New data reveals women’s knowledge gap on menopause and skin

Galderma has released findings from a global survey exploring how women experience and understand menopause-related skin changes, highlighting gaps in awareness and education.

The survey included more than 4,300 women aged 45 to 60 across nine countries - the UK, US, Brazil, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, China, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates - all of whom had undergone, or were open to, aesthetic treatments.

According to the findings, more than half of respondents said they learned about the effects of menopause on the skin only by experiencing them firsthand, most often in their 40s.

Over 30% said they would have preferred to receive this information in their 30s, while more than half described their current understanding of menopause-related skin changes as neutral or unsatisfactory.

On average, respondents reported experiencing three different skin changes affecting the face or body following the onset of menopause. The most commonly reported concerns included lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness and elasticity, increased dryness, and a duller skin tone.

Researchers attributed many of these changes to declining estrogen levels, as estrogen plays a key role in maintaining collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid within the skin.

Beyond physical effects, the survey also revealed notable psychosocial impacts. 60% of respondents said menopause-related skin changes made them feel less attractive, 57% reported increased anxiety, 55% felt less confident, and 46% said they were less inclined to socialise.

When asked about approaches used to manage menopause-related symptoms - including lifestyle adjustments, supplements, traditional medicine and aesthetic treatments - respondents reported the highest levels of satisfaction with aesthetic interventions.

Nearly half of respondents said they currently use aesthetic treatments to address menopause-related skin changes, compared with 26% who reported using them preventively. More than 60% also indicated they would have taken action earlier had they been better informed about the skin effects of menopause.

Looking ahead, many respondents said they would consider aesthetic options such as anti-wrinkle treatments, hyaluronic acid-based injectables, skin quality treatments, and biostimulators to address menopause-related skin concerns.

The findings add to a growing body of research examining the dermatological and quality-of-life effects of menopause.

Commenting on the results, Bill Andriopoulos, Head of Global Medical Affairs at Galderma, said: "As the pure-play dermatology category leader, we are committed to driving meaningful change for every skin story.

"Through this global survey, close collaboration with our network of experts and ensuring that menopausal status is included in all our clinical trials moving forward, we aim to elevate awareness and advance aesthetic solutions, backed by robust evidence, for women navigating this important life stage."