Skin

Why is my skin suddenly so dry?

By Body After FortyChecked against medical sources · 2 min read

Short answer: Oestrogen helps your skin hold water and make collagen. As it falls, skin gets drier, thinner and less springy, and after menopause it loses about 2% of its collagen a year. Daily sunscreen, a richer moisturiser, not smoking, and protein and vitamin C in your food help most.

You’ve used the same moisturiser for years. Now your cheeks feel tight by lunchtime, your neck looks crepey, and creams you’ve always used suddenly sting. Lots of women say their skin changed almost overnight. Here’s why.

Why does my skin change in perimenopause?

Oestrogen helps your skin hold on to water, make oil and build collagen, the protein that keeps it firm. As oestrogen drops, skin gets drier, thinner and less springy. One review found that after menopause, skin loses about 2% of its collagen every year, and that the change follows the years since menopause more closely than your actual age.

Why is my skin so itchy?

Dry, itchy skin is a common menopause symptom. In a survey at one UK menopause clinic, about three in four women had it, and nearly half were dealing with it alone without seeing a doctor. Some women describe a crawling or tingling feeling too. If the itching is bad, or you have a rash, see your doctor, because other things can cause it as well.

What can I eat for better skin?

No food undoes ageing, but some help your skin do its job. Your body needs protein and vitamin C to make collagen, so have protein at every meal and plenty of colourful fruit and vegetables. Oily fish like salmon and sardines give you omega-3 fats. And drink water through the day.

What simple routine helps?

  • Wear sunscreen every day, even when it’s cloudy. Sun is one of the biggest causes of lines and dark spots.
  • Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser. Hot water and harsh soap dry you out more.
  • Use a richer moisturiser than before, straight after washing while your skin is still a little damp.
  • If your skin suddenly stings, go back to basics for a few weeks, then add one new product at a time.
  • If you smoke, stopping is one of the best things you can do for your skin.

Are expensive creams and collagen powders worth it?

A cream can make your skin feel better, but it can’t put back what falling oestrogen takes away. The evidence for collagen powders on skin is mixed, and they cost a lot every month. Spend the money on sunscreen and good food first. Some studies suggest HRT helps skin, but doctors don’t prescribe it for skin alone, so talk it through along with your other symptoms.

Your skin isn’t failing. It’s changing. Look after the skin you have now, not the skin you had at 30.

Tick your skin changes on the free checklist and take it to your doctor if they bother you.

Sources

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