Expert tips to keep skin hydrated, firm, and radiant during menopause

Declining estrogen during menopause impacts skin health — causing dryness, fine lines, and pigmentation. Beauty expert shares skincare, nutrition, and lifestyle tips to manage these changes. (Image: Pexels)

Menopause marks a significant transitional phase in a woman’s life—not just hormonally, but also in terms of skin health. As estrogen levels decline, many women notice changes such as dryness, thinning, sagging, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and even slower wound healing. This is the time when your skincare routine needs recalibration, with products and practices tailored to support skin through this stage of change.

Beauty expert Shahnaz Husain, Founder and Managing Director of The Shahnaz Husain Group, explains, “Begin with hydrating your skin with a moisturiser or skin cream that will help combat skin dryness. Another thing to note is that your regular face wash is not something that would work, using a hydrating face wash that would cleanse without disrupting the oil balance of your skin helps maintain optimum moisture levels. Your skin needs repair so choosing a treatment product at night time that will help repair your skin cells, boost collagen, help restore elasticity and reduce pigmentation involves choosing something like a plant stem cell, or a skin redensifying serum. The skin under your eye becomes prone to wrinkles and even dark circles, using an undereye mask will make it appear beautiful again.”

Also Read: Perimenopause and your skin: 7 skincare tweaks to keep your skin glowing and healthy

Supportive skincare routine:

Hydration becomes the cornerstone of menopausal skincare. Switching to gentle, hydrating cleansers and using moisturisers that lock in hydration can help ease dryness. Night repair serums with active ingredients such as plant stem cells or collagen boosters can work overnight to strengthen the skin barrier and restore elasticity. Since the under-eye area is particularly vulnerable, targeted eye masks can visibly soften fine lines and refresh tired eyes.

According to Husain, the safest way to supplement skin with essential nutrients is to lean on Ayurvedic remedies. Vitamins too play a vital role in maintaining skin strength and brightness. She also recommends starting early with preventive care, and adds, “Begin early on managing fine lines and dry skin issues rather than wait for it to appear after a certain age, it is always about preventive skincare. Use saffron to manage hyperpigmentation issues, turmeric is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant rich, and aloe vera a natural skin rehydrant also good for skin repair and healing.”

Nutrition, sleep, and lifestyle choices:

Skincare during menopause is not just topical; it is deeply connected to what goes inside your body. Husain emphasizes the importance of protein, breaking a common misconception and says, “First, I would like to break the myth that only people who work out require protein intake, even women need it specially when they are going through menopause, it is essential to note that your body requires additional supplements for bones, skin, muscle health and require a proper diet plan for that to stay healthy. Supplement your food with beans, tofu, fish, lean meats and lentils; these are a good source of lean protein and help in maintaining your muscle mass.”

Adequate rest is equally vital. Eight hours of quality sleep allows the body and skin to repair, while stress management ensures hormonal shifts don’t take a heavier toll. Mindfulness practices such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can calm the mind and reduce stress-related damage to the skin.

Also Read: Plant-based anti-ageing cream is the future of natural skincare, says new study

FAQs on skincare during menopause:

1. Why does my skin become drier during menopause?
As estrogen levels decline, the skin's natural moisture retention decreases, leading to dryness.

2. What kind of cleanser should I use?
Switch to a gentle, hydrating cleanser that cleanses without disrupting the skin's oil balance.

3. How can I combat sagging and wrinkles?
Incorporate night repair serums with active ingredients like plant stem cells or collagen boosters to strengthen the skin barrier and restore elasticity.

4. What can I do for the delicate under-eye area?
Use targeted eye masks to visibly soften fine lines and refresh tired eyes.

5. Are there natural remedies that can help?
Ayurvedic remedies like saffron for hyperpigmentation, turmeric for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and aloe vera for skin repair and healing can be beneficial.

6. How important is nutrition during menopause for skin health?
Proper nutrition, including protein intake from sources like beans, tofu, fish, lean meats, and lentils, is crucial for maintaining muscle mass and overall skin health.

7. Why is sleep important for my skin?
Eight hours of quality sleep allows the body and skin to repair, while stress management through mindfulness practices can prevent stress-related skin damage.

Disclaimer: This article only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific diagnosis.