Understanding Hormonal Changes: Supporting Your Body, Your Skin, and the Way You Age

The Art of Aging Beautifully Starts with Understanding

We hear the words perimenopause and menopause often, but many women are left wondering what’s actually happening in their bodies, and more importantly, what they can do to support themselves through these changes.

Hormonal shifts are a natural part of life. While they can feel overwhelming at times, understanding them gives us the power to slow down visible changes, protect our health, and continue aging beautifully.

What’s Really Happening?

During perimenopause, and more noticeably during menopause, our bodies gradually produce less estrogen. Estrogen is a key signaling hormone. It communicates with many systems in the body to help them function optimally. As levels decline, subtle changes begin, and over time they can become more noticeable.

Some of the areas affected include:

• Bones: Slower bone remodeling, increasing the risk of bone loss including the bones supporting your face

• Brain & Nervous System: Changes in memory, focus, and mood

• Heart Health: Increased cardiovascular risk

• Energy Levels: Feeling more fatigued

• Weight Changes: Estrogen no longer helps regulate fat storage

• Hair & Scalp: Thinning hair or increased shedding, increase in facial hair

• Sleep: Hot flashes and night sweats disrupting rest

• Urogenital Health: Tissue changes that can affect comfort and function

And of course—the skin.

Estrogen plays a vital role in maintaining collagen, skin thickness, and moisture retention. As estrogen declines, collagen loss accelerates. In fact, we naturally lose about 1% of collagen per year starting in our 30s, and this loss speeds up significantly during menopause where you can lose up to 30%. Depending on how your adrenal glands respond, skin may become drier, thinner, more wrinkled, or in some cases, oilier with increased breakouts.

Often, the skin is the first visible sign of these internal changes.

What Can You Do to Support Yourself?

At SkinTrust, we believe in a holistic, balanced approach, supporting the skin from the outside and the inside.

1. Smart, Consistent Skin Care

Regular facial treatments starting in your 40s (and beyond) paired with an effective home care regimen can make a meaningful difference. Ingredients that support collagen production, improve cellular function, and protect the skin are essential, including:

• Vitamin C

• Retinol or retinol alternatives

• Collagen-stimulating ingredients including aminos acids peptides and NeoDermyl

• Daily sun protection

Consistency, not trends, is what truly supports aging skin.

2. Lifestyle Matters (More Than We’d Like to Admit)

Healthy habits aren’t optional during this phase of life. They’re foundational.

• Regular movement supports sleep, mood, and bone health

• A nourishing diet helps manage weight and inflammation

• Quality sleep allows the body (and skin) to repair

These elements work together and greatly influence how we feel and how we age.

3. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): A Thoughtful Option

I want to share that I am a strong advocate for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, when prescribed and monitored appropriately by a qualified medical professional.

Bioidentical hormones are structurally identical to the hormones our bodies naturally produce. This allows them to work with our systems, rather than against them. In contrast, synthetic hormones are chemically altered, which can lead to unwanted side effects.

Bioidentical estrogen may support:

• Bone health

• Brain and nervous system function

• Muscle quality

• Skin thickness, hydration, and elasticity

Bioidentical progesterone plays a protective role and may:

• Support breast health

• Help balance mood and reduce anxiety

• Improve sleep

• Relax blood vessels, supporting healthy blood pressure

A Personal Note

I’ve personally been using bioidentical hormones since my 50s, and now at 70, I feel confident saying that they’ve supported not only my skin, but my overall health and vitality. My aging is not perfect, but it is graceful, strong, and intentional. I am happy with my appearance, and my bone health has actually improved over the years. I work closely with an internist who monitors my blood work annually and specializes in bioidentical hormone therapy.

Combined with a healthy lifestyle (and the occasional indulgence), and a consistent skin care regimen with monthly facials, this approach has made a meaningful difference in how I feel and how I age.

Let’s Talk

Hormonal changes are a natural part of life, but how we support our bodies through them matters. With the right skin care, lifestyle habits, and professional guidance, it’s possible to feel confident, informed, and supported at every stage.

Hormonal health is deeply personal, and everyone’s journey is different. If you’d like to talk more about how hormones may be influencing your skin, or how to better support your skin during this phase, I invite you to schedule an Ask the Esthetician session. Education is always the first step toward trust and remember - The Art of Aging Beautifully Starts with Understanding

Hormone replacement therapy is a personal medical decision and should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider. My role as an esthetician is to educate and support you in understanding how hormonal changes impact the skin and overall aging process, not to diagnose or prescribe medical treatment.