Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it is constantly shedding and remodeling. Unfortunately, with the onset of menopause and the natural effects of aging, skin’s ability to renew itself may need a little extra boost. You don’t have to take drastic steps though. There are many effective and affordable ways to slow the aging process and the effects of reduced estrogen levels.

“You don’t have to accept aging skin,” says Wilma Bergfeld, MD, head of clinical research in the department of dermatology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. All it takes is a few adjustments in your approach to skin care.

Love Those LayersMuch like an onion, your skin is composed of layers. The top layer, the epidermis, is the toughest but thinnest. It is constantly creating new cells that rise to the surface, causing older cells to flake off. Next comes the multilayered dermis, which houses the blood supply, sebaceous (oil) glands, collagen and nerve receptors. Under the dermis lies a layer of fat.

When levels of estrogen and other hormones drop at menopause, these layers begin to thin. Estrogen is vital for keeping the skin plumped up and responsive, says Bergfeld. Specialized cells in your skin called fibroblasts house estrogen receptors on their cell membranes. When estrogen levels drop, these fibroblasts don’t produce as much protein, especially collagen, which provides bulk to the dermis. So the epidermis begins to “float” over the dermis, explains Val Lamdros, MD, a plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, Calif. It then bunches and crinkles like the skin on an overripe peach.

Falling estrogen levels also affect the blood vessels in your skin, making them stiffer and narrower, reducing blood flow. That, in turn, reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients your skin gets, starving it. Prevention is the best remedy, but it’s never too late to start giving your skin the TLC it needs.

Skin Changes to ExpectThe drop in hormones at menopause results in:

Dry skin. As collagen shrinks and fades and blood vessels deliver fewer nutrients, the oil glands in your skin don’t work as well. Even if you had oily skin in your 30s and 40s, you’ll get dry skin after menopause. “Enzymes in the skin do not renew as quickly, so less oil and vitamin E are produced, causing the skin to dry out,” says Jeannette Graf, MD, a dermatologist and skin-care ingredient consultant in Great Neck, N.Y.
Acne. Just as when you were going through adolescence, the shifting hormone levels of menopause can trigger breakouts, usually in the jaw area, says Elizabeth A. Liotta, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in Rockville, Md. But don’t reach for your teenager’s alcohol-based, over-the-counter remedy; it will only dry and irritate your skin. You need something specifically formulated for menopausal women, such as water-based, over-the-counter acne gels and lotions designed for adults; prescription low-dose topical antibiotics; and or even birth control pills.
Rosacea. If you have rosacea, a skin condition that generally causes flushing and redness on the face, you may suffer more flares during perimenopause, when hot flashes increase skin temperature.
Reduced immunity. Compromised blood flow to the skin also affects its ability to heal. The consequence: you bruise more easily, cuts take longer to heal and ultraviolet light penetrates the skin more deeply, increasing your risk of skin cancer, says Bergfeld.

Protect Against Sun and Stress

It’s not just falling estrogen levels that affect your skin as you age. Sun damage, stress and diet also take a toll. So how can you give your skin the best chance?

First, always use sunscreen. Even in winter, UVB rays can penetrate to the dermis. By protecting your skin from harmful rays year-round, you limit the amount of free-radical cells that grow and break down collagen. At the same time you lower your risk for skin cancer.

Next, find a way to deal with stress. Your body produces melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) in response to stress, which in turn controls the release of melanin. Too much stress can result in excess MSH, causing skin to become splotchy and noticeably darker in places. The good news is as stress levels fall so does MSH, and pigmentation will eventually fade. Introducing stress reduction techniques into your daily life can help, but for a quick fix, release any tension in your facial muscles by stroking your palms over your forehead, and gently drumming your fingers over your cheeks.

Lastly, change your eating habits. A healthy diet is crucial to revitalizing skin during menopause.

It’s never too late to start taking better care of your skin. If, however, you worry that you may have waited too long, remember the words of Audrey Hepburn in her later years:“I’ve earned every one of mywrinkles.” Beauty is only skin deep.

Feed Your Skin

Although there is a wonderful array of products on the market to help you along, working from the inside out can do wonders for restoring a healthy glow to below-par skin.

Hydration: Water is a great purifier so make sure you keep sipping throughout the day whether you’re thirsty or not, aiming to drink at least six glasses a day.

Rest: The regenerative effects of sleep and rest on your skin are unequalled. Sleep can help metabolize free radicals that are thought to accelerate aging. A short nap of 20 to 30 minutes during the day can impart positive psychological effects, as well as leaving your skin refreshed.

Stop smoking: Nicotine constricts blood flow, making the skin look gray, dull and lifeless. Not only that, it speeds collagen breakdown. Plus smokers have more wrinkles from squinting and puckering the lips.

Vitamin C: Dark red berries, cherries and purple grapes all contain skin-restoring vitamin C. This nutrient increases collagen production, which is great news for tired, sagging skin. Whiz up a super-healthy smoothie of raspberries, strawberries and blueberries with a cup of orange juice—your skin will thank you!

Antioxidants: Nuts and seeds are packed with vitamins A and E, both vital for good skin health. Carry a mix of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds and walnuts to snack on, and know that you’re doing your skin a favor providing it with protective antioxidants.

Catechins: There’s a reason why green tea is an active ingredient in so many new skin-care products: It’s bursting with a particular kind of antioxidant called catechins. These are said to slow the aging process. Try and drink at least two cups a day to feel the benefits.

Supplements: It’s not always possible to get all the nutrients you need from diet alone, so take a daily multivitamin that contains 100 percent of the daily value.