Cosmetic ingredients for menopause – skincare for a transformative phase of life
Menopause and perimenopause mark a profound change in the body – and especially in the skin. As oestrogen levels decline, the skin’s barrier function, moisture retention, elasticity, density and overall reactivity change. Many women report dryness, tightness, redness, pigmentation changes, loss of firmness and a dull complexion.
Modern formulations focus on targeted cosmetic ingredients for menopause. These not only address the symptoms, but also support the underlying biological changes. The skin does not need ‘anti-ageing’ care, but resilience, balance and care that understands its new needs.
Why does the skin change during the menopause?
As oestrogen levels fall, several external changes occur:
– Less collagen and hyaluronic acid
– Lower lipid production
– Higher transepidermal water loss.
– Increased sensitivity.
– Greater oxidative stress
– Slower cell turnover
This is exactly where cosmetic ingredients for menopause come into play: they replace, strengthen or balance the functions weakened by hormonal changes.
Intensive hydration – moisture on multiple levels
One of the most common complaints during menopause is chronic dryness. The most important cosmetic active ingredients for menopause include humectants, polysaccharides and hyaluronic acid.
Effective moisturisers:
– Highly effective polysaccharides for long-lasting hydration
– Sodium PCA as a natural component of NMF
– Biotechnological hyaluronic acid for volume and smoothness.
– Aloe vera as a soothing and hydrating classic.
These cosmetic active ingredients for menopause stabilise the skin’s barrier function, smooth dryness lines and strengthen its ability to bind water.
Lipid replenishment and barrier strengthening are basic requirements for comfort.
As sebum and ceramide levels decline, the skin loses its natural protective layer. Targeted cosmetic active ingredients help to rebuild the lipid lamellae.
Particularly valuable are:
- ceramide-like esters
- biomimetic ceramides
- phytosterols
- stable, oxidation-resistant plant oils
- multifunctional active ingredients for barrier optimisation
These active ingredients reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), improve elasticity and restore the skin’s suppleness and resilience.
Mild cleansing and formulation aesthetics
Menopausal skin is more sensitive, which is why mild surfactants and gentle emulsifiers are essential. Gentle rheology modifiers are also among the cosmetic active ingredients for menopause, as they enable a stable, skin-friendly texture.
The optimal options include:
- Amino acid-based surfactants
- Gentle sucrose esters
- Clay-based structuring agents: they cleanse and formulate without further stressing the skin’s protective barrier
Renewal and radiance through gentle exfoliation.
Cell turnover slows down and the skin appears duller and more uneven. Cosmetic ingredients for menopause that offer gentle, non-irritating exfoliation can help here.
- Mild AHAs such as mandelic acid
- Controlled-release glycolic acid
Enzymatic peeling systems improve skin texture, minimise irregularities and promote a more radiant appearance without overstimulating the skin.
Supporting firmness and elasticity
The decline in oestrogen levels significantly reduces the production of collagen and elastin. To support the dermal matrix, formulators rely on highly effective cosmetic ingredients for menopause:
- Collagen-like, biotechnologically produced peptides
- Anti-ageing complexes to reactivate cell vitality
- Encapsulated retinol for controlled release
- Oligosaccharides to strengthen dermal firmness.
These active ingredients rebuild the skin’s structure from within and promote visible firming.
Soothing and inflammation management
During menopause, the skin is often affected by ‘inflammaging’, i.e. subliminal inflammatory processes that promote redness, discomfort and accelerated ageing. This calls for soothing, antioxidant cosmetic active ingredients for the menopause, such as:
- postbiotic ferments
- bakuchiol-based retinol alternatives
- highly antioxidant natural pigment complexes
- plant-based, anti-inflammatory extracts
They reduce irritation, balance the microbiome and protect against external stress factors.
Conclusion: cosmetic active ingredients for menopause
They represent a paradigm shift in skin care: away from pure anti-ageing promises and towards functional support, resilience, well-being and skin competence.
Intelligent care for this phase of life takes hydration, lipid replenishment, structure, soothing and protection into account in equal measure – scientifically sound and physiologically beneficial for the skin.
Cosmacon develops highly effective, modern formulations with targeted cosmetic active ingredients for menopause – perfectly tailored to the needs of mature skin and scientifically sound.
If you need a quick solution, Tojo Cosmetics offers immediately available, active ingredient-rich private label products – ideal for brands that want to serve the growing market for menopause care quickly and professionally.
Just let me know – I’d be happy to support you with your next product innovation!
Literature:
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Effects of Plant Meristem-Cell-Based Cosmetics on Menopausal Skin: Clinical Data and Mechanisms.
Korkina L, Kharaeva Z, Shokarova A, Barokova E, Mayer W, Trakhtman I, Dal Toso R, De Luca C.Biomolecules. 2024 Sep 19;14(9):1176.
Cosmetics use and age at menopause: is there a connection?
Chow ET, Mahalingaiah S.Fertil Steril. 2016 Sep 15;106(4):978-90
Nutrition of women with hair loss problem during the period of menopause.
Goluch-Koniuszy ZS.Prz Menopauzalny. 2016 Mar;15(1):56-61