Facial Skin in Menopause: Tips and Anti-Aging Treatments

Menopause is not a switch that suddenly turns on, but a journey. It is a phase of profound biological and personal transition that every woman experiences in her own unique way. As the body seeks a new balance, one of the organs that most clearly reflects this change is the skin: all it takes is a look in the mirror to notice that the face is changing in a short time.

Skin after the age of 50 starts to feel tight, looks less firm, the complexion loses its radiance, and the creams used for years suddenly seem to stop working. It is not your imagination: it is biology.

At this time of transformation, the skin is not an enemy to fight, but a need to understand and support. In LeLang laboratories, we develop formulas dedicated to changing skin, because we believe menopause can be experienced as an age of awareness. So it is not only about anti-ageing, but also about well-being, protection, and radiance: with the right dermatological knowledge and functional active ingredients, it is possible to support the skin through this phase.

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The role of hormones: why the skin changes

Before taking action, it is essential to understand what happens beneath the surface. Skin quality during the fertile years is closely linked to two hormones: oestrogen and progesterone.

Oestrogen is the skin’s best ally. It supports the production of collagen and elastin, stimulates the synthesis of hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, and helps maintain the balance of the skin barrier and the skin microbiome.

During perimenopause and with the onset of menopause, oestrogen levels fall significantly. This hormonal deficiency triggers a series of chain reactions in the skin.

How the skin changes during menopause

Dermatological research has highlighted four main issues linked to the drop in oestrogen:

• Chronic dryness and a weakened barrier: the reduction in lipids and ceramides causes water to evaporate more quickly, leaving the skin dry, rough, and fragile.
• Loss of firmness and more pronounced wrinkles: research indicates a particularly rapid loss of collagen during the first few years after menopause. Fibroblasts slow down, the skin becomes thinner and loses definition, making the eye area and nasolabial lines more pronounced.
• Dark spots and a dull complexion: slower cell turnover causes dead cells to build up, while hormonal imbalance alters melanocyte activity, encouraging hyperpigmentation.
• Late-onset acne: in some cases, the drop in oestrogen leaves the field open to androgens, causing hormonal acne around the chin and jawline.

One point worth putting into perspective: it is often said that around 30% of skin collagen is lost during the first five years of menopause. This estimate comes from studies conducted in the 1980s and 1990s and is widely cited, but individual variation is considerable and depends on genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle. The underlying message remains valid—the loss is rapid and concentrated at the beginning—but do not expect your experience to match that figure.

The new routine: how to care for menopausal skin

Does your skin feel dry? Using more cream is not enough: a different approach is needed.

Cleansing: the gentle approach

Choose oil- or cleansing-milk-based cleansing to remove makeup. Cleansing Gentle Oil protects the microbiome and soothes itching and feelings of tightness.

If you suffer from late-onset acne, Cleansing Active Mousse cleanses the pores while remaining gentle.

To stimulate cell renewal, use Mandelic Enzimatic Soft Peel once or twice a week. It gently exfoliates and improves a dull complexion.

Phytoestrogens and Kudzu

Cosmetic research has identified phytoestrogens as plant molecules with a structure similar to human oestrogen, capable of interacting with the same skin receptors. We chose Kudzu as the key ingredient in Collagenetic Serum: it helps restore density to skin that tends to become thinner. The mechanism is explored in greater depth in the article on isoflavones and puerarin.

Hydration and antioxidant protection

In the morning, protect your skin from oxidative stress with Ferulic + HA Serum, which combines vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and ferulic acid.

Then protect your skin with Spot Defence 50 SPF, to be used all year round. During menopause, sun protection matters twice as much: thinner skin with slower turnover accumulates UV damage more quickly.

At night, restore the barrier with 5 Complex Night Serum, formulated with skin-compatible oils that support skin elasticity.

More than skincare

Skin health also starts from within: a diet rich in omega-3, consistent hydration, and, following medical advice, specific supplements based on hydrolysed collagen, hyaluronic acid, or silicon. For systemic menopausal symptoms—hot flushes, sleep disturbances, and mood changes—the gynaecologist remains the point of reference: a cosmetic product acts on the appearance and comfort of the skin, not on hormonal balance.

Menopause does not mean giving up on beauty, but adopting a new approach to care. It is a time to embrace a slower routine, enveloping textures, and ingredients that, day after day, help your face tell a story of awareness and radiance. You can also find our products in partner pharmacies throughout Italy.