Hyaluronic Acid: An Ally Against Wrinkles and Skin Dryness

Beauty

What is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a molecule naturally present in our body, especially in the skin, cartilage, and joints. Chemically, it is a polysaccharide (a type of complex sugar) with an incredible ability to retain water holding up to 1,000 times its own weight in water.
This characteristic makes hyaluronic acid one of the most important substances for skin hydration, elasticity, and firmness.

Over time, especially after the age of 40 and during menopause, the body’s natural production of hyaluronic acid decreases. The result is the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, dryness, and facial volume loss.

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Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life, marked by a decrease in estrogen levels — a hormone that plays a fundamental role in skin health. This hormonal decline directly affects the skin structure, accelerating the aging process. Understanding these changes helps explain why hyaluronic acid becomes so important during this period.

1. Reduction of Collagen and Elastin

Collagen is responsible for giving skin firmness and support, while elastin ensures flexibility and resilience.
During menopause, the production of these proteins drops drastically — women lose about 30% of their collagen in the first five years after menopause.
The result is skin that becomes thinner, more fragile, and prone to sagging, with more pronounced wrinkles.

2. Decreased Natural Production of Hyaluronic Acid

Naturally found in the skin, hyaluronic acid’s role is to retain water and maintain hydration.
During menopause, the body’s ability to produce this substance decreases, leaving the skin dehydrated, dull, and more vulnerable to external damage (such as pollution and UV radiation).
This reduction contributes to the appearance of dull, lackluster skin with more visible fine lines and wrinkles.

3. Skin Dryness

Lower estrogen levels also reduce sebum production by the sebaceous glands, diminishing the skin’s natural protective barrier.
This leads to intense dryness, itching, flaking, and a “tight” feeling.
Many women also notice that their skin becomes more sensitive and rough to the touch during this stage.

4. Sagging and Facial Contour Changes

In addition to the loss of collagen and hyaluronic acid, there is also a reduction of adipose tissue that supports the face.
This causes the facial contour to lose definition, leading to the appearance of “sagging cheeks,” deep folds, and the well-known nasolabial folds (“smile lines”).Read more: https://mariahchic.com/menopause/hydrolyzed-collagen-menopause

How Does Hyaluronic Acid Help Reverse These Effects?

The use of hyaluronic acid, whether in topical cosmetics or aesthetic injectable treatments, brings several benefits:

✅ Deep hydration – replenishes lost water and combats menopause-related skin dryness.
✅ Wrinkle softening – fills fine lines and deeper wrinkles, restoring a rejuvenated appearance.
✅ Collagen stimulation – in injectable treatments, it helps stimulate the natural production of this protein.
✅ Elasticity and firmness – improves skin support, fighting sagging.
✅ Radiance and glow – restores a healthy, luminous look, reducing the dullness typical of menopause.
✅ Self-esteem and well-being – beyond physical benefits, it helps women feel more confident and positive about their appearance.

Skin, Wrinkles, and Menopause: Why is Hyaluronic Acid Essential?

In addition to hyaluronic acid, daily habits play a major role in supporting skin health:

🥗 Antioxidant-Rich Nutrition

Add berries, leafy greens, nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, cashews), and omega-3–rich fish to your meals.
These foods help fight free radicals that speed up skin aging.

💧 Hydration from the Inside Out

Drink at least 2 liters of water per day to keep your skin plump and hydrated.
Herbal teas like green tea and hibiscus tea also provide antioxidant support.

🌞 Daily Sunscreen

Sun damage is a leading cause of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every day, even indoors or on cloudy days.

🧴 Skincare Routine

Use serums and creams with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol to hydrate, firm, and brighten.
Opt for richer moisturizers specifically formulated for mature skin.

😴 Quality Sleep

Deep sleep is critical for cell repair and regeneration.
At night, the skin produces key proteins such as collagen.

💆‍♀️ Professional Aesthetic Treatments

Talk to a dermatologist about treatments such as:
- Hyaluronic acid fillers to smooth deep wrinkles.
- Collagen biostimulators to improve firmness.
- Peels and laser treatments to even out skin tone and reduce age spots.

Conclusion

Menopause brings inevitable hormonal changes that deeply affect the skin — from dryness and wrinkles to sagging and loss of elasticity. Hyaluronic acid stands out as one of the most effective solutions to combat these issues, whether through skincare products or aesthetic treatments.

With the right combination of hyaluronic acid, sun protection, healthy lifestyle choices, and professional care, women can embrace this new stage of life with confidence, maintaining skin that is hydrated, firm, radiant, and full of vitality.

Scientific Studies

Título: A hyaluronic acid-based micro-filler improves superficial wrinkles and skin quality: a randomized prospective controlled multicenter study – Published: 2024, Journal: Cosmetic Dermatology / via PubMed

Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronan formulations of different molecular weights (MW) in anti-wrinkle treatment – Published: Estudo clínico, “PubMed”, data em torno de 2011

Reviewed and written by: Dr. Vilma Mendonça – Pharmacist

Images used: Yandex / Pexels