Perimenopausal and Menopausal Skin: What Leading Aesthetic Experts Say Matters Most

Perimenopause and menopause are not singular events. They are transitions that unfold over years. Subtle at first, then unmistakable. Energy shifts. Sleep becomes elusive. Mood changes. And for many women, skin is the first place these internal changes quietly appear.

Loss of radiance. Increased dryness. Thinning texture. A face that no longer reflects how vibrant you still feel.

These changes were the focus of a recent Thriving in Aesthetics roundtable discussion, hosted by Dr. Sabrina Fabi and Dr. Steven Dayan, and later published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. The panel, comprised of dermatologists, a gynecologist, and a facial plastic surgeon, came together to establish best practices for treating perimenopausal and menopausal skin.

Their conclusion was clear: hormonal skin aging is real, deeply biological, and best addressed through an integrated, whole-woman approach.

The Hormone–Skin Connection We Don’t Talk About Enough

As estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels decline during perimenopause and menopause, skin undergoes structural and functional changes that go far beyond dryness or wrinkles.

Estrogen plays a critical role in:

• Supporting collagen and elastin production
• Maintaining dermal thickness
• Preserving blood flow and hydration
• Supporting overall skin resilience

According to data discussed in the roundtable, women may lose up to 30% of their skin’s collagen within the first five years of menopause, followed by continued collagen loss annually. The result is skin that becomes thinner, drier, less elastic, and slower to recover.

But what’s often overlooked is the emotional impact of these changes. When skin no longer mirrors how a woman feels internally, it can quietly affect confidence, self-perception, and quality of life.

A Shift in Aesthetic Thinking: Treat the Skin, Respect the Stage

One of the most important insights from the Thriving in Aesthetics discussion was the rejection of one-size-fits-all solutions. The panel emphasized that menopausal skin cannot be treated like younger skin, nor can it be fully addressed with a single modality.

Instead, the experts agreed that optimal outcomes come from a multimodal strategy, combining:

• Hormonal support when appropriate and physician-guided
• Regenerative in-office treatments to stimulate collagen and restore structure
• Thoughtful topical skincare to support barrier function, hydration, and skin quality

As Dr. Fabi and Dr. Dayan underscored, the goal is not to “reverse aging,” but to support skin through a biologically significant transition — one that every woman experiences, yet rarely feels fully prepared for.

Why Daily Topical Skincare Matters More During Menopause

While procedures and hormone therapies play an important role, the panel repeatedly emphasized that daily topical skincare becomes foundational during perimenopause and menopause.

Hormone-deficient skin is often:

• More reactive and sensitive
• Slower to repair
• More vulnerable to stress and inflammation
• More closely tied to emotional wellbeing

As research into the skin–brain axis expands, skincare is increasingly understood not just as a cosmetic intervention, but as a way to support how skin functions.

Where XOMD Fits In

This evolving understanding is where XOMD comes in. XOMD’s topical skincare solutions are designed to support perimenopausal and menopausal skin by improving skin quality while creating an oxytocin-like effect in the skin.

By working through skin’s sensory and neurobiological pathways, XOMD helps reinforce comfort, confidence, and skin wellbeing during a time of profound internal change.

The Bigger Takeaway: Skin Is Part of the Menopause Experience

Menopause is inevitable. Skin changes are normal. But feeling disconnected from your reflection doesn’t have to be.

The Thriving in Aesthetics roundtable reinforces an important truth: when women are supported with care that respects both the biology of aging and the emotional experience of this life stage, outcomes improve — not just in skin appearance, but in confidence and quality of life.

At XOMD, we believe skincare during perimenopause and menopause should feel intelligent, supportive, and deeply aligned with how women want to feel in their skin.