GUEST BLOG: How Hormones Affect Men’s and Women’s Skin After 40
Your skin reflects who you are and how you live. Skin health is often reflective of our
internal health, playing a pivotal role in regulating body temperature, sensing touch, and serving as a barrier against environmental hazards. It is our largest organ and changes in complexion, skin texture or color can indicate underlying health conditions.
One of the many changes that aging brings about in our bodies, and one of the most visible, are changes in our skin. While these changes are somewhat influenced by genetics and environmental factors (sun exposure, nutrition, sleep, and even exercise), your hormones play a pivotal role in determining how our skin looks and feels, especially after the age of 40. These changes actually begin decades before but become noticeable in your 40s and 50s.
Men and women experience hormonal shifts differently, leading to distinct effects on their skin. Let’s explore how these hormonal changes impact skin health and appearance in both genders as we age.
Hormonal Changes in Women: The Menopausal Shift
For women, the most significant hormonal changes occur during peri-menopause,
which can start for many women in their early 40s. Perimenopause culminates to
menopause, which marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years and is characterized by a steep decline in estrogen and progesterone levels. This hormonal shift has several noticeable effects on the skin:
Loss of Collagen and Elasticity: Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining
skin thickness and elasticity by stimulating collagen production. As estrogen
levels decrease, so does collagen production, leading to thinner skin and the
development of fine lines and wrinkles. Skin may also lose its firmness, making
sagging more apparent.
Increased Dryness: Lower estrogen levels also reduce the skin's natural oil
production. This can lead to dryness and a rougher texture, making skin feel less
smooth and supple. Many women notice their skin becoming drier and more
prone to irritation after menopause.
Reduction in Skin's Natural Glow: With the decline in estrogen, there is also a reduction in blood flow to the skin, which can make the skin appear duller and
less vibrant. The reduced oil production combined with decreased cell turnover
further contributes to this lackluster appearance.
Heightened Sensitivity and Redness: Some women may experience increased
skin sensitivity during and after menopause. The thinning of the skin barrier
makes it more susceptible to irritants, leading to redness, itching, and a feeling of
discomfort.
Changes in Pigmentation: Hormonal changes can also lead to hyperpigmentation or age spots, especially in sun-exposed areas. These dark spots are often more prominent in postmenopausal women due to the cumulative effect of sun exposure over the years combined with hormonal shifts.
Hormonal Changes in Men: The Gradual Decline
Men also experience hormonal changes as they age, though not as abruptly as women. Testosterone levels gradually decline, a process often referred to as andropause.
Men actually start losing their testosterone at the rate of 1% every year starting at age 30. It takes a few years, sometimes decades to see the difference this makes as this decline is slower and more subtle compared to menopause but still has noticeable effects on the skin:
Reduced Oil Production: Testosterone is responsible for stimulating the
sebaceous glands to produce oil. As testosterone levels decrease, oil production
reduces, leading to drier skin. While men typically have oilier skin than women in
their younger years, after 50, they may notice a shift towards dryness.
Thinning Skin: Testosterone also helps maintain skin thickness by promoting
collagen production. As testosterone levels decline, collagen production slows,
leading to thinner skin. This makes the skin more prone to wrinkles and sagging,
like the effects seen in women but often less pronounced due to men’s thicker
skin.
Decreased Elasticity and Firmness: The decline in collagen and elastin,
essential proteins for maintaining skin's firmness and elasticity, also affects men. This leads to a gradual loss of skin elasticity, making the skin appear looser and less firm.
Reduced Skin Healing Capacity: Lower testosterone levels can slow down the
skin’s healing process. This can make cuts, bruises, and other skin injuries take
longer to heal, and the skin may not repair itself as effectively as it did in younger
years.
Changes in Facial Hair and Skin Texture: With age, men might also notice
changes in their facial hair growth. Some may experience less beard growth,
while others could see an increase in ear and nose hair. Additionally, the skin
may become rougher in texture due to reduced cell turnover and prolonged
exposure to environmental factors.
Common Effects for Both Men and Women
Despite the differences in hormonal changes between men and women, there are
several common skin changes that both genders experience starting in their 40s:
Increased Wrinkling: Both men and women experience more wrinkles as they
age, especially in areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, and hands.
This is due to the cumulative effects of UV exposure and the natural aging
process, exacerbated by hormonal changes that reduce skin elasticity and
thickness.
Loss of Hydration: Aging skin tends to lose its ability to retain moisture, leading
to dehydration. This is compounded by a decrease in natural oils due to
hormonal shifts, resulting in drier and more brittle skin.
Reduced Barrier Function: The skin’s natural barrier function diminishes with
age, making it more susceptible to environmental damage and infections. This
reduced barrier function can be due to the thinning of the skin and a decrease in
natural moisturizing factors.
Increased Sensitivity to Sun: With age, the skin’s ability to protect itself from
UV damage decreases, making older skin more prone to sunburn and other UV-
related skin issues. Hormonal changes exacerbate this sensitivity, requiring more
diligent sun protection practices.
Caring for Mature Skin: Tips for Both Genders
Regardless of gender, there are several steps that can help mitigate the effects of
hormonal changes on the skin after 40:
Moisturize Regularly: Using a good moisturizer with clean, natural ingredients
can help combat dryness and improve the skin’s texture and appearance. Look
for products that promote collagen production, like Aloe Leaf Juice or Extract,
which stimulates fibroblast, peptides composed of amino acids, and vitamin C;
also, products that contain Ceramides, which preserve the skin’s barrier function,
and super hydrators like squalane and hyaluronic acid.
Protect from Sun Exposure: Overexposure to UV rays is the most common
reason for skin to show age. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF
30 daily, regardless of weather or season, to protect against further UV damage.
Incorporate Antioxidants: Topical antioxidants like vitamin C and E can help
combat free radical damage and improve skin texture and tone.
Stay Hydrated and Maintain a Healthy Diet: Drinking plenty of water and eating
a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can support overall skin
health. The goal is to have at least an ounce of water/kg.
Supplements: Research suggests that a quality hydrolyzed Collagen
supplement (either powder or liquid form), CoQ10, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Omega-3 Fatty acids can help aging skin by supporting collagen production,
reducing oxidative stress, and helping skin cell turnover. Ideally best to be tested
to assess micronutrient status, and then supplement with diet or with targeted
supplementation.
As with so many facets of aging, you have more control than you may think about how you age. Knowing the significant changes that hormones play in how our skin ages, particularly after the age of 40, can help us in developing effective skincare strategies to combat those changes. By adapting skincare routines to these hormonal shifts, both men and women can maintain healthier, more youthful-looking skin well into their later years.
Remember, your skin is your “armor” and is important for physical and emotional
reasons. Building a skin care routine – which can take as little as 5 minutes daily, and being intentional and careful about the products you use on your skin, will pay dividends in the years to follow.