Dry Skin During Menopause: Why It Happens and How to Care for It
Skin often gets drier and thinner around menopause as collagen falls. Learn why it happens, which skincare steps help, what to rule out and when to get checked.
Skin often becomes drier, thinner and less elastic around menopause. Estrogen helps skin hold moisture and make collagen, and studies suggest up to 30% of skin collagen is lost in the first five years after menopause. The NHS lists dry and itchy skin among menopause symptoms. Gentle cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection help.
What does menopausal dry skin feel like?
- Tightness, especially after washing
- Rough, flaky or dull skin
- Itching, particularly on the arms, legs and back. See itchy skin.
- Skin that feels thinner, bruises more easily, or heals more slowly
- More sensitivity to products you’ve used for years
- Finer lines and less "bounce"
Many people also notice dryness elsewhere, such as dry eyes and vaginal dryness.
Why does menopause cause dry skin?
Skin responds strongly to estrogen. Estrogen supports collagen and elastic fibers, helps skin hold water, and maintains the protective barrier on its surface.
A review of estrogen-deficient skin notes that up to 30% of skin collagen may be lost in the first five years after menopause. Collagen then declines by about 2.1% a year, and skin thickness by about 1.1% a year. The same review notes that increased dryness is often one of the first skin changes women notice after menopause, followed by reduced firmness and elasticity. These changes are linked to less oil (sebum) production, lower collagen and thinner skin.
A 2022 review in Climacteric describes dryness and itching, thinning, wrinkles, sagging, poor wound healing and reduced blood flow as skin symptoms of menopause. It also notes that sun exposure, rather than menopause, drives most skin cancers and signs of sun damage.
What else can cause dry skin?
- An underactive thyroid, which can cause dry skin with tiredness and weight gain
- Eczema or psoriasis
- Diabetes
- Some medicines, such as diuretics, statins and retinoids
- Hot showers, harsh soaps and low humidity, especially in winter or with central heating
- Dehydration
- Nutritional deficiencies, in rare cases
See perimenopause or something else.
What helps?
Daily skincare basics
| Step | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cleanse gently | Use lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser or soap substitute | Hot water and harsh soaps strip natural oils |
| Moisturize often | Apply an emollient or rich moisturizer straight after washing, while skin is slightly damp | Locks in water and supports the skin barrier |
| Choose barrier ingredients | Look for ceramides, glycerin, urea or hyaluronic acid | These help skin hold moisture |
| Protect from sun | Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily on exposed skin | Sun exposure drives most skin aging and skin cancer |
| Be gentle | Pat dry, avoid scrubbing and limit exfoliation | Thinner skin is more easily irritated |
Lifestyle
- Don’t smoke, as smoking accelerates skin aging.
- Use a humidifier in dry environments.
- Eat a varied diet with healthy fats, fruit and vegetables.
- Stay hydrated.
- Wear soft, breathable fabrics, such as cotton, if your skin is itchy.
Hormone therapy
Studies show estrogen therapy can increase skin collagen, thickness and hydration. However, hormone therapy isn’t prescribed solely for skin, and the decision depends on your overall symptoms and health. See what menopause is for an overview of treatment.
Topical treatments
Some prescription creams, such as topical retinoids, can improve skin texture over time, but they can also irritate dry, thin skin. A dermatologist or pharmacist can advise.
Should you check your skin?
Midlife is a good time to check your skin regularly for new or changing moles or patches. Most skin cancers are linked to sun exposure over time rather than menopause itself. See recommended health checks after menopause.
Tips for specific areas
| Area | What helps |
|---|---|
| Face | Gentle cleanser, a richer moisturizer at night, daily sunscreen; introduce active ingredients slowly |
| Hands | Hand cream after each wash; gloves for cleaning and cold weather |
| Legs and arms | Thick emollient after bathing; avoid long hot baths |
| Lips | Fragrance-free lip balm, with SPF during the day |
| Scalp | Mild shampoo; see a clinician if flaking or itching persists |
| Feet | Urea-based foot cream for cracked heels |
A simple routine
Morning: gentle cleanse or water rinse, moisturizer, then broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Evening: gentle cleanse to remove sunscreen and makeup, then a richer moisturizer, and an emollient on body skin after bathing.
Introduce one new product at a time, so you can spot anything that irritates your skin.
Moles and skin spots: what to watch for
Use the ABCDE checklist when looking at moles:
- A: Asymmetry: the two halves look different.
- B: Border: edges are irregular, ragged or blurred.
- C: Color: several shades, or an uneven color.
- D: Diameter: larger than about 6 mm, though melanomas can be smaller.
- E: Evolving: changes in size, shape, color, or new itching or bleeding.
Also watch for sores that don’t heal, or scaly patches that persist. Report any of these to a clinician.
When should you see a doctor?
Book an appointment if dry skin is persistent, very itchy, cracked or affecting your sleep or quality of life.
See a clinician promptly if you have:
- A new or changing mole, or a sore or patch that doesn’t heal
- Widespread itching with yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine or pale stools
- Red, hot, swollen or painful skin, especially with fever
- Dry skin with tiredness, weight gain and feeling cold, which may suggest thyroid problems
Questions to ask at your appointment
- Could my dry skin be linked to menopause, or something else?
- Should my thyroid be checked?
- Which moisturizer or emollient would suit my skin?
- Could any of my medicines be drying my skin?
- Should I have a skin check?
See your first menopause appointment.
Related symptoms
Itchy skin · Formication · Thinning hair · Dry eyes · Vaginal dryness
Frequently asked questions
Why is my skin suddenly so dry in my 40s?
Falling estrogen around perimenopause reduces the skin’s ability to hold moisture and make collagen. Harsh products, hot showers and dry air can add to it.
Does HRT help menopausal skin?
Studies show estrogen can improve skin collagen, thickness and hydration, but hormone therapy isn’t prescribed for skin alone.
Do collagen supplements work?
Some small studies suggest collagen supplements may modestly improve skin, but the evidence is limited. Sun protection, moisturizing and not smoking have stronger evidence.
What’s the best moisturizer for menopausal skin?
A fragrance-free emollient or moisturizer with barrier-supporting ingredients, such as ceramides or glycerin, suits most people. The best one is the one you’ll use consistently.
Why does my skin bruise more easily after menopause?
Thinner skin with less collagen provides less cushioning for small blood vessels. Easy bruising without a clear cause, or with bleeding gums or nosebleeds, should be checked.
Should I change my skincare after menopause?
Many people benefit from gentler cleansers and richer moisturizers. Sun protection remains the single most important step.
References
- NHS: Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause (skin changes)
- Estrogen-deficient skin: the role of topical therapy (review). International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, 2019
- Skin, hair and beyond: the impact of menopause. Climacteric, 2022
- European Medical Journal: Managing menopausal skin: a clinician’s review, 2025
- Mayo Clinic Press: Menopause symptoms? It could be a copycat
Editorial status: evidence-based educational article. Last evidence check: September 10, 2026.
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