October 2022

A new British Skin Foundation survey has found that nearly a quarter of people feel embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their experience of menopause.

Although skin symptoms are very common, with 85% of people experiencing some skin changes during the menopause, 24% of survey respondents felt embarrassed to discuss it. 87% of dermatologists agreed that most people who go through the menopause will experience changes in their skin, highlighting how prevalent menopausal skin changes are.

The most common skin symptom reported was excessive dryness (21%), followed by laxity of the skin (18%), excessive signs of ageing (15%), alterations in pigment (12%), rosacea or broken blood vessels (8%) and late onset acne (6%). Only 15% of survey respondents reported no changes to their skin.

Despite how common menopausal skin changes are, 22% of respondents felt they were uninformed about the effects of the menopause before going through it. The British Skin Foundation believes it is vital to encourage conversations around the menopause and remove any embarrassment to ensure everyone has access to the information they need about their skin.

Three quarters of dermatologists surveyed stated that menopausal skin requires a change in skin care products to coincide with the skin changes. This may include adding extra moisture to the skin where needed and using a topical retinoid product at night.

Eleanor Lloyd of the British Skin Foundation says, ‘It is evident from our survey results that the menopause causes a whole host of skin symptoms, with varying degrees of severity, for a lot of people. Unfortunately, some stigma is still associated with the menopause which may create a barrier to people talking about what they are going through and ultimately seeking help and guidance. It is vital that we open up these conversations and make sure that everyone receives the information and support they need’.

Donate to fund research   The impact of menopause on your skin   'The Ages of our Skin' explores skin changes 

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