From hydrating day creams to cooling sprays, the best buys for menopausal skin

Score: 89/100

If night sweats weren’t unpleasant enough, they can also contribute to overnight moisture loss – this is on top of dryness caused by a weakening of the skin’s natural barrier during menopause – which can leave the skin feeling sensitive and dry.

This is why Prai has considered both sleep and skin needs with its MenoGlow collection, a range of products aimed at supporting menopausal skin.

This winning night cream helps rehydrate and plump skin with the help of hyaluronic acid, and supports collagen production with its signature M Complex, too.

The majority of our testers agreed their skin felt hydrated when they woke up the next morning after use, with many also praising the cream’s immediate cooling effect. It absorbed quickly too. All testers told us they’d continue using it after the trial period – that’s how you know you’re onto something good.

Score: 87/100

Not only does this best-selling moisturiser leave skin feeling hydrated and supple, it also contains SPF50 to prevent sun damage and exacerbation of hyperpigmentation. Other ingredients include white tea and polypeptide, both of which are rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that protect against free radical damage from exposure to UV light.

Unlike many other SPFs, testers found this one didn’t leave any white cast or greasiness, praising how well it absorbed and kept skin hydrated during the day. They also said it was a great option to wear under makeup.

Score: 86/100

All our testers said they saw an improvement in their skin after using this SPF30 hydrating day cream, telling us they planned to incorporate it into their routine after the trial.

It nourishes without looking greasy and the texture was a real hit with our panel, who said it left skin feeling hydrated and looking glowing, with a slight shimmer. As you would with any SPF, this is best applied in the morning as the final step in your routine before makeup.

Score: 84/100

This balm from Bloom and Blossom targets everything from chapped lips to dry skin and hard cuticles, earning it its multitasking title. Thanks to shea butter, which has a high concentration of vitamins and fatty acids, the balm is brilliant for adding extra moisture to the skin.

All testers agreed that it helped soothe cracked lips and dry skin, with one commenting on how it left their skin feeling “smooth, soft and nourished after each use”. As a bonus, the inclusion of lavender oil creates a relaxing aromatherapy experience.

Score: 83/100

Menopausal or not, we are all prone to dry hands, especially if we're washing them a lot, which makes this hand cream from Ameliorate a great rehydrating option to have in your bag. Suitable for menopausal skin, not only does it moisturise, this 5-in-1 cream also claims to exfoliate, renew, soften and protect busy hands.

And it proved effective. All testers said their hands felt immediately hydrated after use, with some adding that it also helped reduce the appearance of age spots. It comes in a handy, small tube, making it a great option for on-the-go TLC. “A little went a long way,” was one tester's verdict. Some did find the cream quite thick, so they preferred to use it at night instead.

Score: 82/100

The decrease in oestrogen during menopause can have an impact on the body’s fluid regulation system, meaning some people can experience an increase in swelling and water retention. This body spray aims to alleviate these concerns, working to revive tired and aching legs and feet with the help of vitamin-rich aloe vera leaf juice and energising lime oil.

Its refreshing citrus scent and cooling effect earned this spray extra marks, with the majority of our panel planning to continue using it after the trial.

Score: 82/100

After over 20 years working in the skincare industry, Skin Rocks founder and CEO, Caroline Hirons, has a deep understanding of what our skin needs. The brand’s Support Oil has a carefully selected ingredient list to help tackle several symptoms of menopausal skin. Ideal for massaging into the face, it contains lipid-rich botanicals and oils to support the skin barrier, reduce moisture loss and soothe redness.

Testers liked that it was easy to dispense just the right amount of oil. However, it took a little time to absorb into the skin for some of our testers, so it may be another one to add to your evening routine.

Score: 81/100

Let this overnight cream do the hard work while you get your beauty sleep. You’ll wake up with “fresher, hydrated and revitalised skin”, according to one of our testers. It contains a hydrating mix of lipids and ceramides, which work to strengthen the skin’s barrier function, reducing moisture loss and keeping skin hydrated.

Our testers enjoyed the creamy texture of this moisturiser, which made application easy, and didn't leave behind any sticky residue. They also appreciated the cream’s cooling effects – a welcome added bonus.

Score: 80/100

Another top scoring moisturiser and SPF50 hybrid on our list, this time from Trinny Woodall’s popular online skincare brand, Trinny London. See The Light was three years in the making and it certainly impressed our testers, with everyone agreeing it left their skin feeling softer, more hydrated and smoother after use.

It left no white cast or residue, which makes it a great everyday base for makeup. Some of our panel found the fragrance slightly overpowering, but that will come down to personal preference (we love the fresh scent).

Score: 79/100

This is the first product on our list from the Vichy Neovadiol range, which has been developed to tackle changes to the skin during menopause and beyond. The range offers intense hydration and its eye and lip cream works to reduce the impact of hormonal fluctuations on the fragile skin around our eyes and mouth.

The formula includes key ingredients such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, which work to hydrate and minimise fine lines, as well as a caffeine extract to help reduce the look of under-eye circles.

The squeeze top applicator went down well with our testers, with many loving how easy and mess-free it made the application. Many found it was quickly absorbed too, with one panellist describing it as “moisturising and soothing to the under-eye, without being greasy or shiny.” Sold.

Score: 78/100

The Vichy Neovadiol range is another one that's been developed to tackle key menopausal skin concerns. Its plumping day cream is designed to counteract skin sagging and loss of firmness. It contains hyaluronic acid – great for retaining moisture – and cassia seed extract, which works as an anti-inflammatory to reduce redness.

This fast-absorbing cream leaves no greasy or sticky residue, which went down a treat with our panel. In fact, it left one tester’s skin looking so lifted and smooth, their friend thought they'd had a tweakment!

Score: 78/100

The second Ameliorate product on our list, the range is designed to deliver long-lasting hydration, smooth fine lines and brighten skin. Not only does this nourishing day cream include the hydrating hero hyaluronic acid, it also contains bio honey and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that work to gently exfoliate the skin to refine texture and leave it looking smooth.

Another key ingredient is lactococcus ferment lysate, which works to eliminate dead skin cells and reinforce the barrier function, making it great for combatting any dryness and preventing moisture loss.

This fast-absorbing cream delivers a dose of hydration to the skin immediately, but testers said it did take a good few pumps to get there. But once a generous amount was applied, it left skin feeling moisturised all day.

Score: 78/100

Next up, the brand’s lightweight facial serum, which contains Ameliorate’s unique LaH6 hydration complex to help soothe and balance skin. You’ll also find alpha hydroxy acids, which help to exfoliate and encourage skin cell renewal, transforming dry, rough skin into a smooth, even base.

Although nearly all testers agreed this serum delivered a dose of moisture, some did note that it had a slight greasy texture.

Score: 77/100

This fragrance-free body lotion was effective at eliminating dryness. It delivered instant moisture and reduced the appearance of “scaly legs” for our testers. This is down to those exfoliating AHAs, which encourage natural skin regeneration.

Our panel praised this fast-acting lotion, with one tester reporting a “noticeable, almost instant, difference to skin texture” after use.

Score: 77/100

Those uncomfortable night flushes can leave your skin feeling hot, then dry, which is why Vichy developed this hydrating night cream with cooling properties, to help alleviate discomfort during flushes, and also prevent any dryness afterwards.

Some testers found this one a little too fragranced, which slightly irritated breakout areas, so we suggest opting for something else if you are experiencing any inflammation. However, most were satisfied with how plump and hydrated it left their skin, with the cooling properties earning extra brownie points.

Score: 77/100

Another product from Prai’s Menoglow range, this moisturising cream aims to restore collagen and hydration levels, delivering plump, replenished skin.

The inclusion of aloe vera works to both hydrate and cool the complexion, with all our testers finding this one immediately hydrating. The light gel-like texture also played a part in cooling, but some thought it felt slightly too thin, so you may need to apply a generous layer.

Score: 72/100

This moisturiser sets out to target dryness and fine lines with five key ingredients: peptides, resveratrol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acids and natural butters.

Peptides and resveratrol work together to help smooth fine lines, alongside hydrating hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. In fact, one tester said it stopped their nose from peeling while they had a cold – so whether it’s alleviating the effects of hot flushes or cold spells, this cream will leave your skin feeling super soft.

Testers found this cream very rich in texture, helping to hydrate extra dry skin for longer, though this did mean it took longer to absorb. Those who experience breakouts may want to opt for a more lightweight option.

Score: 71/100

Skincare brand Silver is all about embracing ageing and those lines you’ve earned, but also recognises that you may want to brighten and refresh your complexion too.

Packed with essential oils, this serum can be used as an overnight treatment, or under makeup to nourish throughout the day. It contains the herb swertiamarin, which helps stimulate stem cells and rejuvenate the epidermis, working to plump and firm.

The majority of testers found it a great hydrating option that absorbed well in skin, though it was a little tricky to dispense.

Score: 70/100

Tripeptides are a formulation of three amino acids, which work to boost skin cell renewal and boost collagen production. This gave the skin a plump feel, with immediate hydration reported by most of our testers. But some found they needed to reapply the cream later in the day as dryness returned.

Score: 70/100

Another collagen and peptide-boosting serum, this product, which is part of No7’s dedicated menopause skincare range, works to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and leave complexions looking radiant. The majority of our testers found it did just that, agreeing they would use the serum again.

Not only did the roller applicator make the product easy to dispense, it also had a lovely cooling effect on our testers’ skin (ideal for a mini-massage). Testers worried the roller might make it tricky to use up every drop of product, but that was a minor niggle.