Menopause has a way of arriving quietly. One day you’re still talking about periods, and the next you realise they’re firmly behind you. For me, at 55, I’m grateful that my own clumsiness and brain fog don’t seem any worse (there is a diagnosis for that, which I’ll share another time). Right now, I’m banking on the things I am grateful for. But I also have friends who are truly suffering — struggling with sleep, energy, hot flushes, and reflections in the mirror that suddenly feel unfamiliar.
Looking back, I can see it in our mothers too: the loss of confidence, the endless search for the perfect cream, the unspoken sense of being a little less visible. They didn’t always have the language or the support that we have today (and even now, it’s often still not enough).
The difference now is that the science and expertise are available — and I feel privileged to be working alongside women who have devoted their time to learning, understanding, and sharing their passion to help others. What I’ve written below is just a tiny snippet of their knowledge. I’m sure many of you will have more questions, and I hope you’ll ask them.
What’s Really Happening in the Skin
The science is clear: when oestrogen levels decline, the skin feels it. Collagen production begins to drop, hydration decreases, and elasticity changes. Within the first five years after menopause, women can lose up to 30% of their skin collagen.
This doesn’t all happen at once. In the first few months, you may notice dryness, dullness, or lines that feel more visible. Over the first year, the decline accelerates. By five years, the structure and tone of the skin are often very different from before. It’s not “just ageing.” It’s biology in transition.
Why Care Needs to Be Broader
Notwithstanding what the smiley face in the advert told our mums (and sometimes still tells us), a cream alone can’t fix this. Of course, good products matter — but they work best when paired with treatments and care that support what’s happening beneath the surface.
- Collagen stimulation: microneedling, radiofrequency, or regenerative injectables can help rebuild structure.
- Hydration therapies: Hydrafacials, Fire & Ice, or biostimulators like Profhilo restore plumpness and glow.
- Regenerative medicine: this is where things become exciting. It’s not only about appearance but about skin cells — fibroblasts, keratinocytes, epidermal cells — doing their jobs better. Treatments like polynucleotides, PRP, and skin boosters work at this cellular level, improving the environment so skin functions more youthfully, not just looks fresher.
- Functional medicine: exploring nutrition, hormones, and stress can ease brain fog, poor sleep, and fatigue that inevitably show up in the skin.
The Human Side
But menopause isn’t only about science. It’s about the laughter with friends when you forget a name mid-sentence, the liberation of not needing tampons in your handbag, the shifts in mood and energy. Sometimes unsettling, sometimes empowering.
At Skin & Sanctuary, we aim to make space for both sides — the biology and the lived experience. We listen first, and then design a plan that feels right for you. Sometimes that’s a facial or a tweakment. Sometimes it’s a referral to Human Health Shoreditch with Dr Mayoni, for a deeper dive into hormones and longevity.
An Invitation
If you’re curious, or have questions, please don’t hold back. You’re welcome to drop them here — I’ll make sure the most suitable of our experts responds. Or, if you feel it’s time for a proper conversation, click below to book a consultation or Clarity Call. Both are complimentary for World Menopause Month this October.
As with all of our services, there is no pressure and no obligation — just a chance to talk about what you’ve noticed and what might help.
Because menopause isn’t about erasing lines or chasing youth. It’s about stepping into strength, intelligence, and a beauty that’s entirely your own — and supporting each other as we do it.