October marks global Menopause Awareness Month, drawing attention to the wide-ranging changes women experience during this life stage – including those that affect the skin. While hot flushes and hormonal fluctuations are among the most recognised symptoms, skin changes such as dryness, loss of firmness, fine lines and wrinkles are also common and often less discussed.
Oestrogen plays a critical role in maintaining skin structure and hydration by supporting collagen production and elasticity. As oestrogen levels decline during menopause, these processes slow, leading to visible signs of ageing and increased sensitivity. Research shows women can lose up to 30 percent of their skin’s collagen within the first five years after menopause, resulting in thinner, drier and less resilient skin.
These changes can start even earlier during perimenopause, when hormone levels begin to fluctuate. Awareness campaigns this month are encouraging women to better understand these effects and consider options that support skin health as part of their overall wellbeing.
To help counter the effects of these menopause-related skin changes, Olay has introduced its Super Collagen Peptide Cream, formulated to address visible signs such as dryness, fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity linked to declining oestrogen levels.
A 2024 Australian consumer study involving 127 women experiencing menopause found that the cream:
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Visibly reduced multiple signs of menopausal skin changes after 28 days of use
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Hydrated and visibly lifted sagging skin
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Improved dryness, dullness, loss of elasticity and the appearance of deep wrinkles
The formulation contains 25 times more collagen peptides than Olay’s control formula, designed to help support skin elasticity during menopause.
As more research underscores the impact of hormonal change on the skin, topical skincare is increasingly viewed as one tool in a broader approach to supporting women through the menopausal transition.
Source: Consumer study, Australia 2024 (n=127).
