Key takeaways on Galderma’s menopause research
- Galderma surveyed more than 4,300 peri‑ and post‑menopausal women across 10 countries to understand their skin concerns.
- Many women reported feeling underinformed about menopause‑related skin changes until they experienced them.
- Loss of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid significantly impacts skin quality and confidence.
- The company plans to include menopausal status in clinical trials to improve evidence‑based aesthetic solutions.
- Findings highlight demand for more tailored treatments, stronger clinical data and better education for healthcare professionals.
- New international research highlights knowledge gaps and evolving expectations around menopause‑related skin changes
At the International Master Course on Ageing Science (IMCAS) 2026 World Congress in Paris, pure‑play skin care company Galderma revealed key insights into the attitudes and experiences of menopausal women regarding menopause‑related skin care and concerns.
The research was undertaken on more than 4,300 peri‑ and post‑menopausal women aged 45–60 from the United States, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, China and Thailand, and showed that many women have significant knowledge gaps around menopause‑related skin changes.
According to Galderma, declining oestrogen accelerates collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid loss, impacting firmness, hydration and confidence. The business said it now plans to include menopausal status in clinical trials to help advance evidence‑based aesthetic solutions.
To find out more about the research and how Galderma plans to use its findings, we spoke to Global Head of Injectable Aesthetics, Anne‑Cécile Chevrier.
CosmeticsDesign‑Europe (CDE): As a company focused on aesthetics and skincare, what most surprised you, or stood out to you, in the findings of your survey about menopausal women and skin?
Anne‑Cécile Chevrier (ACC): What struck me most was just how underinformed women feel about something that ultimately affects half the population. Many women told us they only learned about menopause related skin changes when they were already experiencing them (often in their 40s), which is backed up by other published research showing that more than 90% of women say they were never taught about menopause at school.
In the survey, women most reported lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness, dryness, and a duller skin tone. And when we asked them how impactful these changes felt overall, they rated the severity a six out of ten. So, for many, it’s not cosmetic; it genuinely affects wellbeing.
In fact, the survey results showed women felt that menopause-related skin changes made them feel less attractive (60%), anxious (57%), less confident (55%), and want to socialise less (46%). What stayed with me was that more than a third of women said they would have liked to understand these changes in their 30s, so they could feel more in control. That’s a gap we believe the industry needs to help close.
CDE: How do you expect the skincare and aesthetics industries to change to meet the needs of this market over the next five years?
ACC: Our findings show that women are already turning to aesthetic treatments to navigate menopause-related skin changes, and those who do report some of the highest satisfaction across the approaches they try, including lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioural therapy and supplements. What this tells us is that menopausal women are a distinct patient population with very specific needs. Their skin is changing rapidly at the same time as natural ageing processes accelerate, so early, science-based intervention becomes even more important.
Looking ahead, I expect the industry to evolve in three key ways: first, more tailored treatment approaches; second, stronger clinical evidence; and third, actively listening to patient needs to provide better education for healthcare professionals on what truly works for this group. At Galderma, we’re committed to all three. We’re now including menopausal status in our clinical trials – a pioneering move in aesthetics – because understanding how treatments perform for this population is essential. With around 85% of aesthetic patients being women, supporting them at every life stage is absolutely part of our responsibility.
CDE: Any key information that you want to share on the science behind menopause‑related skin changes?
ACC: Menopause brings a sharp decline in oestrogen, a hormone that plays a major role in keeping skin firm, hydrated, and resilient. These fluctuations begin even before menopause, during perimenopause.
As oestrogen drops, collagen and elastin production decline much faster than normal. In fact, up to 30% of collagen can be lost in the first five years after menopause, which is why firmness and wrinkle formation change so noticeably. Hyaluronic acid levels also fall, which explains why skin can suddenly feel drier, tighter, or itchier.
What’s encouraging is that aesthetic treatments can directly address some of these underlying biological shifts – not just the visible signs. By targeting the root causes to correct the skin changes, we can help restore skin quality in a way that often boosts confidence and helps women feel more like themselves again.
