Perimenopause, Menopause and Your Skin: The Skin Laundry Guide

According to The American Academy of Dermatology, menopause officially begins one year after a woman’s final period—but peri/menopause’s effects on the skin can show up long before that. “Perimenopause typically starts in the mid-40s, but for many women it starts earlier, in their mid-30s,” says Dr. Roberta Del Campo, Skin Laundry’s Chief Medical Officer. “During this time, estrogen levels decline, which impacts natural regenerative processes such as collagen production and moisture retention also start to slow down.” 

As a result, skin in peri/menopause often becomes drier, thinner and prone to redness, rosacea, hyperpigmentation and acne. With this in mind, Dr. Del Campo and Skin Laundry’s medical team have developed treatments specifically designed to counter the common side effects of these hormonal shifts, leaving skin looking fresh, firm and healthy. Skin Laundry also has a curated product assortment to help peri/menopausal clients keep up with their skincare regime at home.    

Read on for our Skin Laundry guide to caring for your skin through perimenopause and menopause. 

Perimenopausal Skin Concerns: Redness, Dryness and Breakouts  

Hormonal changes are inevitable as we move through life. First in our teens and again in midlife, women’s estrogen levels start to fluctuate. During perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause, this can have a knock-on effect on your skin. Common symptoms include the appearance of hyperpigmentation, redness and rosacea, drier skin and adult acne or perimenopausal acne. 

Perimenopausal acne develops in women for the same reasons as acne develops in puberty—the changes and imbalances in hormone levels during this stage of life impact our skin. As estrogen levels decrease, the effects of sex hormones called androgens increase. Androgens increase the production of sebum, the skin's natural oil, and this excess oil on the skin can mix with bacteria, dead skin, and debris, clogging pores and leading to inflammation.

Menopause and Skin: Dryness, Sensitivity and Collagen Loss 

The most common complaint in menopausal skin is dryness, as estrogen is directly related to collagen, skin lipid production, and skin hydration. Estrogen supports the skin in a variety of ways, promoting collagen and hyaluronic acid production and a healthy barrier function. Studies show that women lose about 30% of collagen in their skin during the first five years of menopause, followed by a gradual 2% drop yearly.  

Hyaluronic acid levels in the body also decline, while a disruption in the skin barrier leads to a depletion of moisturizing ceramides and lipids. Combined, this all leads to a multitude of skin issues, including dryness, sensitivity, and dullness, alongside a lack of firmness, more fine lines and wrinkles, and uneven tone and texture.  

  Skin Laundry Treatments for Peri/Menopausal Skin  

The Skin Laundry Signature Laser Facial uses a non-invasive, non-ablative laser to effectively targets everything from acne and hyperpigmentation to redness, fine lines and wrinkles while being safe for all skin tones. This treatment also stimulates new collagen and elastin tissue production, leading to firmer, younger-looking skin over time.    

The Skin Laundry Resurfacing Facial uses fractional technology to target everything from hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin texture, and pore size to acne scars and is safe and effective for all skin tones. Fractional technology stimulates the production of collagen, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, increasing skin cell turnover, and creating microchannels that enable greater absorption of products, like serums, into the skin.   

The Skin Laundry Sculpting Facial is our targeted treatment for tightening, lifting and contouring while also minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Using multi-polar radio frequency and pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF), this techonology stimulates elastin and collagen production for firmer, healthier skin.   

Read more about the Sculpting Facial here.  

Rejuvenator is a medical-grade chemical peel that uses a blend of liposomal growth factors and acids to boost the skin’s natural regenerative processes, support hydration and provide antioxidant protection, thereby improving the appearance of hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles.  

Read more about our chemical facial peels here.  

Extend your Facial down to the décolleté with a Neck & Chest Enhancement. These add-on treatments provide target the skin beneath the chin, which displays even more prominent signs of aging over time as it’s thinner—and more prone to environmental damage—than the skin on the face.  

Read more about skincare for the neck and chest here.  

Skin Laundry Protocols For Peri/Menopausal Skin  

Boost Hydration + Strengthen Skin Barrier   

“Estrogen plays a major role in keeping the skin hydrated,” Dr. Del Campo says. “As estrogen levels decline, the skin barrier thins, and moisture retention weakens. Its’s common for women in peri/menopause to experience sudden dryness, so it’s essential to add hydrating ingredients to your skincare regime.”

Replenish elasticity, plumpness, and hydration with our multi-correctional Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that pulls moisture into the skin. It is now formulated with Niacinamide, a powerhouse ingredient that softens fine lines, reduces oil production, and hydrates the skin's natural barrier. This serum delivers a long-lasting reservoir of moisture and radiance.  

This oil-free, milky gel Hydrating Gentle Cleanser gently washes away dirt and impurities, leaving the skin deeply cleansed and hydrated. Formulated with amino acids, vitamin b5, and watermelon extract, this cleanser is rich in antioxidants to help balance, soothe, calm, and strengthen the skin's surface.