I’m Menopausal: Do I Need Special Skin Care Products?

Written by Rachel Murphy · June 18, 2026

Get trusted info about menopause and connect with women who get it.

Key Takeaways

Skin care needs often change during menopause, and many retailers are now offering products designed to address concerns like dryness, irritation, and hot flashes.

Skin care needs often change throughout menopause, and retailers are paying attention. In February, Dollar Tree released a new menopause-specific skin care duo from its in-house brand Skinimalism, following a similar line from No7 and a body care line from Dove that debuted in 2025.

These three developments point to a changing landscape for skin and body care. Women are searching for products that address concerns associated with menopause, like changing body odor, hot flashes, and drier, more irritated skin.

Dr. Shamsa Kanwal, a dermatologist, said that although skin changes can occur during menopause, your skin care routine doesn’t necessarily need to be formulated to address them.

“A cream marketed for menopause is not automatically better than a regular fragrance-free moisturizer with strong barrier ingredients,” Dr. Kanwal said.

“A cream marketed for menopause is not automatically better than a regular fragrance-free moisturizer with strong barrier ingredients.”

— Dr. Shamsa Kanwal

“These lines can be effective for dryness, dullness, and comfort, but they will not fully reverse collagen loss, sagging, or deeper wrinkles,” she added.

How Does Menopause Affect Facial Skin?

Many women find that their tried-and-true skin care routine may not cut it as their hormone levels drop. One of estrogen’s functions is stimulating collagen production. As estrogen levels decline, collagen production decreases too.

Collagen, which makes skin look plump and youthful, typically decreases as you age and during the menopausal years. Less collagen can make skin look thinner, less firm, and more wrinkled.

Lower estrogen during menopause can also make skin drier and more easily irritated by changing how well the skin holds moisture and protects itself.

Skin Care Products for Menopausal Skin

Menopause skin care products, such as those from Dollar Tree, Dove, and No7, aim to support skin barrier health and moisture levels using familiar ingredients.

Key Ingredients for Menopausal Skin

Many menopausal skin care products feature ingredients you may already use, including:

Hyaluronic acid for retaining moisture
Collagen for helping skin feel more hydrated
Squalane for helping soften skin, support the skin barrier, and retain moisture
Retinol for treating fine lines and supporting collagen production

While these ingredients may be highlighted in menopause skin care lines, Dr. Kanwal said users should be aware of their concentrations and of other ingredients that may have additional effects.

Some menopause skin care products, especially those marketed as “cooling,” may contain ingredients such as alcohol or menthol that can be drying on sensitive or menopausal skin.

“Menthol can feel refreshing at first, but in dry, sensitive, or estrogen-depleted skin, it may trigger redness, burning, or barrier irritation,” Dr. Kanwal said. “Cooling does not always mean soothing.”

Ingredient Concentrations Matter

Ingredient lists usually start with the ingredients used the most in a product. Once ingredients are at about 1 percent or less, brands can list them in any order. So the order can give you clues, but it doesn’t always tell you exactly how much of each ingredient is in the product.

If menthol or alcohol is listed before moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid or squalane, you may experience more drying or irritation than you expected.

Phil Cowley, PharmD, owner of Cache Valley Pharmacy and the PhilsMyPharmacist TikTok and YouTube channels, recently rated the Dollar Tree Skinimalism products: a cooling spray with aloe and green tea, and an overnight renewal gel with squalane, retinol, and collagen. While he rated the renewal gel a B-plus for its collagen gel formulation and .05 percent retinol, he wasn’t as impressed with the cooling spray.

“It’s mostly alcohol, which isn’t great. Its big claim to fame is that it’s cooling, but that’s because they put menthol in it,” Cowley said. “This one gets a D-minus. It makes you think it’s doing a lot, but it just makes you tingle.”

Try New Skin Care Products With Caution

Dr. Kanwal recommends trying new skin care products based on their ingredients and the amounts of each active ingredient, not on marketing.

“Do a patch test first, and start with once or twice weekly. Follow with a fragrance-free moisturizer, and stop if there’s burning, swelling, rash, or persistent stinging,” Dr. Kanwal said. “For menopausal skin, comfort and barrier repair should come before a cooling sensation or a trendy ingredient list.”

“Do a patch test first, and start with once or twice weekly. Follow with a fragrance-free moisturizer, and stop if there’s burning, swelling, rash, or persistent stinging.”

— Dr. Shamsa Kanwal

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