This month, skin health expert Louise Thomas-Minns, Founder and CEO of Louise Thomas Skin Care, looks at how menopause changes your skin – and the skincare that actually works
At Louise Thomas Skin Care, I work closely with women navigating one of the most transformative stages of life: perimenopause and menopause. I’m in that peri stage myself and so many of my clients have been with me for many years so we have transitioned into this stage together. Alongside the well-known internal changes, many of my clients come in feeling overwhelmed by the visible shifts in their skin – dryness, breakouts, sagging, sensitivity, pigmentation. You name it.
They’ve read about the 40+ symptoms of menopause. They’ve felt the pressure to buy every product targeting ‘menopausal skin’. And they’ve often been told they need a whole new shelf of skincare to “fix” it. But here’s the truth: Menopause can change how your skin behaves — but that doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your entire routine.
Let’s Debunk the “Menopause Skincare” Myth
In the last few years, the beauty industry has zeroed in on menopause — and while it’s good that the conversation is happening, the marketing often creates more pressure than clarity.
You may have seen products labelled “menopause skincare” or “hormone-supportive formulas.” But here’s something I tell my clients all the time: Just because it says ‘menopause’ on the label doesn’t mean it’s better for your skin. In fact, it’s often the same ingredients in new packaging.
These products might contain peptides, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or retinoids — which are all fantastic ingredients. But you don’t need to chase “menopause skincare” if you already have a solid routine with targeted, quality formulas.
What Actually Changes in Your Skin During Menopause
Oestrogen declines, which means:
- Lower collagen production
- Reduced oil and hydration levels
- Thinner, more fragile skin
- Slower cell turnover
- Increased sensitivity or reactivity
The result? Skin may feel dry, look dull, sag slightly, or become more reactive — even if you’ve never had sensitive skin before. But none of this means you need to scrap everything and start from zero.
What Your Skin Really Needs
When I create menopause-friendly routines in clinic, I don’t look for trendy “hormonal” buzzwords. I look for barrier-first, tailored support – simple, effective steps that work with your changing skin, not against it.
Here’s what that often includes:
1. A Gentle, Non-Stripping Cleanser
Louise Thomas Skin Care The Cleanser is the holy grail because not only does it efficiently cleanse with a luxurious foam BUT it has that barrier supporting moisturising complex in it too.
2. Deep Hydration
Layering hydrating serums (like our Hero #2 Serum Soothe & Calm with Tasman pepper berry and our moisturising complex) under your moisturiser can help replenish what oestrogen used to provide.
3. Barrier Repair
Look for moisturisers with ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids—the building blocks your skin needs to stay strong, calm, and supported.
4. Targeted Actives (Only If Needed)
You may still benefit from ingredients like retinoids or vitamin C, but they should be used with care. A weakened barrier makes your skin more prone to irritation. Sometimes, less is more effective.
5. Sun Protection
SPF isn’t optional. It protects against further collagen loss and hyperpigmentation — two things that accelerate post-menopause.
You Don’t Need More. You Need Tailored
The biggest mistake I see? Women adding product after product – more actives, more layers, more trends. And yet, their skin feels worse: sensitive, dry, and inflamed.
The real solution is not about doing more but doing what’s right for your skin right now. That’s where personalised guidance makes all the difference.
How I Support Menopausal Skin at Louise Thomas Skin Care
In the skin lounges, I take a barrier-first, simplified approach:
- We work with what’s already working in your routine.
- We strip back what’s causing stress or inflammation.
- We rebuild confidence in your skin with calm, high-performing, tailored care.
There’s no pressure to be perfect. No hype. No marketing gimmicks. Just skin that feels stronger, calmer, and better supported — so you can feel like yourself again.
Menopause doesn’t mean broken skin. It means changed skin. You don’t need a 12-step routine or an expensive “menopause skincare” label to feel good in your skin again. You just need the right strategy, and a little expert support.
Ready to Feel at Home in Your Skin Again?
Book a consultation at Louise Thomas Skin Care, and let’s create a personalised plan that meets your skin where it’s at — not where a marketing label says it should be. Because skincare should feel empowering, not overwhelming.
Visit The Skin Lounge – Skincare Treatments in Norwich – Louise Thomas Skin Care.
Featured images of Louise Thomas-Minns – supplied
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