The 18 Best Beauty and Wellness Products for Menopause and Perimenopause

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Skincare trends come and go—and while some may not be long for this world, others make us wonder how they took so long to get here in the first place. Case in point: the influx of brands and products speaking to those in perimenopause and menopause.

“In recent years, there has been a major shift in people’s openness to discussing once taboo topics spanning from mental health to menopause,” says Philadelphia-based board-certified dermatologist Nazanin Saedi. “Additionally, I think skincare over the years has become so much more personalized. Skincare companies, dermatologists, and many more of my patients know that skincare is not one-size-fits-all.”

One of those personalizations is finally addressing the changes in skin and hair that can come along with menopause and perimenopause as a result of decreased estrogen levels. “Estrogen boosts the production of ceramides, natural hyaluronic acid, and sebum,” explains the derm. “With a decrease in these, water is able to more easily leave the skin and leave it more dry.”

However you’re trying to tailor your routine to these newfound changes, we’ve gathered 18 of the best skincare, hair, and body products for perimenopause and menopause. Read on for more advice from Saedi, as well as Monica Grover, OBGYN and Chief Medical Officer at VSPOT.

Emepelle Night Cream

The entire Emepelle line is formulated to address EDS, a.k.a. Estrogen Deficient Skin. “Its MEP Technology is an exclusive non-hormonal ingredient that has been clinically proven to help restore collagen loss and the natural function of Estrogen Deficient Skin for improved firmness, hydration and luminosity,” says Saedi, adding that “Their line of products also include niacinamide, antioxidants, peptides, and hyaluronic acid—all ingredients that help hydrate, plump, and protect the skin.”

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Emepelle Night Cream

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Calming Face Mist

This cooling face mist that can help soothe hot flashes, a.k.a. one of menopause’s most dreaded symptoms. Spritz the formula—made with hydrating ectoine and hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and calming edelweiss flower extract—on your face and your neck anytime you could use a cool-down.

White Pine Meno-Reverse™ Up-Lift Sculptor

This tightening, hydrating serum is designed specifically for the neck and décolleté. But you’ll be obsessed with the delivery system, a metal roller that massages and cools the skin as you apply it.

Plump It Up

You probably already know the merits of retinol in an anti-aging regimen, but when your skin is going through hormonal changes, it needs extra coddling. Womaness’s gentle serum contains a low concentration of retinol (0.3 percent) plus hyaluronic acid and ceramide NG to plump the look of wrinkles and minimize risk of irritation.

Collagen Boosting Moisturizer

Moisturizer has never been more important than during perimenopause and menopause. This multitasking formula has hydrating glycerin, vitamin C-rich kadaku plum, brightening niacinamide, and a proprietary ingredient blend to help boost collagen production.

Neovadiol Peri-Menopause Day Cream

Vichy’s face cream is formulated specifically for those in perimenopause. In addition to plumping cassia extract and hyaluronic acid, it also has protective Vichy volcanic water. Plus, the formula has an allergy- and sensitive-skin-tested fragrance, a relief for temperamental skin.

Menopause Skincare Protect & Hydrate Day Cream with SPF 30

Of course, a daytime moisturizer is just as important—and one with SPF in the formula is always a plus. The formula is on the rich side so your skin won’t look or feel dry under makeup, and it’s dermatologist-approved for menopausal skin.

REVEAL Biomimetic Peel Pads with LSR10®

Ever’s skincare is designed for the changes our skin goes through during your 30s and beyond. With caviar lime, azelaic acid, and willow bark, each peel pad helps clear pores and exfoliate skin without irritation.

One Perfect Revival Eye Cream

Knours focuses on what they call the three M’s: menstruation, maternity, and menopause. This eye cream is suitable for all cycles and skin types, and is made with a vegan peptide to tighten skin, as well as four growth factors to help boost collagen and elastin production. Apply it using the cooling ceramic tip for a mini massage.

Clinical Phytoestrogen Elasticity Repair Body Treatment

Of course, hormonal skin changes can occur below the neck too. This serum-like Paula’s Choice body treatment is designed to address thin skin texture, dryness, and skin elasticity in estrogen-depleted skin.

Soak It Up – Magnesium Bath Soak

Unprecedented—and often unexplained—aches and pains are another not-so-fun side effect of perimenopause and menopause. Try adding this a scoop-full of this bath soak to a warm bath, as it can help ease muscles as it hydrates skin.

Women’s Balance

Nutrafol has long been one of the few hair-growth supplements that actually works. The Women’s Balance formula is formulated for women 45 and older experiencing hair thinning due to factors like hormones, aging, and metabolism (sound familiar?). Even better: Some users also report improved symptoms like reduced hot flashes and better sleep.

Wake Up Call Volumizing Shampoo

Styling products can exacerbate any dryness your hair and scalp might be experiencing as you head into menopause. This sulfate-free shampoo formula ingredients like sage, caffeine, and biotin to refresh the scalp and reduce breakage, and it won’t strip away natural oils.

Good Sex – The Anti Aging Intimate Moisturizer

Those dealing with vaginal dryness can consider an intimate moisturizer, such as these suppositories. According to Grover, the suppositories “increase collagen and mucosal production” and “help prevent signs of aging such as vaginal atrophy, the loss of elastin, and collagen.”

Honor Everyday Balm

Another option for vaginal dryness, this moisturizing balm features anti-inflammatory German chamomile extract as well as nourishing meadowfoam. It can be used every day, or as needed.

Pause

Believe it or not, this fragrance was formulated specifically for those experiencing perimenopause. Featuring notes like mimosa and violet leaf, it’s designed to help with unpredictable factors like mood, stress, anxiety, and sleep.

Perimenopause Test

It can be hard to know if you’ve actually reached perimenopause, so Everlywell has a test for that. The at-home finger-prick test measures levels for three hormones thar shift during the menopausal transition, so you can be better equipped.

Hot Flash

Can a patch really help ease hot flashes? It might. Reviewers rave about these discreet adhesive patches, made with black cohosh (often used to treat the condition), hemp extract, and menthol—plus, they last eight to 12 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Difference Between Menopause and Perimenopause?

Perimenopause isn’t just the time before menopause—your body experiences actual changes during it. “Often when we think of perimenopause, we automatically think of it as when a woman first starts to experience a pattern of irregular menses due to the beginning of a decline of hormones,” says Grover. “However, our hormones actually start to depreciate in our 30s and decline more steadily around 40 years of age.”

In these years leading into menopause, “Women start to experience vague symptoms of fatigue, cognitive decline, mental fogginess, low libido, irritability, and eventually irregular menses and hot flashes.” Eventually, those symptoms become full menopause. “Menopause means your periods have ended,” says the OB-GYN, adding that “When you have no menstrual cycle for a full 12 months, you have officially reached menopause.”

When Does Perimenopause and Menopause Start?

Hormonal changes can start earlier than you might think. “Perimenopause may begin as early as your mid-30s, and the average age of onset with irregular menses is 48 years old,” says Grover. “[Irregular periods] usually start a few years before you start menopause, which is typically around 52 years.”

How Does Skin Change During Perimenopause and Menopause?

You may find that your normal skincare routine isn’t working like it used to. “Even with proper sun protection and defense against other damaging factors, declining estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause can lead to dryness, dullness, thinning, and wrinkling in the skin,” says Saedi.

There’s also a major change to the composition of skin. “In the first few years of menopause, there is a significant drop in the amount of collagen. In fact, 30 percent of the skin’s collagen is lost within the first five years of menopause, and there is a 2.1 percent loss each year thereafter,” says the derm, adding that “This is a big reason why the skin appears more saggy and less firm.”

What Products Should You Use During Perimenopause and Menopause?

In general, hair will feel drier, as will skin from head to toe. “If you notice your skin looking or feeling drier, hydration is key,” says Saedi, who recommends products with humectant ingredients like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, which can give skin a plumper appearance. “Formulations that include peptides are also beneficial, as they can help increase collagen production, helping to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles,” says the derm.

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