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Menopause Skincare: How to Adapt Your Routine for Dryness and Loss of Firmness

16 Oct 2026 0 Comments

Have you started noticing changes in your skin around menopause? Perhaps your face feels drier, your skin looks less firm, or fine lines have become more noticeable. As your hormones change, the skincare routine that once worked well may no longer meet your skin’s needs.

During the first five years of menopause, the skin can lose around 30% of its collagen. It may become thinner and less elastic, with changes in firmness becoming visible around the facial contours. [1]

This is a good time to rethink your skincare routine. From everyday moisturising to targeted at-home treatments, here is how to care for your skin’s changing needs during perimenopause and menopause.

The Short Answer: How Should Skincare Change During Menopause?

Menopause skincare should prioritise hydration, skin barrier support and daily sun protection. Start with a gentle cleanser, a moisturiser suited to your skin and a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Once these essentials feel comfortable, consider targeted ingredients or at-home treatments for fine lines, uneven texture and loss of firmness. Introduce changes gradually, especially if your skin has become more sensitive.

Perimenopause and Menopause: When Can Skin Changes Begin?

Skin changes may begin during perimenopause, before your periods stop completely.

Perimenopause is the transition around menopause. It can last several years, often becomes noticeable through menstrual cycle changes and continues until one year after the final menstrual period.

Natural menopause is confirmed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, provided there is no other physiological or medical explanation. [2]

You do not need to wait until menopause is confirmed to adapt your skincare. However, dryness alone does not establish a hormonal cause. Weather, excessive cleansing and irritating products can also contribute.

Let your skin’s condition guide your routine, and discuss menopause-related health concerns with a healthcare professional.

What Happens to Your Skin During Menopause?

Dryness and Tightness

Declining oestrogen levels can affect the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Your face may feel tighter after cleansing, become more prone to dryness or need a richer moisturiser than before. [1]

Loss of Collagen and Firmness

Collagen helps provide the skin with structure and support. Changes associated with declining oestrogen can affect collagen content, skin thickness and elasticity.

These hormonal changes occur alongside chronological ageing and the accumulated effects of environmental exposure, particularly UV radiation. [3]

Better hydration can make the skin’s surface look plumper, while changes in deeper facial support require a different approach. This distinction helps you choose products and treatments with realistic expectations.

Increased Sensitivity

Products that previously felt comfortable may begin to sting, or your skin may become more easily irritated.

Persistent stinging, redness and flaking are reasons to reassess your routine. Reduce potentially irritating steps and seek advice from a dermatologist if symptoms continue. [4]

Uneven Tone and Dark Spots

Dark spots that become more noticeable at this stage may reflect years of sun exposure. Not every pigmentation change is caused by menopause.

Daily sun protection remains essential. Have any new or changing pigmented lesion assessed by a dermatologist before trying to treat it yourself. [1]

How to Adapt Your Skincare Routine During Menopause

1. Choose a Gentle Cleanser

Your skin should feel clean and comfortable after washing. If your face feels tight, consider switching to a gentler, fragrance-free cleanser.

Use lukewarm water and pat your skin dry with a soft towel. A creamy, non-stripping formula may feel more comfortable as your skin becomes drier. [4]

Reconsider exfoliation too. A frequency that suited your skin several years ago may now be excessive.

2. Pair Your Hydrating Serum With a Suitable Moisturiser

Does your skin feel dry again soon after applying a hyaluronic acid serum? It may need help retaining moisture as well as attracting it.

Glycerin and hyaluronic acid help hydrate the skin, while emollients and moisture-sealing ingredients help keep it soft and reduce water loss. Ceramides and other skin-identical lipids can support the skin barrier.

This is why a lightweight serum may work better as part of a routine that also includes a suitable moisturiser. [5]

3. Keep Sunscreen in Your Morning Routine

If you want to address wrinkles, pigmentation or loss of firmness, daily sun protection is an essential part of your routine.

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, including on your neck and décolletage when exposed. Reapply according to the product instructions, particularly when spending time outdoors. [1]

4. Adjust Active Ingredients to Your Skin’s Tolerance

Menopause does not automatically mean giving up retinol. Retinoids can still have a place in a routine targeting signs of photoageing, but they can cause dryness and irritation.

If your skin becomes uncomfortable, reduce the frequency or consider a lower-strength formula. Introduce new products individually so you can identify what suits your skin. [6]

If your skin is irritated, return to gentle cleansing, moisturising and sun protection before gradually rebuilding your routine.

Which DermaGene Products Do We Recommend for Your Changing Skin Needs?

Choose your next step according to the change that concerns you most.

If your skin is currently tight, sensitive or flaking, start with moisturising and barrier care. Once it feels comfortable, you can consider targeted treatments for firmness, texture or facial tone.

Loss of Firmness and Softer Facial Contours: RadiantLift 7in1

Does your skin feel less firm, or your jawline look less defined? Menopause-related collagen loss can affect skin elasticity and support, making sagging and fine lines more noticeable.

For these concerns, we recommend the DermaGene® RadiantLift 7in1 RF & EMS Face Lifting Device. It brings together radiofrequency, electrical muscle stimulation and complementary skincare functions in one at-home device.

Radiofrequency uses heat to target skin-firming processes, while EMS focuses on facial muscle activation. RadiantLift’s Dual Mode combines RF and EMS in the same programme, making it a practical choice if you want to address both skin firmness and facial tone. Its additional cleansing, infusion, LED, massage and cooling functions offer flexibility as your skincare needs change.

Use the appropriate conductive gel for RF and EMS treatments, and follow the device’s instructions for treatment frequency and suitability.

Discover the RadiantLift 7in1 RF & EMS Face Lifting Device →

Uneven Skin Texture and Fine Lines: MicroLuxe 4-in-1

Does your skin feel less smooth, with fine lines becoming more noticeable? Dryness and changes in skin structure can both contribute during menopause.

If consistent moisturising has not fully addressed your texture concerns, consider DermaGene® MicroLuxe 4-in-1. It combines microneedling with microcurrent, LED light and vibration.

Microneedling creates small, controlled punctures that trigger a local repair response. Its suitability depends on your skin’s condition, the treatment depth and the protocol used. Professional treatment findings should not be assumed to apply to every at-home routine.

Do not use microneedling on irritated, inflamed or broken skin. If your skin has become thin or particularly sensitive, discuss suitability with a dermatologist first. [8]

Explore MicroLuxe 4-in-1 →

Dullness and Rough Texture: Deep Peel 4in1

Does your complexion look dull, feel rough or make foundation harder to apply evenly? Dryness can make the surface look less smooth, while dead surface cells may add to uneven texture.

If your skin is comfortable and tolerates exfoliation, DermaGene® Deep Peel 4in1 offers a dedicated exfoliating step. Its hydroabrasion function targets surface impurities and dead skin cells.

The device also includes EMS, iontophoresis and heat therapy functions. Select your treatment according to the device instructions and your skin’s needs.

Menopausal skin can be thinner and more vulnerable to irritation. If your skin is dry, flaky or sensitive, prioritise moisturising and seek advice before introducing exfoliation. [1]

Explore Deep Peel 4in1 →

Changes in Facial Tone and Contours: Facelift PRESTIGE

Does your jawline look less defined, with more laxity around the lower face? Menopause-related skin changes and age-related changes in deeper tissues can both influence facial contours.

For those interested in a facial muscle-focused treatment, we recommend DermaGene® Facelift PRESTIGE. The device uses electrical stimulation to target facial muscle activation, complementing topical skincare with a different treatment approach.

We recommend PRESTIGE for those who want to make regular at-home facial treatments part of their routine, with a focus on facial tone and firmer-looking contours.

Follow the treatment schedule, instructions and contraindications supplied with the device.

Discover Facelift PRESTIGE →

Dry, Tight-Feeling Skin: NAD⁺ Serum and PDRN2000 Cream

Does your face still feel tight after moisturising? As the skin’s ability to retain water changes during menopause, a richer moisturising routine may feel more comfortable.

We recommend pairing DermaGene® NAD⁺ Radiant Longevity Serum with PDRN2000 Cellular Recovery Cream.

The serum contains 800 ppm NAD⁺ and 1,000 ppm PDRN. The cream combines 2,000 ppm PDRN with glycerin, panthenol, a hyaluronic acid derivative, ceramides and cholesterol.

For dry skin, the moisturising ingredients and barrier lipids are particularly relevant. Apply the serum first, followed by the cream, according to their instructions.

If your skin is sensitive, introduce the products separately so you can assess your response.

Explore NAD⁺ Radiant Longevity Serum →

Discover PDRN2000 Cellular Recovery Cream →

Frequently Asked Questions About Menopause Skincare

Why Does Skin Become Drier and Less Firm During Menopause?

Declining oestrogen levels can affect the skin’s collagen content and ability to retain water. Skin may become drier, thinner and less elastic, making wrinkles and sagging more noticeable. Adapting your skincare can help address dryness and support a more comfortable skin barrier. [1]

What Skincare Routine Should I Follow During Menopause?

Start with a gentle cleanser, an effective moisturiser and daily broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher. Once these essentials suit your skin, add targeted ingredients or treatments for your main concern. Introduce new steps gradually rather than changing your entire routine at once.

Which Ingredients Are Useful for Dry, Sensitive Menopausal Skin?

Glycerin and hyaluronic acid help hydrate the skin. Ceramides and other skin-identical lipids support the skin barrier, while emollient ingredients help soften dry areas. Fragrance-free formulas are worth considering if your skin is sensitive. Retinol may remain useful for fine lines if your skin tolerates it. [5] [6]

Can At-Home Devices Help With Firmness and Facial Contours?

Some at-home technologies have clinical evidence for particular outcomes. Radiofrequency targets skin through heat, while electrical muscle stimulation focuses on muscle activation. Results depend on the device, treatment settings and consistency of use. Evidence from one device does not establish the effectiveness of every product using a similar technology. [7]

Can Taking Collagen Help Skin During Menopause?

Some studies report improvements in skin hydration and elasticity with oral collagen peptides. A 2026 meta-analysis found clearer elasticity effects at approximately 12 weeks, while a separate 2025 analysis found no convincing benefit in higher-quality studies. [9] [10]

These findings do not establish a specific benefit for menopausal skin or show that supplements reverse menopause-related collagen loss. Collagen supplementation can be considered separately from topical skincare, with realistic expectations.

Build a Routine Around What Your Skin Needs Now

Your skincare routine can evolve with you. Start by making everyday cleansing and moisturising comfortable, protect your skin from the sun and choose one targeted addition that addresses your main concern.

Whether that means richer barrier care, a carefully introduced active ingredient or an appropriate at-home device, a routine you can follow consistently is a practical place to begin.