Why Skin Changes During Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the time leading up to menopause, often starting in a woman’s late 30s or 40s, when hormone levels begin to shift. These shifts, especially a drop in estrogen, cause noticeable changes in the skin. Estrogen helps keep skin healthy by supporting collagen, oils, and moisture. As it declines, the skin barrier weakens, leading to several common issues.
One of the first signs is dryness. The skin makes less oil, called sebum, and less hyaluronic acid, which holds water. This makes skin feel tight, flaky, or rough, especially after washing. Dry patches often show up on the face, elbows, arms, legs, chest, and back. Night sweats and hot flashes from perimenopause can make dryness worse by pulling more water from the skin overnight.
Skin also gets thinner and loses elasticity. Collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm, drops quickly. Women can lose about 30 percent of their skin collagen in the first five years after menopause starts. This leads to more visible fine lines, wrinkles, sagging around the jawline, and larger-looking pores.
Sensitivity and itching are common too. With a weaker barrier, irritants get in easier, causing redness, stinging, or burning from products that once felt fine. The skin’s pH changes, making it prone to rashes, rosacea, or dermatitis. Itching hits thinner areas like the face, neck, arms, legs, and even ear canals or genitals. It often feels worse at night.
Hormonal acne can return, even if you had clear skin before. Fluctuating hormones, including more relative testosterone, boost oil glands and clog pores, leading to breakouts on the lower face and jawline.
Pigmentation shifts add uneven tone. Dark spots, melasma, or old sunspots darken, and acne marks linger longer. Years of sun exposure make these changes show up more as perimenopause begins.
These shifts happen gradually. You might notice makeup not blending well, dullness, or lines catching the light. Lifestyle factors like stress, poor sleep, or diet can speed them up, but the main driver is the estrogen drop affecting skin cells directly.
Sources
https://news.umiamihealth.org/en/how-to-care-for-your-skin-during-perimenopause-menopause/
https://www.vitacost.com/blog/perimenopause-skin-changes/
https://www.newriverdermatology.com/blog/how-to-manage-hormonal-acne-during-menopause
https://www.twentyeighthealth.com/sex-health-guide/perimenopause-itchy-skin-causes-treatment-and-prevention
https://www.draliabadi.com/menopause/menopause-and-dry-itchy-skin/
https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/menopause-itchy-skin/
https://hairgp.co.uk/hair-and-skin-changes-during-perimenopause-menopause/
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/conditions-and-treatments/perimenopause
