Menopause is aphysiological phenomenonthat affects all women at some point in their lives. It generally occurs around the age of 50 and corresponds to the cessation of menstruation. Medically, a woman is considered to be menopausal when she has not had her period for a year. Menopause is accompanied by various discomforts, such as hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and urinary problems. Moreover, menopause significantly impacts the quality of the skin , which becomes drier.
The skin dryness observed during menopause can be explained by the decline in levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body.
Indeed, menopause marks thecessation of estrogen and progesterone hormonal activity, hormones that play a significant role in maintaining skin hydration. Several studies have shown that estrogens upregulate the activity of fibroblasts, the dermal cells that contribute to the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin. While the latter two are primarily involved in skin tone and elasticity, hyaluronic acid also plays a key role in its hydration. This macromolecule acts like a sponge and is capable of binding up to 1000 times its weight in water. The decrease in hyaluronic acid levels caused by menopause thus leads to skin dehydration and makes it more fragile.
The decrease in progesterone levels intensifies skin dryness. Indeed, this steroidal hormone stimulates the production of sebum by the sebaceous glands. While an excess of sebum is not desirable and can cause shininess, pore dilation, and blemishes, too low production weakens the hydrolipidic film. This invisible film located on the surface of the stratum corneum is primarily composed of sweat, sebum, and water and helps to protect the skin from dehydration by limiting transepidermal water loss.