Getting Less Attractive & More Anxious: What Menopause Does to Your Skin

Paris - A major global survey has exposed a widespread lack of awareness about how menopause reshapes women's skin, leaving many to navigate distressing changes like dryness, wrinkles and loss of firmness largely on their own, often only after the symptoms have already taken hold.

The findings, released by dermatology leader Galderma (SIX: GALD) at the International Master Course on Aging Science (IMCAS) 2026 World Congress in Paris, draw from responses by more than 4,300 peri- and post-menopausal women aged 45-60 across nine countries on five continents, including the United States, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, China and Thailand.

Women reported experiencing an average of three noticeable skin changes since entering menopause, with lines and wrinkles (59% on the face), loss of firmness and elasticity (58% on the face, 54% on the body), increased dryness (56% on the face) and a duller complexion among the most common.

The overall severity of these changes was rated around six out of ten.

Findings show that more than half of respondents learned about menopause's effects on the skin only by living through them, typically in their 40s.

Over 30% said they wished they had known in their 30s, and more than 50% expressed neutral or outright dissatisfaction with their level of knowledge on the topic.

The emotional impact runs deep, with 60% agreeing or strongly agreeing that the changes made them feel less attractive, 57% more anxious, 55% less confident and 46% less inclined to socialise.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Doris Day highlighted the role of aesthetic interventions in turning the tide.

“Aesthetic treatments are important tools in addressing and preventing the varied menopause-related skin changes women can experience.

“Hyaluronic acid treatments can help to correct skin changes through enhanced hydration and contour, whereas biostimulators can help to regenerate skin health from the inside by boosting collagen and elastin to improve firmness and radiance.

"This survey is an important step forward in understanding the impact of menopause-related skin changes and the role that aesthetic solutions can play for both prevention and treatment,” Dr. Day said.

The decline in estrogen accelerates collagen loss, up to 30% in the first five years post-menopause, while reducing hyaluronic acid levels, leading to drier, less resilient skin prone to itchiness and sagging, the research says.

Galderma is responding by incorporating menopausal status into all future injectable aesthetics clinical trials to better understand how treatments perform during this life stage.

The company also hosted a symposium titled “Menopause in the Mirror: Challenges, Science and Aesthetic Solutions” on January 30, featuring live demonstrations and discussions.

Survey respondents showed high satisfaction with aesthetic options compared to other approaches like supplements or therapy, with many expressing interest in future treatments.

About 47% for anti-wrinkle options, 41% for hyaluronic acid fillers, and 30% for biostimulators like Sculptra.

Currently, the research shows, women tend to seek aesthetics more for correction (49%) than prevention (26%), likely because awareness often arrives too late.

Over 60% said they would have acted differently with earlier information.

“As the pure-play dermatology category leader, we are committed to driving meaningful change for every skin story,” said Bill Andriopoulos, Ph.D., Head of Global Medical Affairs at Galderma.

“Through this global survey, close collaboration with our network of experts and ensuring that menopausal status is included in all our clinical trials moving forward, we aim to elevate awareness and advance aesthetic solutions, backed by robust evidence, for women navigating this important life stage," the Doctor said.