Dryness. Sensitivity. Fine lines. Redness. Changes in texture. Pigmentation from years of sun exposure that becomes more visible and slower to fade.
If your skin has started behaving differently during perimenopause or menopause, you're not imagining it. Hormonal changes can have a noticeable impact on the skin. As oestrogen levels change, many women experience drier, itchier or more sensitive skin, while changes in hydration, barrier function and collagen can make skin feel less resilient than it once did.
Oestrogen helps your skin hold onto water and make hyaluronic acid, so as levels fall, skin loses moisture more easily and can feel tight or itchy. Research shows women can lose around 30% of their skin's collagen in the first five years after menopause. That's why firmness and fine lines often change quite quickly. But that doesn't mean you need to completely overhaul your skincare routine or start using stronger and stronger products.
In fact, this is often the time to become more considered about what you put on your skin.
At Dr Somji Skincare, our philosophy has always been to build resilient skin that can hold up in real life - today, next year and beyond. Our approach during menopause is no different: treat what concerns you, repair the barrier and protect your skin for the long term.
So, what actually happens to your skin during menopause?
Every woman's experience is different, but hormonal changes can be accompanied by:
- Increased dryness and dehydration
- Greater sensitivity or irritation
- A feeling of tightness
- Changes in skin texture
- Breakouts or oilier patches, sometimes alongside dryness
- Itching, particularly on drier areas
- Fine lines becoming more noticeable
- Reduced firmness and elasticity
- Pigmentation becomes more noticeable
- Redness or flushing
- A slower-feeling recovery from irritation or treatments
The important thing to remember is that your skin hasn't suddenly become 'bad'. Its needs have changed.
That means your skincare should change with it.
1. Make your skin barrier a priority
One of the biggest mistakes I see is responding to changing skin by adding more active ingredients.
Skin feels rough? Exfoliate.
Skin looks dull? Add an acid.
Fine lines appear? Increase the retinol.
Pigmentation develops? Add another treatment.
The problem is that doing too much can leave the skin barrier compromised, particularly when skin is already feeling more sensitive. When the barrier is weakened, skin can lose moisture more easily and become more vulnerable to irritation. That's why I always come back to the same principle:
Before you treat more, make sure your skin can tolerate what you're already using.
Look for barrier-supporting ingredients such as ceramides, nourishing lipids, humectants and soothing ingredients, and avoid unnecessarily harsh cleansing or over-exfoliation.
Our SOM1X® complex was developed around exactly this principle. It combines Centella, marine probiotics, ceramides, MSM, blackcurrant seed oil and milk thistle extract to support the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss.
2. Don't be afraid of retinol, but respect it
Retinol remains one of the most researched skincare ingredients for improving the appearance of fine lines, uneven texture and pigmentation. But more isn't necessarily better. If your skin has become more sensitive during perimenopause or menopause, introducing a strong retinoid too quickly can lead to dryness, redness and irritation.
That's why I prefer a controlled approach to retinol. At Dr Somji Skincare, we use encapsulated retinol. The technology allows the ingredient to be released gradually, helping to improve tolerability while still delivering the benefits we want from retinol.
If you're new to retinol, start slowly. Your skin doesn't need to be peeling for a product to be working. And if your barrier is already compromised, repair first, then introduce your active treatment gradually.
3. Hydration isn't just about drinking more water
Menopausal skin can feel noticeably drier, and simply adding a heavier moisturiser isn't always the complete answer. Think about hydration at several levels:
Cleanse without stripping. Choose a cleanser that removes SPF, makeup and daily impurities without leaving your skin feeling tight afterwards.
Support the barrier. Ceramides and nourishing lipids help support the skin's protective structure.
Use humectants. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid help attract and retain water within the skin.
Seal it in. A moisturiser can help reduce moisture loss and leave skin feeling comfortable and supple.
Our Signature Serum was designed to provide a daily foundation of hydration, barrier support and skin resilience. Independent user trials found that 90%* of participants said their skin felt hydrated and 95%* agreed it felt soothed.
4. Treat your concern, not your age
One of my biggest pieces of advice is to stop thinking of menopause as a skin type. You don't have "menopause skin". You have your skin, which is changing. You might be experiencing dryness and fine lines but no pigmentation. Someone else may be dealing with redness and sensitivity. Another woman may be primarily concerned about pigmentation or loss of firmness. That's why I don't recommend an enormous menopause-specific routine with ten different products. Instead, build your routine around what your skin actually needs.
This is the Dr Somji Philosophy:
Treat
Use a targeted Concentrate for your specific concern.
Repair
Support and strengthen the skin barrier, making it more resilient.
Protect
Protect your skin from daily environmental stressors, particularly UV exposure.
Then reassess as your skin changes. It's a much more personalised approach than simply adding another product because you've reached a certain age.
5. Don't forget SPF
This doesn't change because you're going through menopause. Daily broad-spectrum SPF remains one of the most important things you can do for the long-term appearance and health of your skin. UV exposure contributes to pigmentation and collagen breakdown, so protecting your skin every morning is essential, particularly if you're using retinol or other active ingredients.
Our Vitamin C Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF30 combines daily moisturisation, antioxidant support and SPF protection as part of a simple morning routine.
6. If your skin suddenly becomes reactive, simplify
This is particularly important. If products that you've used comfortably for years suddenly start to sting, burn or leave your skin red, don't assume that you need something stronger. Sometimes your skin is telling you that it needs less. Strip your routine back temporarily:
Cleanse → repair → moisturise → protect.
Once your skin feels comfortable again, you can gradually reintroduce targeted actives. Our Exosome Barrier Repair Serum combines Water Radish Exosomes with triple ceramides and hexapeptides and is designed specifically for skin that needs additional barrier support.
A simple menopause skincare routine. You don't need a complicated routine to look after changing skin.
MORNING
1. Gentle cleanse
Use a nourishing cleanser that doesn't leave skin feeling tight.
2. Target
Apply your chosen Concentrate according to your main concern.
3. Signature Serum (original or Light)
A daily layer of hydration, barrier support and carefully selected actives.
4. Moisturiser with SPF
Finish with daily broad-spectrum sun protection.
EVENING
1. Cleanse
Remove makeup, SPF and daily build-up without stripping the skin.
2. Target
Apply your chosen Concentrate according to your main concern.
3. Repair
Use a barrier-supporting serum.
4. Retinol
If your skin tolerates it, incorporate your retinol gradually and consistently rather than using it aggressively. Our Night Recovery Cream combines encapsulated retinol with SOM1X® and other barrier-supporting ingredients. In independent user trials, more than 97%* of participants said their skin felt deeply hydrated, soft and smooth on waking.
And finally, don't blame everything on menopause
This is something I always tell patients. A change in your skin during perimenopause or menopause may be hormone-related, but not every skin change is. Persistent redness, itching, irritation, pigmentation or a new rash can have many causes. If something doesn't settle, changes significantly or concerns you, speak to your GP or a qualified dermatologist rather than assuming it's simply part of menopause. And if you're experiencing wider symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, your GP can discuss the treatment and support options available to you. For some women, HRT can also help the skin, as research shows it can improve collagen and reduce moisture loss. It's worth raising with your GP if its right for you more broadly.
Your skin is changing. Your skincare can change with it.
Menopause isn't a reason to give up on active skincare. It's a reason to become smarter about it. Focus on the fundamentals: repair the barrier, maintain hydration, introduce actives thoughtfully, target your individual concerns and protect your skin every day. Because the goal shouldn't be to fight every sign of ageing. It's to build resilient, healthy-looking skin that continues to work well for you through every stage of life.
Dr Munir Somji
*Independent user trial, 4 weeks usage, 60 participants.
