Menopause & Moisturizer: Why My Skin Finally Called My Bluff

by Lisa Simone September 26, 2025

For most of my life, I was a skincare minimalist, at least when it came to moisturizer. As an esthetician, I had access to every serum, cream, and potion under the sun, but I simply didn’t like the feel of moisturizer on my face. For decades, my routine was simple: a well-formulated serum, a diligent sunscreen, and off I went. My skin thrived, until I hit my forties.

Suddenly, the rules changed. My once self-sufficient skin started whispering for help, and then shouting for it. Tightness, dryness, fine lines that didn’t bounce back the way they used to. Moisturizer, my old frenemy, was no longer optional. It became essential. And this was the moment I realized what so many women navigating menopause already knew: when your hormones shift, your skin shifts with them.

Let’s dive into the science, the real-life challenges, and the best professional and at-home strategies to help your skin through this chapter.

What Actually Happens to Skin During Menopause?

Estrogen is one of the skin’s biggest cheerleaders. When levels start to dip in perimenopause and menopause, skin loses its natural cushioning and support. Here’s what’s really going on:

Collagen Decline: Studies show women can lose up to 30% of their skin’s collagen in the first five years of menopause. This leads to sagging, fine lines, and thinner skin.
Elastin Loss: Without elastin support, skin isn’t as “snappy” or resilient as it once was.
Dryness & Barrier Changes: Hormonal shifts weaken the lipid barrier, making it harder to retain water and easier to lose hydration (aka transepidermal water loss).
pH Shifts: The skin’s pH slightly rises, which disrupts the microbiome and can increase sensitivity and reactivity.
Pigmentation: Age spots and uneven tone often appear more prominently during and after menopause, thanks to a lifetime of sun exposure combined with hormone changes.

It’s not just about wrinkles—it’s about how the skin functions. Think of estrogen as the body’s natural moisturizer and strength-builder. When it decreases, skin needs more outside support.

The Good News: Targeted Skincare Really Works

Here’s where science, technology, and the right products can step in to support your skin through these changes.

1. Vitamin A: The Skin’s Best Friend

If I had to crown one hero ingredient for menopausal skin, it would be Vitamin A. Environ’s Youth EssentiA line is a favorite for this stage of life because it delivers a cocktail of vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides that actively communicate with your skin cells. Vitamin A encourages cell turnover, strengthens skin, and helps restore that elusive bounce. The peptides? They act like little trainers in the gym, reminding your collagen and elastin to keep working.

2. Gentle Exfoliation: Out With the Old

Thinning, sensitized skin doesn’t need harsh scrubs—it needs enzyme-based exfoliation. I recommend the MBR Enzyme Booster Cleanser a few times a week for a smooth, refined surface. Paired with the Environ Revival Masque, you’ll notice brighter, more resilient skin without the irritation that often comes with aggressive exfoliants.

3. Hydration & Omegas: Cushion Your Skin

Moisture becomes non-negotiable, both topically and internally. One of my go-tos for topical omegas is Rhonda Allison’s Drop of Essence, a nourishing oil that restores softness and elasticity. Internally, the Advanced Nutrition Programme Omega Supplements help reduce inflammation, plump skin from within, and support barrier function. Think of them as a hydration insurance policy for your skin.

Professional Treatments: Layering Technology With Care

In the treatment room, my approach to menopausal skin is about balance—stimulating renewal without overwhelming compromised skin.

Microchanneling: Creates controlled micro-injuries that stimulate collagen and elastin while allowing powerful serums to penetrate deeper.
Peels: Gentle, strategic exfoliation with medical-grade peels helps clear away sluggish cells and kickstart renewal.

The sweet spot? Alternating microchanneling and peels every four weeks. This cadence gives skin time to heal, adapt, and thrive—building strength over time instead of shocking it all at once.

Lifestyle Matters, Too

Skincare products and treatments are powerful, but they’re only part of the picture. Lifestyle choices make a huge difference during menopause.

Sleep: During deep sleep, the skin repairs itself. Poor sleep (common during menopause) can slow collagen production.
Stress: High cortisol levels break down collagen faster—another reason to prioritize stress management.
Diet: Eating enough protein supports collagen and muscle tone. Phytoestrogens (soy, flax, chickpeas) may help balance hormone shifts. And hydration—yes, boring but essential—keeps cells plump.
Exercise: Gentle, regular movement increases circulation and oxygenation, which directly boosts radiance and skin healing.

Overlooked Skin Changes to Watch For

While dryness and wrinkles get the most attention, other menopause-related skin concerns are worth mentioning:

Pigmentation & Age Spots: Hormonal changes often intensify sun damage. Treatments with Vitamin A, antioxidants, and professional peels can help.
Facial Hair Growth: Yes, it’s real—and you’re not alone. Many women notice new fuzz or coarse hairs on the chin and jawline. It’s normal, manageable, and worth discussing with your esthetician.
Neck & Lip Changes: Skin here often thins faster, making specialized care (and SPF!) critical.

Mentioning these concerns openly helps remove the stigma and creates space for real conversations.

Putting It All Together

So, what does a smart menopausal skincare plan look like?

Daily: Environ Youth EssentiA serums for Vitamin A, antioxidants, and peptides. Sunscreen, always.
Weekly: Enzyme exfoliation (MBR Enzyme Booster Cleanser) and Revival Masque to refine and energize.
Consistently: Topical omegas (Drop of Essence) + internal omega supplements for plump, hydrated resilience.
Monthly: Professional alternating treatments—microchanneling and peels—to stimulate renewal and collagen support.
Holistic: Adequate sleep, stress reduction, protein-rich diet, and hydration all reinforce skin health.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the middle of your own “skin plot twist,” know you’re not alone. I resisted moisturizer for decades, and then one day, my skin handed me my reality check. Menopause may change the rules of the game, but it doesn’t mean you can’t play—and win—with the right tools, treatments, and mindset.

At Lisa Simone Skincare, we specialize in guiding women through these changes with empathy, science, and a touch of humor. Because if we can’t laugh about moisturizer becoming our ride-or-die, what can we laugh about?