Note: A shorter version of this article appeared in Nina Ruge’s newsletter at www.stayoung.de. Below you will find the detailed medical classification with a scientific basis.

Perhaps you know this moment in front of the mirror: You actually feel full of energy, yet your face suddenly looks tired. Your skin feels tight even though you just applied cream. Fine lines seem to have deepened overnight, and your hair, once easy to manage, suddenly feels dry, much thinner, or brittle.

If these changes irritate you, take a deep breath: It is not a sign of neglect, and you are not doing anything wrong. It is biology. During menopause, the rules of your body change – and that is why your care routine may change as well. To truly make your skin and hair glow in this phase of life, your old moisturizer is no longer enough. We need to look deeper.

Your skin feels tight, dry, or itchy—even though your skincare routine hasn’t changed. Hormonal changes during this phase directly affect your skin and hair, altering their needs.