Menopause and skin: how to adjust your routine

Menopause is a transitional phase that brings many changes, and the skin is one of the first organs to show signs of these changes. Dryness, loss of firmness, and more pronounced wrinkles: many women notice rapid changes in their skin during this time. The good news is that adjusting your skincare routine can help you manage these changes.

During menopause, the drop in estrogen makes the skin more fragile: it becomes drier, thinner, and less firm, which calls for adjusting your skincare routine to focus on nourishment, collagen stimulation, and protection. Here's how to do it.

How the skin changes during menopause

Estrogens play a central role in skin health: they support the production of collagen and elastin, promote hydration by increasing the molecules that retain water, and contribute to the proper functioning of the skin barrier. Their decline during menopause therefore has direct and visible effects.

The literature is clear on this point: after menopause, the skin loses, on average, about 30% of its collagen during the first five years, and then about 2% per year. It becomes thinner, less elastic, and drier; the skin barrier weakens; wound healing slows down; and the skin may become more sensitive and duller. These changes are more closely linked to estrogen deficiency than to chronological aging alone.

Adjusting your routine: three priorities

In light of these developments, it makes sense to refocus our routine around three complementary areas.

Deeply nourish and rehydrate. Since the skin is drier and its barrier is more fragile, rich textures and moisturizing active ingredients become essential. Hyaluronic acid, whose effectiveness in promoting hydration and elasticity is well-documented, is a key ally here. The PERS Rich Cream, enriched with peptides, allantoin, and panthenol, provides nourishment and comfort while supporting skin regeneration.

Boost collagen production. To combat loss of firmness, retinol remains the gold standard ingredient: it stimulates cell turnover and collagen production. The 0.3% PERS Retinol Serum, which is gentle on the skin, should be used in the evening every other night, gradually increasing the frequency of use.

Protect. Antioxidant and sun protection remain essential, especially to preserve the remaining collagen and minimize dark spots. The 10% PERS Vitamin C Serum in the morning, followed by the PERS SPF 50+ Protection, rounds out this regimen.

A typical morning and evening routine

In practice, in the morning, gently cleanse your face, apply a vitamin C serum, a suitable moisturizer (a rich one if your skin is very dry), and then sunscreen. In the evening, cleanse, apply the retinol serum on treatment nights (every other night), followed by a nourishing cream. Don’t forget the eye area, which is particularly sensitive at this time, using the PERS Eye Cream. Consistency and gentleness are more important than the amount of product used.

What about a healthy lifestyle?

In addition to medical care, quality sleep, a balanced diet, and limiting tobacco use and excessive sun exposure all support skin health. Some women are offered hormone therapy for menopause, which can affect the skin, but this is strictly a medical decision: only your doctor can assess its appropriateness and risks in your specific situation. This article, however, focuses solely on the cosmetic aspects.

Key Takeaways

During menopause, the drop in estrogen accelerates collagen loss, causing the skin to thin and become dry. Tailoring your skincare routine around three priorities—deeply nourishing and rehydrating the skin, stimulating collagen with retinol, and protecting the skin with antioxidants and sunscreen—helps you effectively manage these changes. Combined with a healthy lifestyle and, if necessary, medical advice, a gentle and consistent routine helps the skin navigate this stage with comfort and radiance.

Scientific Sources