The hormone-skin connection: Understanding perimenopause and menopause

Discover how hormonal changes affect your skin in perimenopause and menopause, and how targeted, science-backed care supports smart ageing.

There’s a moment, often subtle at first, when your skin doesn’t quite behave the way it used to. The glow feels dimmer. Makeup sits differently. Products that once worked wonders suddenly fall flat. Welcome to the hormonal shift that is perimenopause – a biological milestone that changes not just how you feel, but how your skin functions.

For years, conversations about menopause focused on hot flushes and mood swings. But beneath the surface, one of the most profound shifts occurs in your skin. As oestrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate, so does the architecture of your complexion. Collagen – the protein responsible for firmness and bounce – declines by as much as 30 per cent in the first five years after menopause. The skin barrier becomes thinner, drier and more reactive. You may notice redness where there was once calmness or fine lines that seem to deepen overnight.

This isn’t just “ageing” … It’s hormonal ageing. And it requires a different conversation.

When “anti-ageing” misses the point

Traditional anti-ageing formulas were designed to tackle wrinkles and pigmentation, but they rarely considered the hormonal landscape beneath. During perimenopause and menopause, skin physiology changes at a cellular level. Your skin’s oil production drops, hydration decreases and your pH becomes less acidic, weakening its natural defences.

Meanwhile, glycation – the process where sugar molecules bind to collagen and elastin, stiffening them – accelerates. This internal “caramelisation” makes the skin less supple and more prone to dullness. Add to this the stress hormone cortisol, which rises in midlife and further compromises barrier repair, and you have the perfect storm for sensitivity, dryness and inflammation.

The answer isn’t to fight ageing – it’s to work with it supporting your skin through perimenopause and its hormonal evolution with targeted, science-backed care.

That’s where Synergie Skin steps in.

The science of hormonal skin support

Certain ingredients have emerged as game-changers in this area of skin science, offering specific support for oestrogen-deprived skin.

Soy isoflavones are phytoestrogens – plant-based compounds that mimic the effects of oestrogen in the skin. Studies show they help boost collagen synthesis and improve elasticity, making them ideal for restoring firmness during menopause.

Pink microalgae is another powerful ally for your skin. Rich in antioxidants and natural peptides, it works to defend against glycation – the invisible culprit behind the loss of youthful resilience.

Carnosine, a naturally occurring dipeptide, offers dual protection: it neutralises free radicals and inhibits glycation, effectively slowing the cascade of oxidative stress that accelerates visible ageing.

Together, these three potent ingredients represent a shift toward “smart ageing” – skincare that respects biology rather than resisting it.

Clean Science® and ethical efficacy

For over two decades, Australian brand Synergie Skin has championed this philosophy through its Clean Science® approach. Founded by cosmetic chemist Terri Vinson Jones, the brand bridges the gap between laboratory precision and conscious formulation, proving that high performance doesn’t have to come at the expense of safety or sustainability.

Their latest innovation, PressPause, embodies this ethos. Designed specifically for perimenopausal and menopausal skin, the serum harnesses soy isoflavones, pink microalgae and carnosine to target collagen loss, dryness and sensitivity. Backed by clinical research, it’s a product born not from marketing trends but from genuine biochemical understanding.

While PressPause stands out as a personalised solution, it also symbolises something larger: the recognition that women’s skin deserves research and respect.

Beyond skincare: lifestyle synergy

Skincare alone can’t outpace hormonal changes, but it can work in harmony with lifestyle habits that support skin longevity. Managing stress is crucial as high cortisol levels accelerate collagen breakdown. Prioritising sleep, practising mindfulness and engaging in regular movement all help balance hormonal rhythms.

Nutrition also plays a quiet but powerful role. Reducing sugar intake minimises glycation, while omega-3-rich foods like salmon, sardines, chia and flaxseeds along with adequate hydration nourish the skin from within. Together, these practices form the foundation of what might be called “whole-body dermatology” – the understanding that how we live directly shapes how our skin ages.

Pressing pause and moving forward

Your mindset is important here. Menopause isn’t a decline; it’s a recalibration. Our skin reflects that story – one of transformation, resilience and renewal. By approaching this stage with curiosity and care, we can redefine what ageing beautifully means.

Smart ageing isn’t about turning back time; it’s about supporting your biology with intelligence and integrity. And when science, self-care and ethical innovation meet – as they do in formulas like PressPause – the result is not just better skin, but a more empowered relationship with the mirror.

Visit synergieskin.com to learn more.

References

Shuster S, Black MM, McVitie E. The influence of age and sex on skin thickness, skin collagen and density. Br J Dermatol. 1975 Dec;93(6):639-43. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1975.tb05113.x. PMID: 1220811.