Why Skin Becomes Drier During Perimenopause and Menopause
Pure Tone Aesthetics · Dry and Changing Skin
Why Skin Becomes Drier During Perimenopause and Menopause
If your skin suddenly feels drier, tighter or more easily irritated, you are not imagining it.
Dry and itchy skin can become more noticeable during perimenopause, menopause and the years that follow. Your usual moisturiser may no longer feel enough, make-up may catch on areas that once felt smooth, and fine lines can appear deeper when your skin is dehydrated.
We want to help you understand why this may be happening and what you can change first without making your routine more complicated.
The quick answer
Skin can become drier during perimenopause and menopause because natural ageing and hormonal changes can affect how well it holds water and how much oil it produces.
Less oil
Your skin may produce less of the natural oil that helps it feel soft and comfortable.
More water loss
Your skin may lose water more easily, leaving it feeling tight or looking more creased.
Greater sensitivity
A weakened or unsettled skin barrier can make familiar products feel less comfortable.
The first response should usually be simple. Cleanse carefully, support hydration, moisturise consistently and avoid changing several products at once.
What may be changing
Why skin may become drier
Your skin naturally changes with age, but perimenopause and menopause can make those changes feel more noticeable.
You may produce less oil, your skin may hold onto water less effectively and the protective surface barrier may feel less resilient than it once did.
This can leave your skin feeling tight after cleansing, uncomfortable in colder weather or dry again only a few hours after applying moisturiser.
“One of the things we hear most from women in their 40s and 50s is that their skin suddenly feels different. It can become drier, tighter and less predictable, even though they haven’t changed anything. We wanted our skincare to respond to that reality — not with more steps, but with a simple routine that helps skin feel comfortable and properly supported again.”
Steven Ballard, Co-Founder, Pure Tone AestheticsDry and itchy skin are recognised symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, but not every case of dryness is caused by hormones. Weather, medication, medical conditions, over-cleansing and unsuitable products can also play a part.
If you are noticing other changes alongside dryness, our guide to how your skin changes from your 40s to menopause looks at the wider picture, including sensitivity, fine lines, dullness and changes in texture.
If you are currently going through perimenopause, you can also read our guide to how perimenopause affects your skin, where we look more closely at dryness, sensitivity, breakouts and why your skin can become less predictable.
Know the difference
Dry skin or dehydrated skin?
The words are often used as though they mean the same thing, but there is a useful difference.
Dry skin
Dry skin lacks oil.
- It may feel rough or flaky
- It may feel tight after washing
- It can become more uncomfortable in cold weather
- It often needs more moisturising support
Dehydrated skin
Dehydrated skin lacks water.
- Fine lines may look deeper
- Your skin may look dull or creased
- It can still appear oily in places
- It may improve briefly after serum or moisturiser
You can have dry skin, dehydrated skin or both at the same time.
How dryness can show up
What you may notice
Dryness is not always obvious flaking. It can show up in smaller ways first.
- Your skin feels tight after cleansing
- Make-up no longer sits smoothly
- Fine lines look more noticeable by the afternoon
- Your usual moisturiser seems to disappear quickly
- Your skin feels itchy without an obvious rash
- Some areas feel rough while others still become shiny
- Products that once felt comfortable begin to sting
Pay attention to how your skin feels throughout the day, not just immediately after you apply your products.
Start with the first step
Could cleansing be making dryness worse?
If your skin feels tight immediately after washing, your cleansing routine may be removing more than your skin can comfortably tolerate.
This does not mean you should stop cleansing properly. Make-up, SPF and daily build-up still need to be removed. It means the way you cleanse may need to become gentler.
Try this
- Use lukewarm water
- Massage gently rather than scrubbing
- Pat your skin dry
- Use a cleanser that does not leave a stripped feeling
Avoid this
- Very hot water
- Harsh facial scrubs
- Repeated cleansing without a clear reason
- Rubbing your face dry with a towel
Our Foaming Facial Cleansing Gel was developed to remove daily build-up while fitting into a simple routine for changing skin.
Add water before you seal it in
How serum can support dehydrated skin
A serum gives you a focused step between cleansing and moisturising.
If your skin looks tired, feels tight or shows dehydration lines, choose a serum designed to support hydration and skin comfort rather than introducing several strong actives at the same time.
Apply it to clean skin and give it a moment to settle before moisturising.
Where polynucleotide skincare fits
Topical polynucleotide skincare is used in routines focused on hydration, comfort and overall skin quality.
It should not be confused with injectable polynucleotide treatment. A serum works at the surface of your skin as part of a cosmetic routine.
Our Polynucleotide Serum is the treatment step in our three-product routine.
For more detail, read our polynucleotide skincare guide.
Seal and support
How to use moisturiser properly
Moisturiser helps reduce water loss and supports the protective surface of your skin.
If your skin has become drier, you may need to use a little more than you once did, especially in the evening or during colder weather.
Make your moisturiser work harder
- Apply it after serum rather than waiting until your skin feels completely dry
- Use enough to cover your face and neck comfortably
- Add a little more to areas that feel particularly dry
- Use it consistently rather than only when dryness becomes severe
Our Polynucleotide Moisturising Cream completes the routine by helping your skin retain hydration and feel more comfortable.
Dry and itchy skin
What to do if your skin feels itchy
Itching can happen when skin becomes dry or irritated, but it has many possible causes.
Use lukewarm rather than hot water and choose gentle, unperfumed products while your skin feels unsettled. Avoid scratching, as this can damage the skin and make irritation worse.
If the itching is severe, persistent, widespread or accompanied by a rash, swelling or other symptoms, speak to a pharmacist or GP rather than assuming menopause is the cause.
Fine lines and dryness
Why fine lines may look deeper when your skin is dry
Dryness does not create every line, but it can make existing lines look more pronounced.
When your skin holds less water, the surface can appear more creased and less supple. This is why fine lines may look deeper at the end of the day or during colder weather.
Supporting hydration will not remove every line, but it can help your skin look smoother and more comfortable.
Keep it dependable
A simple routine for dry changing skin
Step one — cleanse carefully.
Step two — apply a hydrating or skin-supporting serum.
Step three — finish with moisturiser.
Step four — use broad-spectrum SPF every morning.
That is a complete daily foundation. Add other products only when they have a clear purpose and your skin is comfortable.
If you are already in menopause and want to build the rest of your routine around these changes, our guide to the best skincare routine during menopause covers cleansing, serum, moisturiser, SPF and how to approach stronger actives.
Optional technology
Using skincare devices when your skin feels dry
You may still be able to use home beauty devices when your skin is dry, provided the device is suitable for you and your skin is not irritated.
Pause device use if your skin feels sore, inflamed, unusually reactive or uncomfortable. Do not introduce a new device at the same time as several new skincare products.
Radiance Pod™
Use Radiance Pod with the recommended conductor gel and follow the supplied usage and suitability guidance.
Pure Tone Glow™
Use Pure Tone Glow on clean, dry skin and follow the instructions supplied with the mask.
A device should support your routine, not push your skin through discomfort.
When skincare is not enough
When to ask for professional advice
Dry skin can have many causes and should not automatically be put down to perimenopause or menopause.
Speak to a pharmacist, GP or suitably qualified skin professional if dryness or itching is severe, keeps returning, affects your daily life or appears alongside a new rash, swelling or other symptoms.
Skincare can support how your skin looks and feels, but it cannot diagnose or treat a medical condition.
FAQs
Does perimenopause cause dry skin?
Dry and itchy skin can occur during perimenopause. Hormonal changes, natural ageing, weather, medication and skincare habits may all contribute.
Why does skin get drier during menopause?
Your skin may produce less oil and lose water more easily as it changes with age and menopause. This can leave it feeling tighter, rougher or less comfortable.
What is the difference between dry and dehydrated skin?
Dry skin lacks oil, while dehydrated skin lacks water. You can experience one or both, and dehydrated skin can still appear oily in places.
Why is my skin dry but still oily?
Your skin may be dehydrated even if it still produces oil. Tightness, dullness and more visible fine lines can be signs that it lacks water.
Should I cleanse less often if my skin is dry?
You should still remove make-up, SPF and daily build-up properly. Focus on gentler cleansing rather than simply avoiding it.
Should I use more moisturiser during menopause?
You may need more moisturising support than before. Adjust the amount according to how your skin feels and the weather.
Are polynucleotides suitable for dry menopausal skin?
Topical polynucleotide skincare may fit a routine focused on hydration, comfort and overall skin quality. It should not be confused with injectable treatment.
Why do my wrinkles look worse when my skin is dry?
Dehydration can make the surface of your skin look more creased, which may make existing fine lines appear deeper.
Can I use Radiance Pod or an LED mask if my skin is dry?
You may be able to, provided your skin is comfortable and no contraindication applies. Pause use if your skin is irritated and follow the instructions supplied with the device.
When should I see a GP about dry or itchy skin?
Seek advice if the itching or dryness is severe, persistent, widespread, keeps returning or appears with a rash, swelling or other symptoms.
Final thoughts
Dryness during perimenopause and menopause can make your skin feel unfamiliar, but adding more products is not always the answer.
Start with the foundation. Cleanse carefully, support hydration and moisturise consistently.
Give your skin time to settle before you add anything else.
Support dry changing skin with a simpler routine
Explore our three-step skincare range or continue with our guides to perimenopause and menopause skincare.
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