Menopause Itchy Skin: Why Perimenopause Itchy Skin Happens and What May Help

Q: Is itchy skin a sign of perimenopause?

It can be. Reviews list dryness and pruritus (itch) among menopausal skin symptoms and link falling estrogen to more water loss through the skin. This link comes from reviews, not trials, and itch has many other causes, so itch that lasts or has no rash is worth a clinician visit.

Q: Why is my skin so itchy at night in menopause?

We don't know. In the abstracts we reviewed, no study looked at night-time itch in menopause, and we found no study showing that hot flashes cause it. A dermatology review notes that chronic itch in general is linked with significant sleep problems, so itch that wakes you most nights is a reason to see a clinician.

Q: What is formication?

Formication is a crawling or 'ants on the skin' sensation. A 2024 meta-analysis of 321 studies covering 482,067 middle-aged women put its pooled prevalence at 20.5%, the lowest of the 19 menopausal symptoms it measured.

Q: What's the best lotion for menopausal dry skin?

No lotion has been tested for itch in menopausal women in the abstracts we reviewed, so there is no evidence-based best product. Small trials found that a hyaluronic acid lotion (in older adults) and coconut or mineral oil (in adults with dry skin) raised skin hydration on the legs, but neither clearly reduced itch. A fragrance-free moisturizer applied after bathing is expert opinion.

Q: Can menopause cause eczema?

In the abstracts we reviewed, no study measured whether eczema starts or worsens at menopause. Reviews describe dry, itchy skin with menopause, and a review of aging skin says improving barrier function helps eczematous dermatitis in older people. A clinician can tell whether a rash is eczema or something else.

Q: Do supplements help menopause itchy skin?

In the abstracts we reviewed, no supplement was tested for itch. One 6-month trial of 44 postmenopausal women found that a soy protein drink with isoflavones raised cheek hydration compared with baseline. It was funded by the United Soybean Board and Soy Nutrition Institute Global, which had no role in design, analysis or publication, and one author has ties to companies including Arbonne, Codex Labs and Nutrafol.

Q: Does HRT help itchy skin?

Reviews state that hormone therapy is not indicated for skin symptoms alone, and one review says the skin effects of today's low-dose systemic hormone treatments are not well established. Hormone decisions are personal, so ask your clinician how they fit your own symptoms.

Q: When should I see a doctor about itching?

See a clinician for itch with no rash, itch that lasts for weeks, whole-body itch, itch that wakes you most nights, or itch with a rash, blisters, bleeding, yellowing skin or eyes, weight loss or night sweats beyond your usual hot flashes. A clinician may order blood tests such as a blood count and liver, kidney and thyroid checks.

By Peptide Skincare Editorial Team · Published November 5, 2026 · Updated November 3, 2026 · 16 min read

Start with our pillar guide: What Is the Skin Barrier? The Science of Hydration, Ceramides and Occlusives, or browse all Skincare Fundamentals articles.

Menopause itchy skin is a recognized symptom: reviews list dryness and pruritus (itch) among menopausal skin changes and link falling estrogen to more water loss and a weaker barrier. Perimenopause itching is mostly managed with ordinary barrier care, but the moisturizer trials we found were in older adults or adults with dry skin, not menopausal women.

Evidence: Limited.

This page is part of our menopause skin series, and the series hub, our menopause skin care guide, covers skin changes more broadly. For the science of water and the skin's outer layer, see our pillar guide to hydration and the skin barrier. Here we cover only itch and dryness: why they happen, what has been tested, and when itch points to something other than menopause.

Key takeaways

A 2022 narrative review lists dryness and pruritus among menopausal skin symptoms and states that hormone therapy is not indicated for skin symptoms alone (Zouboulis et al., 2022).
A 2024 meta-analysis of 321 studies (482,067 middle-aged women) put the pooled prevalence of formication, a crawling sensation on the skin, at 20.5% (Fang et al., 2024).
In a 4-week randomized trial of 36 nursing-home residents aged 60–80, a low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid lotion raised leg skin hydration more than the comparison lotions but did not change symptom scores (Muhammad et al., 2024).
The only supplement trial we found, 44 postmenopausal women over 6 months, measured hydration and wrinkles, not itch (Rizzo et al., 2023).
A 2022 dermatology review says itch can come from kidney, liver, thyroid and other internal causes, and lists blood tests for the first workup (Roh et al., 2022).

Menopause and itching: why does menopause make your skin itch?

Reviews suggest that falling estrogen leaves skin drier and its barrier weaker, and dry skin itches. That explanation comes from review articles, not from trials that tested it directly.

A 2022 narrative review in Climacteric lists "dryness and pruritus" among menopausal skin symptoms, alongside thinning and poor wound healing (Zouboulis et al., 2022). One author affiliation is Laboratoires Vichy, a L'Oréal skincare brand; funding and conflicts are not stated in PubMed.

A 2022 literature review from a UK NHS dermatology department says estrogen is implicated in transepidermal water loss (TEWL, water evaporating out through the skin) and in loss of dermal collagen. It links menopause with xerosis (the medical term for dry skin) and pruritus, and says more research on treatments is needed (Kamp et al., 2022). The authors declare no conflicts.

Three more reviews point the same way. A 2013 review describes thinner skin, less collagen and increased dryness after estrogen loss, with a weaker protective function (Thornton, 2013; funding not stated in PubMed). A 2021 review ties estrogen deficiency to dryness and impaired barrier function and promotes phytoestrogen cosmeceuticals (Lephart, 2021). Its lead author is an inventor on equol patents, the co-author is affiliated with e-Bio Corp., and the review was funded in part by Brigham Young University's technology transfer office. A 2025 review links estrogen decline to moisture loss and dryness (Viscomi et al., 2025). The review was funded by Merz Aesthetics; the authors declare no conflicts, and one author is in private aesthetic practice.

For the wider picture of how skin changes at menopause, see our menopause skin care guide.

Evidence: Expert opinion / review.

Is menopause itching at night normal, and what is "crawling skin"?

In the abstracts we reviewed, no study looked at menopause itching at night, so we can't say how common it is or what drives it. "Crawling skin," called formication, has been measured: one meta-analysis found it in about 1 in 5 middle-aged women.

Formication is a crawling or "ants on the skin" sensation. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis pooled 321 studies covering 482,067 middle-aged women and estimated its prevalence at 20.5% (95% CI 13.44–28.60), the lowest of the 19 menopausal symptoms measured (Fang et al., 2024). The study had Chinese government grants, and the authors declare no competing interests.

Formication in middle-aged women

Pooled prevalence of formication: 20.5%; 95% CI 13.44-28.60
Studies pooled: 321; 482,067 middle-aged women
Menopausal symptoms compared: 19; Formication was the least common

Fang et al., 2024, BMC Public Health PubMed record

Night itch is often blamed on hot flashes. We found no study showing that hot flashes cause itch at night. A 2022 dermatology review notes that chronic itch in general is linked with significant sleep disturbances (Roh et al., 2022), which is why itch that wakes you most nights belongs on the see-a-clinician list below.

The steps below are common sense, not tested remedies.

Evening steps for itchy skin (Expert opinion)

Bath or shower
Keep it short and lukewarm
Expert opinion. No study in the abstracts we reviewed tested water temperature in menopausal skin.
Right after
Moisturize while skin is still damp
Expert opinion, in line with general barrier-care advice for older skin in one review.
Bedtime
Cool room, breathable bedding
Expert opinion. Untested for itch.
Overnight
Keep nails short
Expert opinion, aimed at limiting damage if you scratch in your sleep.

Evidence: Moderate (formication prevalence); Expert opinion (night-time steps).

What does menopause dry skin look like on the face and body?

Menopause dry skin usually looks and feels rough, scaly or tight, and it often itches. Age adds to the change, because older skin holds less water and repairs its barrier less well.

One trial describes xerosis as dry, rough, scaly and itchy skin linked to a defect in barrier function (Agero & Verallo-Rowell, 2004). A 2020 review of aging skin reports reduced water in the stratum corneum (the skin's outermost layer), a weaker permeability barrier and a higher skin surface pH (Wang et al., 2020). That review, funded by the NIH, is about age, not menopause, so it can't separate the two.

Perimenopause dry skin and menopause dry skin on the face follow the same barrier logic, though most moisturizer trials measured legs. Our guide on how to fix a damaged skin barrier covers repair steps, and the hydration and skin barrier pillar explains humectants and occlusives in depth. If your skin is dry in some areas and breaking out in others, our perimenopause acne guide covers the breakout side.

Evidence: Expert opinion / review.

What helps menopause itchy skin? The best lotion for menopausal dry skin, by ingredient type

In the abstracts we reviewed, no moisturizer or itch treatment was tested in a menopause-selected group. The closest evidence is small trials in older adults or people with dry skin, where humectant and oil-based moisturizers raised hydration but did not clearly reduce itch.

Approach	What was tested	Menopause-selected?	Label
Humectant lotion (low- vs high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid)	36 nursing-home residents aged 60–80, 3 leg sites, 4 weeks; hydration rose, no change in TEWL or symptom score	No	Limited
Occlusive oils (coconut vs mineral oil)	34 patients with mild to moderate xerosis, legs, 2 weeks; both raised hydration; itch and dryness scores not significantly different	No	Limited
Ammonium lactate lotion	Controlled multicenter trial vs an emollient control in moderate xerosis; no abstract, so no results to report	No	Not assessable (title only)
"Soft estrogen" cosmeceutical (MEP)	Postmenopausal women never on hormone therapy, face, 14 weeks, n not reported; investigator-rated dryness improved vs vehicle	Yes	Early / preliminary
Gentle cleansing, lukewarm water, fragrance-free products, moisturizing right after bathing	Not tested as a routine in the abstracts we reviewed; one review supports barrier care in older skin in general terms	No	Expert opinion

Humectants. A humectant is an ingredient that holds water in the stratum corneum. In a 4-week double-blind randomized trial, 36 nursing-home residents aged 60–80 with dry skin applied 3 lotions to 3 leg sites. The low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid lotion raised skin capacitance, a hydration measure, more than high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (56.37 vs 52.37 AU, p=0.004) and the vehicle (49.01 AU, p<0.001). There was no difference in TEWL or symptom score, and no side effects were found (Muhammad et al., 2024). A Universitas Indonesia grant funded it; conflicts are not stated in PubMed.

Leg skin hydration after 4 weeks in older adults with dry skin Source: Muhammad et al., 2024 (n=36, aged 60-80, not menopause-selected)

Show data table

Lotion	Skin capacitance (AU)
Low-molecular-weight HA	56.37AU
High-molecular-weight HA	52.37AU
Vehicle (no HA)	49.01AU

Occlusive oils. An occlusive is an oil or film that slows water loss. In a 2-week double-blind randomized trial of 34 patients with mild to moderate xerosis, coconut oil and mineral oil worked about equally on the legs: both improved hydration and surface lipids, with no difference in TEWL or pH. Itch and dryness scores trended in favor of coconut oil, but not significantly (Agero & Verallo-Rowell, 2004). Funding is not stated in PubMed.

Ammonium lactate. A multicenter trial titled "A controlled comparative efficacy study of ammonium lactate lotion versus an emollient control lotion in the treatment of moderate xerosis" has no abstract in PubMed, so we can't report its results (Wehr et al., 1991). The listed affiliation is Bristol-Myers Squibb, a drug company.

"Soft estrogen" cosmeceutical. A double-blind randomized pilot tested topical methyl estradiolpropanoate (MEP) on the faces of postmenopausal women who had never taken hormone therapy, for 14 weeks. The investigator rated dryness, laxity, atrophy and dullness as improved vs vehicle (dryness p<0.001), and the authors report MEP is broken down in the skin to an inactive compound (Draelos, 2018). The abstract gives no sample size, and funding is not stated in PubMed.

Everyday care. A short lukewarm wash, a fragrance-free cleanser and moisturizer, and moisturizing right after bathing are clinic convention, labeled Expert opinion. A 2020 review supports improving barrier function in older skin only in general terms (Wang et al., 2020). If you're wondering whether one product can do both jobs, see can I use body lotion on my face. Dry, reactive skin can also find sunscreen harder to wear; our guide to sunscreen for sensitive skin covers options.

Evidence: Limited.

Is there a link between eczema and menopause?

In the abstracts we reviewed, no study measured whether eczema starts or worsens at menopause. Reviews describe dry, itchy skin with menopause, and barrier repair helps eczematous dermatitis in older people, but menopause eczema as its own condition has not been studied in the papers we found.

Kamp and colleagues associate menopause with xerosis and pruritus (Kamp et al., 2022). Separately, a review of aging skin says improving epidermal function has been an effective approach for eczematous dermatitis, pruritus and xerosis in the elderly (Wang et al., 2020). Neither paper tested a menopausal group for eczema.

For other skin conditions, a 2026 systematic review of 40 studies found that psoriasis frequently persisted or worsened after menopause, though objective assessments were limited (Roster et al., 2026). One author discloses chairing the AAD Menopause and Women's Health in Dermatology Quality Improvement Workgroup; the others report no conflicts.

A red, scaly or weeping rash isn't something to self-label. A clinician can tell whether it's eczema, simple dry skin or something else.

Evidence: Limited / Expert opinion.

Do supplements for menopause itchy skin work?

In the abstracts we reviewed, no supplement was tested for itch. The only relevant trial measured hydration and wrinkles after a soy protein drink in postmenopausal women.

In a 6-month double-blind randomized trial, 44 postmenopausal women with Fitzpatrick skin types I–III drank either soy protein with added isoflavones or casein protein. In the soy group, cheek hydration rose 39% and 68% (left and right cheeks) compared with baseline, a within-group change rather than a comparison with casein. Wrinkle severity was lower than in the casein group at 16 and 24 weeks, and sebum did not change (Rizzo et al., 2023).

The trial was funded by the United Soybean Board and Soy Nutrition Institute Global, which had no role in design, analysis or publication. One author is a scientific advisor to Arbonne, Codex Labs and LearnHealth and has consulted for companies including Nutrafol, Burt's Bees and Galderma; another advises Codex Labs. One small trial, with these ties and a vs-baseline hydration result, can't tell you a supplement eases itch. For collagen questions, see our collagen for menopause guide.

Evidence: Limited.

Does hormone therapy help menopause itchy skin?

Reviews say hormone therapy is not indicated for skin symptoms alone, and the skin effects of today's low-dose systemic treatments are not well established. Whether it fits your own symptoms is a question to ask your clinician.

The 2022 Climacteric review states that hormone replacement therapy "is not indicated for skin and hair symptoms alone" because of the risk-benefit balance, while saying possible skin benefits should be part of informed discussions with women (Zouboulis et al., 2022). A 2025 review says clinical guidelines don't support hormone therapy solely for estrogen-deficient skin because robust skin-specific trials are lacking (Viscomi et al., 2025). The 2021 Lephart review adds that "the effects of today's low-dose systemic hormone treatments are not well established" for skin (Lephart, 2021).

For topical estrogen and skin, see our guide to estrogen cream for the face.

Evidence: Expert opinion / review.

When is menopause itchy skin not just menopause?

Itch with no rash, itch that lasts, or itch that comes with other symptoms may have a cause other than menopause and is worth a clinician visit. A dermatology review lists kidney, liver, thyroid, nerve and cancer-related causes among many.

A 2022 continuing-education review in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology says itch can come from skin disease, systemic disease (kidney, liver, endocrine), cancer, nerve problems or psychological causes (Roh et al., 2022). It recommends that a clinician's first workup may include a complete blood count, liver, kidney and thyroid tests, and diabetes screening, guided by history and exam. It flags heightened concern for an underlying cancer in people over 60 with a history of liver disease and diffuse itch of less than 12 months. The review was NIH-funded; one author consults for or advises AbbVie, Pfizer, Regeneron, Galderma and other companies.

A 2020 review of itch in people over 65 sorts it into 6 types, including itch from systemic disease, skin disease, nerve problems and unknown causes (Chung et al., 2020). It was funded by Korean government grants, and the authors declare no conflicts.

A 2018 review notes that vulvar or genital itch has many possible causes, often more than one at a time, so see a clinician for it (Savas et al., 2018).

Evidence: Expert opinion / review.

Part of our menopause skin series

Where the evidence stops

The estrogen-dryness-itch link rests on reviews, not trials that tested it.
In the abstracts we reviewed, no moisturizer or itch treatment was tested in menopause-selected women; the moisturizer trials enrolled older adults or people with dry skin, on the legs.
No study we found measured eczema starting or worsening at menopause, or night-time itch in menopause.
The only supplement trial measured hydration, not itch, in 44 women.

FAQ

Is itchy skin a sign of perimenopause?

It can be. Reviews list dryness and pruritus (itch) among menopausal skin symptoms and link falling estrogen to more water loss through the skin. This link comes from reviews, not trials, and itch has many other causes, so itch that lasts or has no rash is worth a clinician visit.

Why is my skin so itchy at night in menopause?

We don't know. In the abstracts we reviewed, no study looked at night-time itch in menopause, and we found no study showing that hot flashes cause it. A dermatology review notes that chronic itch in general is linked with significant sleep problems, so itch that wakes you most nights is a reason to see a clinician.

What is formication?

Formication is a crawling or 'ants on the skin' sensation. A 2024 meta-analysis of 321 studies covering 482,067 middle-aged women put its pooled prevalence at 20.5%, the lowest of the 19 menopausal symptoms it measured.

What's the best lotion for menopausal dry skin?

No lotion has been tested for itch in menopausal women in the abstracts we reviewed, so there is no evidence-based best product. Small trials found that a hyaluronic acid lotion (in older adults) and coconut or mineral oil (in adults with dry skin) raised skin hydration on the legs, but neither clearly reduced itch. A fragrance-free moisturizer applied after bathing is expert opinion.

Can menopause cause eczema?

In the abstracts we reviewed, no study measured whether eczema starts or worsens at menopause. Reviews describe dry, itchy skin with menopause, and a review of aging skin says improving barrier function helps eczematous dermatitis in older people. A clinician can tell whether a rash is eczema or something else.

Do supplements help menopause itchy skin?

In the abstracts we reviewed, no supplement was tested for itch. One 6-month trial of 44 postmenopausal women found that a soy protein drink with isoflavones raised cheek hydration compared with baseline. It was funded by the United Soybean Board and Soy Nutrition Institute Global, which had no role in design, analysis or publication, and one author has ties to companies including Arbonne, Codex Labs and Nutrafol.

Does HRT help itchy skin?

Reviews state that hormone therapy is not indicated for skin symptoms alone, and one review says the skin effects of today's low-dose systemic hormone treatments are not well established. Hormone decisions are personal, so ask your clinician how they fit your own symptoms.

When should I see a doctor about itching?

See a clinician for itch with no rash, itch that lasts for weeks, whole-body itch, itch that wakes you most nights, or itch with a rash, blisters, bleeding, yellowing skin or eyes, weight loss or night sweats beyond your usual hot flashes. A clinician may order blood tests such as a blood count and liver, kidney and thyroid checks.

References

Zouboulis, et al. Skin, hair and beyond: the impact of menopause. Climacteric. 2022. Narrative review; funding and conflicts not stated in PubMed; one listed affiliation is Laboratoires Vichy, a L'Oréal skincare brand. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35377827/
Kamp, et al. Menopause, skin and common dermatoses. Part 2: skin disorders. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2022. Literature review; authors declare no conflict of interest. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35727900/
Roster, et al. Menopause and Common Dermatoses: A Systematic Review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2026. Systematic review, 40 studies; one author discloses chairing the AAD Menopause and Women's Health in Dermatology Quality Improvement Workgroup; the others report no conflicts. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41331233/
Thornton. Estrogens and aging skin. Dermatoendocrinol. 2013. Review; funding and conflicts not stated in PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24194966/
Lephart. Menopause and the Skin: Old Favorites and New Innovations in Cosmeceuticals for Estrogen-Deficient Skin. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2021. Narrative review; lead author is an inventor on equol patents; co-author affiliated with e-Bio Corp.; funded in part by Brigham Young University's technology transfer office (per full text). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33242128/
Viscomi, et al. Managing Menopausal Skin Changes: A Narrative Review of Skin Quality Changes, Their Aesthetic Impact, and the Actual Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy in Improvement. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025. Narrative review; funded by Merz Aesthetics (per full text); authors declare no conflicts; one author is in private aesthetic practice. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40847905/
Chung, et al. Pathophysiology and Treatment of Pruritus in Elderly. Int J Mol Sci. 2020. Review, adults over 65, not menopause-specific; Korean government grants; authors declare no conflict of interest. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33375325/
Roh, et al. Itch: Epidemiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic workup. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022. CME review; NIH-funded; one author consults for or advises AbbVie, Pfizer, Regeneron, Galderma and other companies. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34428534/
Wang, et al. Aging-associated alterations in epidermal function and their clinical significance. Aging (Albany NY). 2020. Review, aged skin, not menopause-specific; NIH (NIAMS) funded in part; authors declare no conflicts (per full text). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32217811/
Muhammad, et al. Effectiveness of topical hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in xerosis cutis treatment in elderly: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Arch Dermatol Res. 2024. Double-blind RCT, 36 nursing-home residents aged 60–80, legs, 4 weeks, not menopause-selected; Universitas Indonesia grant; conflicts not stated in PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38829483/
Agero, et al. A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing extra virgin coconut oil with mineral oil as a moisturizer for mild to moderate xerosis. Dermatitis. 2004. Double-blind RCT, 34 patients, legs, 2 weeks, not menopause-selected; funding and conflicts not stated in PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15724344/
Wehr, et al. A controlled comparative efficacy study of 5% ammonium lactate lotion versus an emollient control lotion in the treatment of moderate xerosis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1991. Controlled multicenter randomized trial per PubMed record type; no abstract in PubMed, cited by title only; listed affiliation is Bristol-Myers Squibb. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1802909/
Rizzo, et al. Soy Protein Containing Isoflavones Improves Facial Signs of Photoaging and Skin Hydration in Postmenopausal Women: Results of a Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2023. Double-blind RCT, 44 postmenopausal women, 6 months; funded by the United Soybean Board and Soy Nutrition Institute Global (sponsor had no role in design, analysis or publication); one author advises Arbonne, Codex Labs and LearnHealth and has consulted for Nutrafol, Burt's Bees, Galderma and others; another advises Codex Labs. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37836398/
Draelos. A Double-Blind Randomized Pilot Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Topical MEP in the Facial Appearance Improvement of Estrogen Deficient Females. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018. Double-blind randomized pilot, postmenopausal women, face, 14 weeks, n not reported in abstract; funding and affiliations not stated in PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30500138/
Savas, et al. Female Genital Itch. Dermatol Clin. 2018. Review; funding and conflicts not stated in PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29929595/
Fang, et al. Mapping global prevalence of menopausal symptoms among middle-aged women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2024. Systematic review and meta-analysis, 321 studies, 482,067 middle-aged women; Chinese government grants; authors declare no competing interests. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38956480/

Disclosure: This article is for general information only. It is not medical advice. Peptide Skincare has no affiliate links in this article and received no payment from any manufacturer mentioned. Menopause and hormone decisions are personal. Ask your clinician about hormone therapy, prescription creams or any new skin symptom.

For educational purposes only; not medical advice. See our disclaimer and research method.