The Vichy Guide to Skincare During Menopause

Collagen loss, hormonal shifts, and changing skin needs are three things most women during menopause a yet the information available can feel scattered, contradictory, or simply not written for them. 

In this article you'll find clear explanations of how collagen works and why it declines during menopause, what happens to your skin during perimenopause and menopause, which skincare ingredients and lifestyle habits genuinely support your skin, and how to build a routine that meets your skin where it is right now. Whether you're dealing with dryness, itchiness, fine lines, or loss of firmness, this guide gives you the knowledge to make confident, informed skincare choices during perimenopause and menopause.

Key Facts:

• There are three stages of menopause all of which affect the skin in different ways


• Women lose about 30% of collagen during the first 5 years of menopause.


• Menopausal skin may have breakouts, dryness, loss of firmness, and volume along with increased pigmentation concerns.


• A skincare routine with collagen supporting actives like retinol and peptides helps reduce the visible signs of ageing.

What is menopause?

The natural biological process that marks the end of of a woman’s reproductive years is know as Menopause. The transition normally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 and is marked by three main stages.

What are the stages of menopause?

Rather than being a single event, menopause is a gradual journey that breaks down into three stages:

• Perimenopause: This is the transitional phase (often in the mid 40s) where a woman will notice hormone level fluctuations and other menopausal symptoms.


• Menopause: When a woman has not experienced a menstrual cycle for for 12 months.


• Postmenopause: This encompasses all the years following menopause.

How is the skin affected by the different stages of menopause?

1.    Perimenopause: The Transitional Phase

Perimenopause is the transitional phase leading up to menopause, typically beginning in the early-to-mid 40s, triggering significant hormonal fluctuations that directly affect the skin.

• Early Volume Loss: As oestrogen levels begin to decline, the skin's collagen content starts to drop more noticeably. The skin may feel thinner, and less resilient.


• Acne Breakouts: Many women also notice increased sensitivity, occasional breakouts driven by fluctuating androgen levels, a duller complexion, and reduced skin elasticity.


• Occasional Dryness: The skin barrier becomes less effective during perimenopause at retaining moisture which can lead to dry skin.


• Uneven Skin Tone: The hormonal fluctuations during perimenopause may trigger hyperpigmentation or dark spots.

Perimenopause is also a time when the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles deepens more quickly. Understanding the hormonal drivers behind these changes helps you respond with targeted, effective skincare choices rather than simply reaching for more product.

2.    Menopause: The Rapid Shift

 

Menopause officially marks the point when a woman has not had a menstrual cycle for 12 consecutive months. At this stage, oestrogen production from the ovaries drops dramatically. The first five years of this stage bring the most accelerated skin changes.

• Rapid Collagen Loss: This is the most critical structural shift. Studies show that women lose up to 30% of their skin’s collagen within the first five years of menopause¹. This sudden loss leads to noticeable skin laxity, sagging (especially around the jawline and neck), and the deepening of wrinkles. Collagen loss is followed by a more gradula decline of 2.1% per year thereafter ² .


• Significant Dryness (Xerosis): Oestrogen stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid and natural ceramides. Without it, the skin's ability to hold onto water plummets, often leaving the skin chronically dry, flaky, and dull.


• Impaired recovery: Skin cell turnover slows down significantly. Blemishes or irritation take longer to heal, and the skin loses its natural, radiant glow.

3.    Postmenopause: The Long-Term New Normal

Postmenopause encompasses all the years following the menopausal milestone. During postmenopause, hormone levels stabilise at a consistently low level and the cumulative effects of low oestrogen become the new baseline for your skin.

• Thinning and Fragility: The epidermis (outer layer of skin) continues to thin out. Postmenopausal skin is often described as feeling "papery" or fragile, becoming much more susceptible to bruising and environmental damage.


• Structural Volume Loss: In addition to collagen depletion, there is a redistribution and loss of subcutaneous fat in the face. This causes a loss of volume in the cheeks and under the eyes, resulting in a more hollowed appearance.


• Sun Damage Amplification: Decades of UV exposure combined with the skin's weakened defence mechanisms mean that age spots, hyperpigmentation, and signs of photoageing become much more prominent.

Most of these concerns respond well to a consistent, targeted skincare routine.

Perimenopause and Menopause Skincare Routine

A consistent, targeted menopause skincare routine is more valuable than an extensive one. Here is a practical approach:

Morning:

1. Cleans the face with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser. Perimenopause Tweak: If you are experiencing hormonal breakouts (common in perimenopause), you might swap this for a gently exfoliating Salicylic Acid (BHA) cleanser a few mornings a week to keep pores clear.


2. Apply a hydrating serum with hyaluronic acid to help with dryness like Vichy LiftActiv Hyaluronic Acid Serum to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles


3. Follow with a collagen supporting moisturiser formulated for mature skin like Vichy LiftActiv Collagen Specialist 16 Day Cream


4. Broad-spectrum SPF 50+

Evening:

1. Gentle cleanser (double cleanse if you wear SPF or makeup)


2. Retinol or peptide-rich serum such as Vichy LiftActiv Anti-Agieng Retinol Serum start with 2–3 nights per week and build tolerance Perimenopause Tweak: If you are struggling with uneven skin tone, redness, or blemishes, you could alternate your retinol nights with a Niacinamide serum like Vichy LiftActiv Niacinamide Serum. Niacinamide skincare skin works to regulate oil, calm the skin and strengthen the skin barrier as well as aid pigmentation concerns.


3. A richer moisturiser to help skin feel deeply nourished overnight like Vichy LiftActiv Collagen Specialist Night Cream designed to target the visible signs of ageing.

Weekly:

• Gentle exfoliation (1–2 times) to support skin renewal and help skincare absorb more effectively

The priority shifts for menopausal skin: focus on hydration, barrier support, and collagen-supporting skincare over aggressive exfoliation or mattifying products.

References:

Citation: 1. Brincat, M., Moniz, C. J., Studd, J. W., Darby, A., Magos, A., Emburey, G., & Versi, E. (1985). "Skin collagen changes in postmenopausal women receiving different regimens of estrogen therapy." Obstetrics & Gynecology, 62(6), 708-712.

2. Flament F, Jiang R, Delaunay C, Kerob D, Leclerc-Mercier S, Kosmadaki M, Roó E, Haag T, Passeron T, Zouboulis CC. Evaluation of adapted dermocosmetic regimens for perimenopausal and menopausal women using an artificial intelligence-based algorithm and quality of life questionnaires: An open observational study. Skin Res Technol. 2023 Jul;29(7):e13349. doi: 10.1111/srt.13349. PMID: 37522490; PMCID: PMC10293886.