Menopause is a natural part of aging, but for many women, the skin changes that accompany it come as a surprise. As estrogen and progesterone levels decline, the skin begins to lose its youthful structure, hydration, and balance. Wrinkles deepen, skin becomes drier or more reactive, and breakouts can resurface.

This isn’t just cosmetic. These skin changes are a reflection of deep hormonal shifts happening internally. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. With the right skincare strategy and technology, you can take back control, support your skin through transition, and rediscover radiance.

Menopause affects your skin by reducing estrogen levels, which leads to decreased collagen, thinner skin, dryness, and increased sensitivity. It also weakens the skin’s natural barrier, leaving it more vulnerable to irritation and slower to recover from damage. The result? Skin that feels and behaves differently, often more fragile and prone to breakouts.

Suddenly, your skin may feel:

• Drier, rougher, or more irritated

• Thinner or more fragile

• Prone to redness or flare-ups

• Uneven in tone with more visible dark spots

• More acne-prone due to increased oil production
  
  

These changes don’t happen all at once and can vary greatly from person to person. But they’re all part of a larger hormonal shift, and understanding that connection can help you choose solutions that don’t just cover up symptoms, but treat the source.

If you thought breakouts were behind you, menopause may have other plans. Hormonal shifts create a relative rise in androgens (male hormones like testosterone), often triggering increased sebum production that clogs pores and reignites acne flare-ups . Unlike teenage acne, menopausal breakouts typically appear along the jawline, chin, and neck, and tend to be more inflammatory or cystic in nature.

To help calm hormonal breakouts, a multi-targeted approach is key. Ingredients like salicylic acid or niacinamide can help manage oil, while red and blue LED light therapy address deeper causes. Blue light reduces acne-causing bacteria, while red light soothes inflammation and accelerates healing.

While acne may be the most visible sign of shifting hormones, collagen loss is the most dramatic. Studies show that women can lose up to 30% of their skin’s collagen in the first five years of menopause. Collagen is responsible for firmness, bounce, and skin’s ability to recover from damage. As it declines, the result is sagging, fine lines, and thinner, more fragile skin.

Red light therapy has emerged as one of the few non-invasive ways to directly stimulate collagen production at the cellular level. By energizing fibroblasts (the cells that produce collagen and elastin), red and near-infrared light help the skin rebuild its internal scaffolding.

Hormonal shifts during menopause don’t just affect collagen, they also disrupt your skin’s ability to stay hydrated. As estrogen declines, production of lipids and hyaluronic acid also slows, compromising the skin’s natural barrier and leading to dryness and increased sensitivity. You might notice that products you once tolerated now sting or cause redness. In some cases, this new reactivity even triggers flare-ups like rosacea or dermatitis for the first time.

People often believe that ingredients like ceramides, squalane, and hyaluronic acid are enough to restore moisture and strengthen the skin. However, LED light therapy is the real game changer. LED Esthetics’ GloTech™ Mask Pro , $399 LED Face Mask , uses targeted red and blue wavelengths to calm inflammation, boost circulation, and repair the skin’s outermost layer, helping you achieve lasting balance without relying solely on topical treatments.

Dark spots, melasma, and uneven pigmentation often become more visible during menopause. Melanin production becomes less regulated, leading to clusters of discoloration—especially on areas like the cheeks, chest, and hands that have had years of sun exposure.

LED light therapy offers a gentle, clinically-backed way to also target pigmentation without irritation. Red light helps calm inflammation that can make discoloration more stubborn, while blue light supports overall clarity by reducing post-inflammatory marks.

To improve uneven tone with LED therapy:

• Use red and blue light consistently, 3–5 times per week, to support skin regeneration and reduce visible discoloration.

• Focus on areas prone to hyperpigmentation, such as the cheeks and jawline, for targeted results.

• Stick with your routine. Visible brightening typically develops gradually over several weeks of regular use.
  
  

LED Esthetics’ GloTech™ Lite , $329 lightweight LED Face Mask, combines red and blue light to help fade discoloration, calm inflammation, and improve tone over time. This makes it a powerful tool to help brighten skin affected by menopause.

Menopause doesn’t mean the end of glowing skin , it just means your skin needs something different. This phase of life is full of hormonal changes, but also opportunities to reconnect with your body in a deeper way. By understanding what your skin is going through, you can make smarter choices and create a routine that supports your natural evolution.

LED light therapy offers a way to stimulate healing, rebuild strength, and restore radiance. Whether you're treating breakouts, dryness, or discoloration, devices like the GloTech™ Pro Series give you tools to care for yourself with intention and confidence.