
Dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid can be used to restore or enhance areas of lost facial volume and definition.
Depending on the individual, treatment may be considered for areas such as the cheeks, lips, chin or deeper facial folds.
The philosophy at Emporium is always less is more. Subtle refinement generally produces a far more elegant result than an obviously ‘filled’ un natural appearance.
N-Lite® Laser Collagen Regeneration
N-Lite® is a non-invasive laser treatment that uses light energy to stimulate activity within the deeper layers of the skin.
It can be incorporated into a skin-rejuvenation programme where the objective is to support collagen production and improve overall skin quality without downtime.
Radio frequency uses controlled energy to heat the deeper layers of the skin, encouraging the body’s natural regenerative response.
It can be used to support improvements in firmness and skin quality across the face, neck and body.
HIFU, high-intensity focused ultrasound, is a non-surgical treatment that targets deeper supporting structures beneath the skin.
It is often chosen by women who are beginning to notice loss of definition around the jawline, cheeks, eyes or neck and would like to encourage a firmer, more lifted appearance without surgery.
Microneedling creates controlled micro-channels within the skin to stimulate the skin’s natural repair response.
It can help improve texture, fine lines and overall skin quality and can also be combined with carefully selected topical medical grade ingredients according to the condition of the skin.
A next-generation, non-invasive treatment combining regenerative skincare science with advanced exosome technology, epigenetics and retinol derivatives to address the visible signs of ageing while supporting healthier, more resilient skin.
Designed to improve skin quality, radiance and vitality, the treatment works on multiple aspects of skin ageing and inflammation, leaving the complexion visibly smoother, brighter and more luminous from the first treatment.
Mesotherapy Bio-Revitilisation
Mesotherapy involves the introduction of selected medical grade ingredients into the skin using multiple very small injections.
Depending on the formulation and individual requirements, it can be used to support hydration, skin tone, lines, wrinkles and overall rejuvenation.
GREEN PEEL® is a plant-based herbal peeling treatment that can be adapted according to the condition of the skin and the desired outcome.
It can be particularly useful for dullness, uneven texture, lines, wrinkles, congestion and pigmentation, while supporting a more rejuvenated appearance.
Modern chemical peels are far more sophisticated than the old-fashioned idea of simply ‘peeling’ the skin.
Different acids and formulations can be selected according to your skin type and concerns, from pigmentation and congestion to dullness, uneven texture and signs of ageing.
The important part is choosing the right peel and the right strength for your individual skin.
Skin Storm – 6 Elements / HydraFacial
For women experiencing hot flushes and heat-sensitive skin, a cooling, calming facial treatment can be particularly welcome.
Our Skin Storm – 6 Elements treatment combines advanced technologies designed to cleanse, hydrate, oxygenate and revitalise the skin while creating a wonderfully cooling and de-stressing experience.
Includes Hylo Fusion Oxygen Therapy and LED Light Therapy.
Sometimes the skin simply needs to be treated gently.
A tailored treatment precisely to your skin’s individual needs. Combining advanced techniques with professional-grade skincare, we focus on achieving visible, lasting improvements.
Whether your skin needs deep cleansing and pore refinement, intensive hydration, barrier repair, brightening or rejuvenation each facial is carefully designed to restore balance, improve skin health and enhance your natural radiance.
The result is beautifully refined, healthy-looking skin that feels refreshed, balanced and luminous.
For women who are beginning to notice changes around the eyes, Plasma Eye Lift can be considered as a non-surgical approach to improving the appearance of loose or crepey skin around the eye area.
As with all treatments, suitability depends on the individual and a consultation is essential before proceeding.
Menopause Is A New Chapter, Not The End Of Youth
One of the most important things to remember is that menopause doesn’t mean you have to accept feeling invisible, tired or somehow less like ourselves.
Our skin changes. Our bodies change. And our priorities often change too.
But with the right knowledge, skincare, nutrition, lifestyle and where appropriate professional treatments, there is a great deal we can do to support the way we look and feel.
At Emporium Treatment Clinic in Marylebone, near Baker Street consultations are always personal. Angela Taffinder, a respected facialist and aesthetician takes time to understand your skin, your lifestyle, the changes you are experiencing and importantly, what you actually want to achieve.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ menopause treatment.
Sometimes the answer is a simple change to your skincare routine. Sometimes it is a course of advanced treatments. And sometimes it is a combination of both.
The starting point is always a conversation.
Our Marylebone clinic also works alongside experienced practitioners offering a range of complementary health and wellbeing services, including acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, nutrition and holistic therapies.
To discuss your menopause journey or arrange a personal consultation, contact Angela Taffinder at Emporium Treatment Clinic on 07930 661971.
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Author: Angela Taffinder the founder of Emporium Treatment Clinic. A practising Aesthetician for 37+ years, holistic and wellbeing advocate and yoga instructor. The creator of Yoga & Vitality.
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