Help! Why is my skin breaking out with menopause? Managing Menopause Acne

Menopause is a transitional phase marked by significant hormonal changes. This ‘second phase’ of life officially begins one year after a woman's final menstrual period, however peri-menopause symptoms can start well before then. While symptoms like hot flushes, mood changes, skin and vaginal dryness are common, an unexpected challenge is the onset of adult acne. Managing hormonal breakouts when the skin is simultaneously becoming thinner, drier, and more sensitive presents a unique dermatological challenge.

 

What is Menopause Acne?

Menopausal skin changes are driven by the noticeable decline in female hormones, particularly estrogen. Estrogen typically helps stimulate a more fluid sebaceous gland secretion, offering an "anti-acne" effect during the reproductive years.

As estrogen levels drop, testosterone, which is produced by the adrenal glands, is no longer masked and becomes relatively prominent. This rise in testosterone activity stimulates the sebaceous glands to secrete a thicker form of sebum, leading to the appearance of oily skin and an increased tendency toward adult acne. This hormonal acne often manifests as cysts, whiteheads or breakouts, commonly seen as acne around the chin and jawline. Acne rosacea pigmentation may also change or become aggravated with menopause.

 

Why Does Skin Change at Menopause?

The skin is the body’s largest hormonally sensitive organ, and its structure is affected by hormonal changes.

1. Loss of Structural Integrity: The decline in estrogen accelerates collagen loss. Studies show that skin loses about 30% of its collagen during the first five years of menopause. Data suggests that estrogen is a protective factor against facial aging. This loss of collagen leads to skin sagging, loss of elasticity and skin lines.
2. Thinning and Dryness: Lowered estrogen levels severely impair the skin’s ability to retain moisture, leading to dryness and a weakened skin barrier. Reduced dermal blood flow, partially controlled by estrogens, also contributes to the thinning of the epidermis and a slower cell turnover rate, resulting in increased trans-epidermal water loss.
3. Pigmentation Changes: Estrogens temper melanin production. The lack of this regulatory effect can increase melanin synthesis in sun-exposed areas, causing brown "age spots" or hyperpigmentation on the face, hands, neck, arms, or chest.

 

How to Manage Menopausal Acne: Lifestyle 

The primary difficulty in managing menopausal acne is that traditional treatments for younger, oily skin are often too harsh for mature, sensitive skin. Drying out the skin can worsen menopause breakouts.

• Prioritise Hydration: Because skin loses its ability to hold water, intensive moisturising is essential. Incorporating hydrating moisturisers, serums and cleansers, will support skin hydration. Antioxidant skincare botanicals, like Holy Basil (Tulsi) and Amla, hydrate the skin from within and help retain moisture. 
• Protect from the Sun: Daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is crucial to prevent further skin thinning and accelerated collagen depletion caused by UV damage.
• Nutrition and Internal Balance: Fresh leafy greens contain vitamins and minerals to support healthy skin. Red berries support with bioflavonoids and other nutrients to support UV recovery and skin repair. Fish, nuts and other omega-3 rich foods are vital for reducing inflammation and maintaining skin moisture. Incorporating phytoestrogen-rich foods, like soy products, may help alleviate dryness and improve elasticity by mimicking estrogen. Stress management through mindfulness or yoga and ensuring quality sleep are also important, as stress impacts hormonal balance.
• Seek Professional Health Support: Your natural health care professional can support with hormonal balance. You may also wish to speak to your doctor about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).

 

Skincare for Menopausal Acne 

A natural and herbal skincare approach can help provide a gentle skincare routine, whilst avoiding harsh, drying ingredients.

• Cleansing Strategy: Use a mild cleanser instead of traditional soap, or traditional acne cleansers, which can be too drying. Cleansing morning and night, along with regular use of a detoxing exfoliating cleanser can significantly help unclog blocked pores and ensure better skin hydration.

• Targeted Herbal Skincare for Acne: Look for antioxidant botanicals, and specialised ingredients with scientific backing to reduce inflammation, promote balance, and support skin renewal:
• Bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative used in Ayurvedic skincare treatments, offers anti-aging and anti-acne benefits without the irritation or sun sensitivity associated with traditional retinol. Syntenol A is a specialsed form of Backuchiol with clinical studies showing it is just as effective as retinol without the stinging or flaking associated with retinol.
• Emblica, amla (gooseberry), specialised extract with enhanced antioxidant capabilities, shown to effectively reduce skin irritation and promote skin tone, lightening dark spots.
• Ayurvedi, specialised Tulsi for skincare, also known as holy basil, is rich in polyphenols. Tulsi is a wholistic well-ageing herbal skincare that protects the skin from environmental and other stresses, helping to restore skin balance. It boosts cell energy to increase cellular renewal, illuminating the skin. 

 

The AyurScience Beauty Purity Range four-step approach is designed for oily, blemished, or problematic skin, perfect for menopausal skin changes:

1. Foaming Gel Cleanser: A daily exfoliating cleanser containing Alpha Hydroxy Fruit Acids (AHAs) acne reduction exfoliation, along with anti-inflammatory botanicals such as Amla, Holy Basil (Tulsi), and Ginger. Use morning and evening.
2. Blemish Spot Treatment: A corrective serum formulated with Bakuchiol, Ginger, and Frankincense that visibly calms redness and irritation, and balances the skin.
3. Hydrating Lotion: Daily lightweight moisturiser that absorbs surface oil and hydrates. It features Bakuchiol (a plant-based retinol alternative) and anti-inflammatory Turmeric.
4. Purifying Mask: A cooling crème clay mask containing Amla, Holy Basil (Tulsi), Turmeric, and Bakuchiol to deeply detoxify and calm the skin. Gentle exfoliation to support for enhanced moisturising benefits when combined as a part of the full skincare ritual.

 

Why Use Plant-Based Skincare?

Plant-based skincare is primarily formulated with plant ingredients like herbs, fruits, seeds and essential oil, rather than synthetic chemicals or animal-derived substances. Plant-based skincare incorporates the best from natural skincare and herbal skincare, created with science innovation and traditional knowledge.

Ayurveda, the ancient system of natural healing, emphasises the use of plant-based ingredients to nurture the skin and restore vitality, aligning with the need for gentle care during menopause.

• Gentle on the skin:
• Bakuchiol: This plant-based ingredient is a potent antioxidant that offers benefits similar to retinol (improving acne, blemishes, fine lines) but is well-tolerated by troubled or sensitive skin and does not cause sun sensitivity.
• Anti-Inflammatory Botanicals:
• Ingredients commonly used include Holy Basil (Tulsi), which helps reduce skin redness and inflammation, and Turmeric, celebrated for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that soothe irritated skin and inflammatory conditions like acne.
• Rich in nutrients and skin benefits:
• For example Pure-phen (frankincense) promotes wound-healing, skin regeneration and helps smooth skin roughness related to acne.
• Plant-based skincare ingredients are packed with collagen boosting vitamins, skin healing antioxidants, and moisturising essential fatty acids. These nutrients work in synergy to nourish, heal and protect the skin. For example natural vitamin C skincare helps to heal and protect the skin, and amla contains 20x the vitamin C than from oranges.

 

Menopause is a natural evolution, not a setback — and with the right balance of nourishment, mindfulness, and plant-powered skincare, your skin can continue to glow with vitality through every stage of change.