56% of women initially mistake menopause-related skin changes for signs of general ageing, according to new Galderma research released ahead of World Menopause Day on October 18.

Perspectus Global ran the international survey between August 25 and September 1, 2026, polling 5,090 women in the UK, US, Brazil and China who have experienced or are experiencing perimenopause or menopause. Just 29% initially recognised menopause as a possible cause of skin changes. Half remained unaware that hormonal fluctuations during this stage affect the skin at all.

Anne-Cécile Chevrier, Galderma's global head of injectable aesthetics, said: "Too many women are navigating changes in their skin without recognising that menopause may be playing a role."

What does this mean for the treatment room?

For beauty therapists and skin clinicians, the data exposes a sizeable education gap. Declining oestrogen during perimenopause and menopause reshapes collagen production, hydration, elasticity and barrier function. Clients present with dryness, reduced firmness, textural change and heightened sensitivity — complaints that overlap with chronological ageing and often get filed under the same product recommendation.

A consultation that names the hormonal driver shifts the conversation from anti-ageing to skin support. That matters commercially. Seven in 10 women (70%) said they had bought anti-ageing skincare to address what turned out to be menopausal changes. Sixty-two per cent reported feeling overwhelmed by skincare advice during this stage.

Why are clients buying the wrong products?

Among women who struggled to find clear guidance, almost half said the available advice was too general and fixated on ageing rather than menopause specifically. That puts the salon consultation centre stage.

Rather than defaulting to an anti-ageing script, therapists can probe dryness, sensitivity, texture shifts and reduced resilience, then layer in hormonal and lifestyle context. Menopause awareness sharpens recommendation and expectation-setting. It does not mean binning the existing skincare approach.

What do clients actually want?

Eighty-two per cent of respondents agreed that clearer understanding of the difference between general ageing and menopause-related skin change would help them feel more in control of their skincare decisions. That appetite translates directly into consultation depth, realistic treatment planning and tailored homecare — services salons and skin clinics can monetise beyond product margins. It also points to retention: women who feel heard come back.

It also flags a referral responsibility. Where symptoms stretch beyond the cosmetic, the appropriate move is to point clients toward a healthcare professional.

How should practitioners respond?

Chevrier added that the findings demonstrated the need to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to ageing and provide women with clearer, science-backed information. For practitioners, that means treating menopausal skin health as a continuing-education pillar, not a one-off campaign around World Menopause Day.

Women are buying anti-ageing products for a problem they have not named, and the pros who help them name it will keep the chair.