Is it normal to experience itchy skin during the menopause or perimenopause?
In this post we explain why skin might feel itchier during the menopause and help you to find a natural menopausal skin care routine that restores comfort and balance to itchy, irritable skin.
We also have tips for caring for menopausal dry skin.
Does menopause make skin itchier?
Is your skin feeling itchy during the menopause? The NHS lists itchy skin as one of the ‘Common physical symptoms of menopause and perimenopause’ and while it can be reassuring to know that this is nothing out of the ordinary, having itchy skin or an itchy scalp can be very frustrating.
The advice that the NHS gives to those concerned about persistent itchy skin is to initially treat itchy menopausal skin yourself by making small lifestyle and products changes, discussing symptoms with your GP or pharmacist if the itch persists and starts to cause you concern[i]*.
What makes skin itchy during the menopause?
Working out what has caused your skin to feel itchy during the menopause can be particularly challenging.
One possible explanation is that your skin has becoming dry, tight, and imbalanced because of hormonal changes that occur during menopause.
Dry damaged skin barriers can be easily irritated but a non-irritating skin care routine that’s rich in barrier repairing, anti-inflammatory actives will help you to manage your itchy skin and restore skin comfort.
Other explanations for itchy skin during the menopause may be that older skin is thinner and thus more vulnerable to irritation from everyday allergens, such as soap, detergents, and household cleansing products.
If you believe that your skin is being irritated by allergens in skin care, it is best to switch to unscented products that are formulated for sensitive skin**.
Natural ingredients for menopausal itchy skin
Key to managing itchy skin is not overcomplicating your routine, keep it simple and use natural ingredients that support your skin’s health.
- Calendula Derived from Calendula flowers macerated in Sunflower Seed Oil, this gentle, soothing skin active is especially helpful in calming areas of inflamed skin.
- Perilla Oil Moisture-retailing Perilla has very high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids which are soothing to the skin and especially useful for soothing and repairing compromised skin
- Jojoba Oil Suitable for all skin types, this light protective oil has excellent softening and moisture-retaining properties.
- Evening Primrose This helps to prevent premature ageing, as well as supporting healthy skin structure with Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a type of Omega-6 fatty acid.
- Squalane The level of Squalene naturally present in the skin drops as we get older. When Squalane is applied to the skin, it is converted to Squalene, helping to condition, moisturise and regulate water loss.
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Northern Truffle This is rich in antioxidant Phenols and Grifolin, which helps to ease skin discomfort and prevent the sensation of itching.
Caring for menopausal itchy skin at night
Does your skin itch more at night? Having itchy skin in the evening is another common menopause symptom and can affect your whole body.
Advice that the NHS offers that may help to calm skin that’s prone to feeling itchy at night is to have a cool shower and wear loose cotton night clothes.
Using unperfumed skin care that’s rich in actives with emollient properties can also help to keep skin calm and comfortable whilst you sleep.
Use an ultra-mild shower gel
To help soothe itchy skin at night, shower before bed, using a cool water temperature and a gentle, unscented shower gel. Select a body wash that is formulated without SLS, soap or skin-drying alcohol as these are all known to irritate the skin.
The shower gel that we recommend for skin that feels itchy at night after menopause is Scent Free Shower Gel, an unscented, SLS-free body wash that’s gentle on sensitive skin and calms itchy, uncomfortable skin with a soothing, hydrating blend of Aloe Vera and Marshmallow.
Scent Free Shower Gel 200ml
Your go-to shower gel for gently cleansing sensitive skin
£17.00
Soothe with scent-free body lotion
Water has a different pH to human skin, and this means that showering can unsettle the skin. To prevent itchy and uncomfortable skin after showering, apply our unscented, pH-balanced body lotion whilst skin is still slightly damp.
An unscented body lotion with a natural hydration complex featuring Perilla and Evening Primrose Oils, our Scent Free Body Lotion restores the moisture in your skin so that you can sleep without skin discomfort.
Scent Free Body Lotion 150ml
Discover deep skin hydration with our soothing, fragrance-free body lotion
£27.00
If you prefer to use a body oil, our Time to Soothe Body Oil contains Hemp to relieve discomfort and Rosehip to promote skin regeneration. It also features the innovative active CB2-Skin™ Biofunctional, which boosts skin barrier function and reduces irritation and itchy skin.
Alexandra Kay Time to Soothe Scent Free Body Oil 100ml
Soothe and nourish with this scent-free body and massage oil
Regular price
£28.00
£16.80
Calm underarm itchy skin with a gentle deodorant
If you experience underarm itchy skin at night, try using a roll-on deodorant made without skin drying alcohol or pore-clogging actives.
We suggest Scent Free Deodorant which uses a natural blend of minerals and Prebiotics to help skin to feel fresh without interfering with the perspiration process and causing the underarms to itch.
Scent Free Deodorant 75ml
Keep sensitive skin calm and fresh with our scent-free deodorant
£13.50
Choose a skin-calming night cream
Help soothe itchy perimenopausal and menopausal skin at night with Truffle Night Cream, a scent-free face cream that uses Northern Truffle to instantly soothes itchy and sensitive skin.
Clinically proven to extend the feel-good state of skin, the Truffle used in our Truffle Night Cream has been shown to instantly soothe irritated skin and even augments the pain threshold and reduces the perception of stinging.
Entirely scent-free and ideal for skin that feeling extra sensitive during the menopause, Truffle Night Cream also features a moisture-binding blend of Ceramides, Hemp Seed Oil, Cellular Apple Water and Glycerine.
Apply overnight to reset skin hydration levels and help keep itchy menopausal skin calm, hydrated and comfy whilst you sleep.
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Choose a skin-friendly anti-ageing cream
Help soothe itchy perimenopausal and menopausal skin at night with Scent Free Anti-Ageing 24 Hour Cream. A nourishing scent-free face cream suitable for sensitive skin, this can be applied day and night to support skin strength and hydration.
Its anti-ageing actives include Baicalin, a remarkable extract that’s been shown to increases elasticity structure and firmness in skin over 30, restoring skin to its state 10 years previously.
It restores hydration and skin balance with a blend of Aloe Vera, Squalane and Inulin Prebiotics. Derived from Chicory, these soothe and protect your skin whist also helping to keep its microbiome in balance.
Scent Free 24-Hour Cream 50ml
Healthy skin starts with our bestselling moisturiser for sensitive skin
£25.50
To care for itchy skin around your eyes, use the matching Scent Free Eye Cream which uses a gentle but effective blend of Tuberose and Betaine to target crow’s feet, puffiness and wrinkles.
Scent Free Eye Cream 10ml
Rejuvenate and soothe with our gentlest eye cream for sensitive skin
Regular price
£18.00
£10.80
*Itchy skin can also be a sign of some more serious skin conditions. Some cancers are known to cause skin itching and if you are undergoing treatment for cancer, Cancer Research UK has some excellent advice on managing skin discomfort.
**Skin changes can mean that your skin may be more sensitive to products, even ones that you have used previously so test patch products before use.
[i] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/itchy-skin/
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