Yawn yawn I know, but I simply can’t accept that women all over the world are struggling with something that can be so easily fixed. No, not menopause itself, as that’s well and truly in the lap of the Gods, and a fundamental part of our intrinsic ageing process..but the effect that this hormonal milestone has on our skin.
Peri-menopausal skin problems including the sudden onset of acne and extreme skin dryness can be sudden and brutal. Yes, I know – another article about the looming changes that women in their 40s and 50s will have the joy of experiencing! But as someone who once glazed over at the mere mention of peri-menopause, I now get it. Yes, turning 48 this year has catapulted me into this exciting yet rollercoaster-like hormonal adventure myself, and I've gained a whole new perspective!
The Menopausal Skin Revolution: More Than Just Another Trending Topic
As the founder of Robyn Skincare, and as a busy mother of two (plus 3 furbabies), my journey through peri-menopausal hormone fluctuations is both a personal evolution and a professional revelation. It can be a confusing, and if I’m honest….exhausting phase. In one breath I’d say “I love the transition, I feel wiser, more grounded, and more sure of myself,” whilst in another breath (often seconds later), I’d say, “my hair is shedding, my brain has been put in a liquidiser, and I’d really appreciate another 5 hours sleep every night”…..but there’s one thing I will NEVER have to say, and that’s “my skin is dry, flaky and dull,” and here’s why…..
Understanding Menopausal Skin: The Science Behind the Changes
In short, when we start getting on a bit (let’s call it ‘mature’) the following starts to happen, which can cause very real and bothersome physical changes….and in particular, dry skin:
- Estrogen levels decline significantly, which affects:
- Natural oil (sebum) production decreases
- Hyaluronic acid production reduces
- Collagen production slows down
- Ceramide levels drop
- These changes lead to:
- Reduced skin barrier function
- Decreased water retention
- Impaired skin lipid production
- Less effective moisture-locking ability
You can also experience the sudden onset of acne, even if you’ve never had a spot in your life. Bizarre I know, but hormonal fluctuations can cause:
- Relative increase in androgens compared to declining estrogen
- Testosterone becomes more dominant
- This triggers increased sebum production in some areas
- Additionally:
- Skin cell turnover slows
- Dead skin cells can build up
- Combination of excess oil and dead cells leads to clogged pores
- Inflammation increases
- Stress during this life phase can exacerbate breakouts
This explains why many women experience both dryness and acne simultaneously during peri-menopause, as different areas of the face can react differently to the hormonal changes.
The Power of Natural Ingredients for Menopausal Skin
As the Founder and Formulator of Robyn Skincare I’m lucky enough to use utterly amazing natural ingredients on a daily basis, and whilst experiencing ups and downs in other areas, my skin health isn’t something that keeps me awake at night!
It’s important to really look after yourself during this time, and to keep things as natural as possible….in terms of quality nutrition, a clean water supply, a lower intake of alcohol, regular weight bearing exercise, and also in terms of personal grooming products and skincare which can have a cumulative effect on both our skin health, and overall body health. There are huge amounts of toxic chemicals in our ‘environment’ that really don’t do us any favours (and often can’t be avoided), so being mindful not to place any ‘extra’ burden on our bodies at this time is super important.
In terms of hormonal imbalances I probably know more than most having a scientific background, however I’m certainly not qualified to advise; but when it comes to skincare and skin health, I’d love nothing more than to help get people back on track, so they can re-find their confidence and start loving their skin again. Some people may say “it shouldn’t matter what you look like,” but actually, it does. Not for anyone else, but for yourself….. and when you look in the mirror and see healthy and hydrated skin, it absolutely gives you a mental boost. So let's dive into the science behind our carefully selected natural skincare ingredients and why they're particularly effective for peri-menopausal and menopausal skin changes:
1. Essential Fatty Acids and Barrier Repair
During menopause, estrogen decline leads to a decrease in skin lipids (fats), compromising the skin barrier. Our formulations address this by including the following ingredients in various products across the Limitless Collection:
- Argan Oil (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil): Rich in essential fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid and omega-6, it helps restore the skin's lipid barrier. Studies show it increases skin elasticity by 48% and reduces transepidermal water loss significantly (See our Facial Oil)
- Rosehip Oil (Rosa Canina Fruit Oil): Contains high levels of trans-retinoic acid, a natural precursor to vitamin A, along with essential fatty acids. Clinical studies demonstrate its ability to improve skin moisture by 67% and reduce the appearance of fine lines by 43% (See our Facial Cream)
- Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil): Its molecular structure closely resembles human sebum, making it exceptionally effective at balancing menopausal skin's oil production. It's also rich in vitamin E and B-complex vitamins (See our Cleansing Treatment)
2. Advanced Hydration Complex
Menopausal skin experiences up to a 30% decrease in hyaluronic acid production. Hyaluronic Acid enables the skin to pull in waters to maintain hydration. Any change in this area makes a huge difference to how our skin looks, feels and functions. Our Facial Serum formula combats this with:
- 3 different weights of sodium hyaluronate (a superior form of hyaluronic acid), enabling hydration and plumping at surface, mid and deeper levels of the skin. In short, this formula won’t just help you to look refreshed and more youthful for a few hours, but will work tirelessly in a ‘functional’ way to enhance the structure of your skin, and provide ‘sustained’ hydration.
- Bitter Orange Flower Water (Citrus Aurantium Amara): Contains natural humectants and bioflavonoids that help skin retain moisture while providing anti-inflammatory benefits.
- Roman Chamomile Water (Anthemis Nobilis): Helps calm hormonal skin irritation while providing essential minerals that support skin barrier function.
3. Collagen Support and Anti-Aging Powerhouses
- Bakuchiol (Sytenol® A): Our star ingredient that features in ‘every single product’ deserves a standing ovation. Unlike other forms of bakuchiol, Sytenol® A is clinically proven to:
- Upregulate type I, III, and IV collagen production
- Increase cell turnover by 44%
- Reduce matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, which breaks down collagen
- Provide antioxidant protection against free radical damage
- Work synergistically with the skin's natural repair mechanisms
- Squalane, which can be found in our Facial Balm Mask, is derived from olives, and it mimics our skin's natural oils which decline during menopause. Studies show it:
- Reduces fine lines by up to 51%
- Increases skin hydration by 88%
- Strengthens the skin barrier within 1 hour of application
4. Advanced Protection Complex
- Pomegranate Bark Extract (Punica Granatum) found in our Facial Cream is rich in punicalagins and ellagic acid which helps:
- Protect against collagen degradation
- Reduce inflammation associated with hormonal changes
- Provide powerful antioxidant protection
- Seabuckthorn Extract (Hippophae Rhamnoides) also found in our Facial Cream Contains over 190 bioactive compounds, including:
- Rare omega-7 fatty acids
- Vitamins A, E, and C
- Beta-carotene
The above components help address multiple menopausal skin concerns simultaneously.
5. The Limitless Approach to Menopausal Skincare
Morning Ritual: Limitless Facial Cream
Think of our Limitless Facial Cream as your skin's daily dose of confidence. Packed with Sytenol® A Bakuchiol and nourishing organic oils, hydrosols, and extracts, it provides lasting hydration without that heavy, greasy feeling we all dread during a hot flash. The sophisticated blend of bitter orange flower water, roman chamomile and jasmine creates a sensory experience that makes "morning face" actually something to look forward to.
Evening Enhancement: Limitless Facial Oil
Our Limitless Facial Oil acts as the 24/7 wonder your skin craves. The combination of micro algae, organic argan, rosehip, and prickly pear oils, with the added enhancement of Bakuchiol, works around the clock to restore and rejuvenate skin, and without leaving an oily residue. The completely natural aromaceuticals of Tunisian Neroli and Litsea calm, reset and clear the mind.
Weekly Treatment: Facial Balm Mask
For those nights when your skin (and soul) needs extra TLC, our Facial Balm Mask takes "beauty sleep" to a whole new level. The luxurious blend of mango seed butter, cupuaçu butter, acai berry oil and our unrivalled Bakuchiol, creates the perfect "slugging" treatment for menopausal skin, and the added touches of Bergamot and Sandlewood essential oils will help you drift off into a beautiful effort-less slumber.
6. How to Combat Menopausal Acne
If a sudden onset of hormone related acne is the issue, please don't despair - nor accept that you can't do anything about it because it's 'out of your control!' It's not, because skin responds well to science - and especially the science in Robyn Skincare products. There’s no need to purchase multiple different acne treatments when all of our products multi-task for you. Sytenol ® A is an exceedingly clever, multi award-winning and safe active that targets acne in 4 key ways.
- It down-regulates the gene responsible for 5-a-reductase production (5-a-reductase converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which is implicated in hormone/androgen related acne).
- It inhibits P.acne and other bacteria and fungi in skin (P.Acnes produces lipase and lipase produces fatty acids by digesting skin sebum. This process triggers inflammation/acne).
- It inhibits/down-regulates pro-inflammatory enzymes and genes (which in turn helps to ease acne symptoms).
- It inhibits/down-regulates Matrix Metealloprotease (MMP1 and MMP3 have increased expression in acne prone skin).
An essential part of combatting acne is to prep the skin accordingly before applying leave-on products. An efficient way of doing this is to use a cleansing treatment that not only targets acne with ingredients such as Sytenol ® A, watermelon and caster seed oils, PLUS nourishes, rather than strips the skin simultaneously. Creating a healthy, more receptive canvas for which to apply leave-on products is half the battle.
7. The Natural Alternative to Retinol: Why Bakuchiol is Your New Best Friend
While retinol has long been the gold standard for mature skin, many women find it too harsh during peri-menopause and menopause, and it can make skin drier, more sensitive, and more susceptible to skin cancer due to its unstable and phototoxic properties. Enter Bakuchiol, specifically Sytenol® A Bakuchiol – the star ingredient in our Limitless Collection and the only Bakuchiol recognised by REACH as safe. And before you say ‘yeah sure, another 'miracle' ingredient?!’ let me share some impressive stats:
- Increases type 1 collagen by 43% (that's 25% more effective than retinol)
- Reduces lines and wrinkles by 20% in just 12 weeks
- Improves skin dryness and roughness by 90%
- Reduces acne by 58% in just 6 weeks
- Safe to apply during the day
- Delivers visible results within days, without the irritation commonly associated with retinol
8. Clean Beauty for Conscious Women
In creating these formulations, I was also adamant about what ‘wouldn't’ go into our products, so you won't find any of following in Robyn Skincare products:
- Artificial colors or fragrances (no Parfum or Fragrance)
- Synthetic preservatives or chelating agents (Phenoxyethanol, BHA, BHT, EDTA)
- Phthalates (DEP)
- PEGs
- Parabens (butylparaben, methylparaben)
Plus, all our products are vegan-friendly and PETA-certified cruelty-free.
The Bottom Line
Yes, menopause is having its moment in the spotlight, and perhaps we're all getting a bit fatigued by the constant conversation, but as someone in the thick of it, and developing skincare solutions for fellow peri-menopausal and menopausal women, I can tell you that this attention is long overdue. Our skin's needs change dramatically during this time, and having effective, natural solutions makes a real difference in how we face these changes – both literally and figuratively. Choosing quality products that understand and address these changes with proven ingredients and thoughtful formulations will atleast address one aspect of this complex journey, and your skin's future-self will thank you.
Until the next time….