Skin Through the Ages: How to Care for Sensitive Skin Through Menopause and at Every Life Stage
Our skin changes naturally over time, and for many Australian women, this shift typically begins during perimenopause. Add in strong sun and dry climates across much of Australia, and it’s easy to see why the skin barrier often weakens at this stage of life. Supporting the barrier with the best skincare for menopausal skin means staying comfortable and confident, no matter the season.
The Importance of Barrier Protection
A strong skin barrier locks in moisture and keeps irritants out. When the barrier function is compromised, you may notice heightened sensitivity, skin tightness, flaking or redness after washing. To avoid increasing sensitivity and pain, skin barrier protection matters throughout all life stages.
Life Stage 1: Peri-Menopause to Menopause
Hormonal swings, particularly a decline in oestrogen, can cause dryness, sensitivity, and redness. About 75% of women report menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats, and skin issues often follow closely behind (source).
Skin feels dry, tighter, and more inflamed. Around this time, ceramides, which play a key role in retaining moisture in the skin, drop significantly. Lipid loss in your skin barrier is a key culprit. This makes the menopausal skincare all about lipid restoration.
To combat this, specialist barrier-support products are vital. Prolox’s Oat Body Wash (rich with oat lipid matrix) delivers ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids to replenish moisture gently. It supports the skin when it needs it most.
Life Stage 2: Menopause and Post-Menopause
Once a year has passed since your last period, skin changes deepen. Dermis thinning, slower repair, and fragility are common in women in menopause. Up to 30% of collagen is lost in the first five years after menopause, and collagen decline continues with age (source).
You might notice fine lines deepening, pigmentation lingering, and a dull skin tone. The best menopause skincare at this stage includes ingredients such as ceramides, aloe vera and oats to help rebuild and calm the skin.
Prolox’s skin moisturising lotion provides calming hydration without stripping the skin's natural lipids. It's a barrier-first routine that’s gentle yet effective for skin of all ages.
Life Stage 3: Fragile, Aged Skin
In later years, the skin becomes fragile, thin, prone to tears, and heals more slowly. According to Australian aged-care reports, many older women require gentle products specifically designed for sensitive or fragile skin.
Here, extremely mild care is key. Prolox’s no-rinse body wash cleanser allows you to clean your skin without causing damage. It’s perfect for older Australians in care settings: no rinsing, no tightness, just gentle, kind cleansing and hydration.
The Science of Prolox
At its heart, Prolox focuses on barrier repair. The Oat Lipid Matrix mimics your skin's natural essentials, ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids, helping rebuild the barrier after hormonal impact.
With a minimalist, fragrance-free formula, Prolox avoids irritants. That means each skincare product gives active support for barrier health, whether you're navigating hormonal shifts or dealing with fragile, ageing skin.
Conclusion
True barrier-first care means understanding how your skin changes throughout life, from the beginnings of peri-menopause to the evolution of post-menopause and the fragility that comes with ageing. The right ingredients now help keep skin healthy, hydrated, and resilient.
Prolox delivers support at every stage. It helps restore your skin barrier, so your skin stays comfortable and confident, no matter what life stage you’re in. For detailed information, you can also read our guide on Menopausal Skincare Tips to protect and maintain your skin during menopause.