Menopausal Skincare: What’s Happening to Your Skin (and How to Support It)
October is World Menopause Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shedding light on a stage of life that every woman experiences — yet few are truly prepared for. While menopause affects everything from mood to metabolism, one of the most visible changes happens right where we see ourselves every day: our skin.
Fine lines deepen, breakouts make an unexpected return, and that once-radiant glow can start to feel out of reach. But at Mint & Needle, we believe that menopause isn’t about losing your glow — it’s about learning how to nurture it differently.
Let’s break down what’s really happening beneath the surface, and how to support your skin through this transition with science-backed, confidence-driven care.
The Science Behind Menopausal Skin
During menopause, estrogen levels decline — and that hormonal shift impacts everything from collagen production to hydration. Your skin starts to produce less collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, the trio responsible for firmness, elasticity, and moisture.
Research shows that women can lose up to 30% of their skin’s collagen in the first five years of menopause. That can lead to:
- Thinner, more fragile skin
- Increased dryness and dullness
- Fine lines and wrinkles becoming more visible
- Slower cell turnover and rougher texture
- Breakouts or redness caused by imbalanced oil production
While these changes are natural, they’re not inevitable — and you can absolutely support your skin’s renewal process.
Step 1: Rebuild the Barrier
One of the first things that happens during menopause is a weakened skin barrier — that’s why your skin might suddenly feel tight, sensitive, or reactive. The key is to simplify your routine and focus on restoring hydration and protection.
Look for:
- Ceramides: to rebuild your barrier and lock in hydration.
- Peptides: to signal collagen renewal.
- Hyaluronic acid: to attract and bind water within the skin.
Pro tip: Swap foaming cleansers for a creamy, pH-balanced one and layer a peptide serum under your moisturizer. Your skin should feel soothed, not stripped.
Step 2: Protect What You Have
With collagen production slowing, your skin’s resilience against environmental stressors — like UV rays and pollution — also declines. Sun protection is no longer optional (even though it was never optional, now it really isn’t); it’s your daily anti-aging treatment.
Reach for a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ and layer it over antioxidant-rich serums containing vitamin C or niacinamide. These help neutralize free radicals before they accelerate visible aging.
Step 3: Reintroduce Gentle Actives
Actives like retinol, glycolic acid, and lactic acid are still your best friends — you just need to use them strategically. They help boost collagen, brighten tone, and smooth texture, but menopausal skin can be more sensitive.
Start slow:
- Use a lower concentration 2–3 nights a week.
- Alternate with hydrating or barrier-supporting serums.
- Skip layering multiple actives on the same night.
Consistency — not intensity — is the secret to results.
Step 4: Support from the Inside Out
Healthy, luminous skin starts from within. Hormonal changes can affect hydration, nutrition, and even how your skin repairs overnight.
Focus on:
- Staying hydrated (electrolytes help balance water retention).
- Eating omega-3s and antioxidants for skin strength and elasticity.
Prioritizing restorative sleep and stress management.
Professional treatments like microneedling, ultherapy, or injectables like hyperdilute radiesse or sculptra can also help rebuild structure and firmness when your body’s natural collagen slows down.
The Mint & Needle Mindset
Menopause is not a pause — it’s a shift. And with the right knowledge and care, your skin can remain radiant, hydrated, and strong through every stage of life.
This October, as we honor World Menopause Awareness Month, we want to remind every woman that beauty doesn’t fade — it evolves.
At Mint & Needle, our regenerative approach to skincare focuses on helping your skin do what it was designed to do: renew, repair, and glow. Because confidence looks good at every age.
