Why Eczema and Psoriasis Flare-Ups Can Worsen during Menopause

Menopause, Eczema and Psoriasis: Why Flare-Ups Can Worsen

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Key Takeaways:

Estrogen is a natural anti-inflammatory: As levels drop during menopause, your skin loses its primary defense against inflammation.

The barrier becomes “leaky”: Declining hormones reduce lipid and ceramide production, making the skin barrier more vulnerable to irritants that trigger eczema.

Psoriasis and menopause often peak together: Hormonal changes can activate the immune system, causing a sudden onset or worsening of psoriatic plaques.

Moisture management is non-negotiable: Using targeted, clinically-tested barrier therapies is the most effective way to support skin recovery during this transition.

Navigating menopause is often described as a “second puberty,” but for many women, the changes aren’t just internal. If you have noticed that your skin is suddenly acting like a stranger, reacting to products you’ve used for years or flaring up with itchy, red patches, you aren’t alone.

This article is part of our comprehensive series, a Guide to Menopause and your Skin, designed to help you reclaim comfort in your skin. While we’ve already explored Why Menopause Causes Dry, Itchy Skin (And What Helps), Sensitive Skin During Menopause: Causes, Triggers and Care Tips, and the Best Skincare Ingredients for Menopausal Skin (And What to Avoid), this guide focuses on the specific relationship between hormonal shifts and chronic inflammatory conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

How do hormonal changes affect existing skin conditions?

Estrogen is the foundational pillar of healthy skin. It supports the production of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and essential lipids (like ceramides) that keep your skin thick, hydrated, and resilient. During menopause, the rapid decline in estrogen leads to significant thinning of the dermis and a decrease in sebum production.

For those with a history of eczema or psoriasis, this means the skin’s “shield” is effectively down. When the skin is thinner and drier, it is more easily penetrated by allergens and environmental triggers. This explains why a mild case of eczema in your 30s can suddenly become an aggressive flare-up in your 50s.

Why does menopause make eczema and psoriasis more aggressive?

It’s not just about dryness; it’s about the immune system. Estrogen typically has a regulatory effect on the body’s inflammatory response. When it disappears, the body can produce an excess of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In psoriasis, these cytokines signal the skin cells to turn over too quickly, leading to the thick, scaly plaques characteristic of the condition.

In eczema, the lack of estrogen leads to a spike in transepidermal water loss (TEWL). As moisture evaporates, the skin becomes “hyper-reactive.” This creates a vicious cycle: the skin itches, you scratch, the barrier is further damaged, and the inflammation worsens. This is often where Dermal Therapy Anti-Itch Soothing Cream can help, as it is tested to soothe that intense “menopausal itch” in minutes.

Can you differentiate between “menopausal dryness” and a clinical flare-up?

It can be tricky. Standard menopausal dryness (xerosis) usually feels like a tight, rough sensation all over. However, if you see distinct, red, inflamed patches that are weeping or intensely itchy, you are likely dealing with menopause eczema. If you notice silver-white scales on red, raised areas, particularly on the elbows, knees, or scalp, it may be hormonal psoriasis.

Because these conditions are inflammatory, they require more than a basic moisturiser. Dermal Therapy Eczema & Dermatitis Cream uses colloidal oatmeal to soothe the barrier, and Dermal Therapy Psoriasis Cream uses urea to soften and remove scales.

How can a targeted skincare routine manage hormonal flare-ups?

Managing menopausal flare-ups requires a “barrier-first” approach. This means replacing exactly what your hormones are no longer providing.

Switch to a Soap-Free Wash: Traditional soaps strip the few oils your skin has left. Use Dermal Therapy Sensitive Skin Wash to cleanse without disrupting the balance of acids.
Use Urea-Based Moisturisers: Urea is a gold-standard ingredient for menopausal skin because it is a natural moisturising factor (NMF). Dermal Therapy Very Dry Skin Cream contains 12.5% urea, which is clinically tested to increase skin hydration by 52% in two weeks. Learn more in our Guide to Urea in Skincare.
Apply to Damp Skin: To lock in maximum moisture, apply your treatments immediately after showering.

Learn more about Eczema here:

References:

Medicine Today: Skin and hair changes in menopause – it’s not just ageing!
The American Academy of Dermatology Association – Caring for your skin in menopause
EAA – Eczema Association of Australasia – Managing Eczema
National Eczema Association – How Does Menopause Affect Your Eczema?

Menopause Eczema & Psoriasis FAQs

Menopause eczema often appears as “eczema craquelé” -skin that looks like cracked porcelain or a dry riverbed. It typically shows up as red, itchy, and scaly patches on the legs, arms, and hands, where the skin has become significantly thinner due to age and hormonal loss.

The most effective way to manage menopause eczema is through consistent barrier repair. Use non-steroidal, emollient-rich formulas like Dermal Therapy Eczema & Dermatitis Lotion and Cream or Face & Eyelid Eczema Cream to provide long-lasting hydration. Avoiding hot showers and switching to fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products will also help reduce the frequency of flare-ups.

“Late-onset” eczema in your 50s is usually triggered by the “estrogen crash.” As estrogen levels fall, your skin’s ability to retain moisture and produce protective lipids drops sharply. This makes the skin barrier “leaky,” allowing irritants that never bothered you before to suddenly trigger an immune response and cause eczema.

Yes. Psoriasis has two “peak” onset ages: one in early adulthood and a second during the menopause transition (ages 50–60). The hormonal imbalance during menopause can disturb the immune system, leading to the first appearance of psoriatic plaques even if you’ve never had skin issues before.

Late-onset psoriasis is typically caused by a combination of genetics and a significant physiological trigger, in this case, menopause. The drop in estrogen shifts the body into a pro-inflammatory state, which can “switch on” the immune pathways responsible for the rapid skin cell overproduction that creates psoriasis.

Treatment involves clearing existing scales and preventing new ones. Dermal Therapy Psoriasis Cream is formulated with 10% Urea and 1.5% Lactic Acid to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells while restoring the moisture barrier. For systemic management, many women also consult their doctor about whether Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) could help stabilize their skin.

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