Dove Just Launched Skincare Products for Perimenopause and Menopause—and Women 50-Plus Feel Seen
A doctor explains how targeted products may help menopause-related skin changes
When it comes to earlier reproductive life stages, like getting your first period, girls and young women are typically given a playbook of sorts from their mother or a health class in school.
But when it comes to midlife and the later stages of your reproductive health, like perimenopause and menopause, many women enter with little knowledge and little to no support. In recent years, there’s been a growing conversation about menopause and perimenopause, with celebrities like Halle Berry and Christina Aguilera speaking openly about their own experiences and challenges.
Now, Dove has joined that conversation with the launch of a new Women’s Wellness line of skincare products designed to support women in perimenopause and menopause. We spoke to experts about why menopause has been overlooked by the beauty and health space, the need for wellness products tailored to this stage of life and everything to know about Dove’s game-changing product line.
Woman's World Answers
Why menopause has been so ignored
A survey led by University College London researchers found that “more than 90 percent of postmenopausal women were never taught about the menopause at school.” The lack of education around menopause and women’s wellness in general runs deep.
“Historically, women’s health, especially related to aging, has been shrouded in stigma, under-researched and often ignored,” says Kate McLean MD, MPH, FACOG, Chief Medical Officer at women’s health brand Evvy. “Women weren’t even required to be included in clinical research in the US until 1993, which means our foundational understanding of health and disease largely excludes the realities of female physiology. As a result, menopause has often been treated as a taboo or a ‘shrinking’ phase of life, rather than what it truly is: a complex, powerful and deeply individual transition that deserves support and attention.”
The power of creating products specifically for perimenopausal and menopausal women
Women’s health and wellness products tailored to specific life stages can make a big difference in how we experience those crucial turning points. Think hair growth oils during postpartum hair loss or menstrual products that ease pain. Women in perimenopause and menopause deserve the same thoughtful support.
When it comes to women in perimenopause and menopause, Dr. McLean says specific wellness products are needed “because their needs are different—biologically, hormonally and even emotionally.”
“Products designed without these shifts in mind often fall short,” continues Dr. McLean. “Women in this phase are navigating not only skin changes, but also shifts in the vaginal microbiome, urogenital health, mental health and more.”
A symptom-by-symptom guide to Dove’s perimenopause/menopause line
Dove’s new Women’s Wellness Collection is designed to support women in perimenopause and menopause with formulas specifically designed to meet our changing needs. Here, the types of changes you can expect during menopause and how these tailored products may help.
Dry and itchy skin?
“As estrogen levels decline during perimenopause and menopause, the skin produces less collagen and natural oils—both of which are key for maintaining moisture and elasticity,” says Dr. McLean. “This hormonal shift leads to thinner, drier skin that may feel itchy, especially in areas with less oil production like the arms, legs and hands.”
What might help: Dove Cleansing Oil ($19.99)
“Infused with 50 percent glycerin and a nourishing triple oil blend of jojoba, coconut and sweet almond oils, Dove Cleansing Oil deeply moisturizes in an oil-to-lather format without leaving a greasy residue,” a Dove press release reads.
Body odor or skin texture changes?
“Changes in hormone levels, especially reduced estrogen and altered cortisol patterns, can affect the skin’s microbiome and sweat gland activity,” says Dr. McLean. “This may lead to shifts in body odor, increased sensitivity or a rougher, more uneven skin texture. The pH of the skin can also change, potentially altering how it reacts to products or environmental triggers.”
What might help: Dove Glycolic Serum Wash ($19.99)
“This wash is formulated with glycolic acid to help gently smooth skin while also supporting odor control. It’s acidified and pH-optimized to help maintain the skin’s natural balance and support freshness,” according to a Dove press release.
Vulva dryness, sensitivity or pH changes?
“One of the most well-documented effects of estrogen decline is vulvovaginal atrophy, which leads to thinner vaginal and vulvar tissues, decreased lubrication and increased sensitivity or irritation,” says Dr. McLean. “These changes often coincide with a shift in the vaginal pH—becoming less acidic—which can disrupt the protective vaginal microbiome and increase susceptibility to irritation, infections or inflammation.”
What might help:
Dove Whole Body Wash ($19.99)
“Infused with hyaluronic acid and plant-based moisturizers for vulva nourishment, it provides 24-hour hydration and helps maintain the skin’s natural barrier,” a Dove press release notes. “Made with just 11 essential ingredients, this product is fragrance-free and clinically proven to be non-irritating and gentle for the vulva and body.”
Dove Ultra Gentle Balm ($19.99)
“With a vulva nourishment serum containing hyaluronic acid, coconut oil, shea butter, mango seed butter and jojoba oil, this balm supports women who experience intimate dryness due to estrogen loss,” according to a Dove press release. “The product is fragrance-free with 12 hours of moisturization and is ob-gyn-approved.”
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
