what happens to skin during perimenopause + menopause?

Hormonal changes, especially declining estrogen and fluctuating progesterone, have a direct impact on the skin’s structure and response.

A natural decrease in estrogen during this time can cause skin to become thinner, drier, more sensitive, and prone to irritation. When progesterone fluctuates, the skin becomes more prone to inflammation, which can contribute to redness, flushing, and an overall increase in skin sensitivity.

what are the biomarkers of menopause? 

In perimenopause and menopause, biomarkers are the measurable indicators that reveal the biological shifts happening beneath the surface.

• Dryness + Dullness: Declining estrogen slows the skin’s ability to produce essential lipids, which weakens the skin barrier and increases transepidermal water loss
• Loss of Firmness + Elasticity: As estrogen declines, fibroblast activity is reduced, leading to slower collagen production and degradation of existing elastin fibers
• Increased Sensitivity + Flushing: Hot flashes, caused by vasomotor instability, lead to sudden dilation of blood vessels near the skin’s surface, which results in flushing and sensations of heat.
• Hyperpigmentation: As hormone levels decline, melanin production becomes irregular, leading to dark spots and sun patches
• Thinning Skin: Reduced estrogen levels lead to a decline in keratinocyte proliferation, resulting in the epidermis being thinner and more fragile