Sep 12 / Star Khechara

Skin-Ageing Hormones: What Every Skin-Health Practitioner Needs to Know

Hormones as the Missing Piece in Skin Ageing Care

When addressing skin ageing, many professionals focus on collagen, hydration and antioxidant support. But hormones are one of the most critical drivers of cellular ageing and an overlooked area in client protocols. Declines in hormones such as DHEA, melatonin, growth hormone, oestrogen and testosterone accelerate visible ageing, while imbalances in cortisol and thyroid hormones can worsen inflammation, thinning and loss of elasticity. As a practitioner, understanding the role of hormones allows you to address ageing at its roots, providing your clients with a more holistic and effective strategy.

Key Hormones That Influence Skin Ageing

  • DHEA – The “Youth Hormone”
    • Produced in the adrenal glands; a precursor to oestrogen and testosterone.
    • Levels fall dramatically with age (down to 20–30% by the 70s).
    • Higher DHEA levels are linked to slower intrinsic ageing.
    • Dietary insight: The traditional Okinawan diet (rich in sweet potatoes, low in animal products and mostly plant-based) is associated with higher DHEA levels in older age.

  • Melatonin – The Sleep & Repair Hormone
    • Produced in the pineal gland, it regulates circadian rhythm.
    • Direct receptors in skin cells; protects against oxidative and UV damage.
    • Known as the Melatoninergic Antioxidative System (MAS) in dermatology.
    • Dietary insight: Adequate tryptophan intake from plant-based foods (bananas, oats, quinoa, nuts and seaweed) supports melatonin production. Quercetin-rich foods (apples, onions, blueberries) protect serotonin and melatonin levels.
    • Lifestyle note: Excess blue light and fluoride intake may suppress melatonin release.

  • Oxytocin – The “Love Hormone”
    •  Released during touch, bonding and pleasurable eating.
    • Prevents cellular senescence in dermal fibroblasts, helping skin remain youthful.
    • Aromatherapy (lavender, neroli, jasmine, clary sage, sandalwood) has been shown to increase oxytocin levels in women.
    • Declines after menopause, contributing to cardiovascular and skin ageing.

  • Thyroid Hormones
    • Control fibroblast activity and collagen production.
    • Hypothyroidism → pale, dry, puffy skin, hair loss.
    • Hyperthyroidism → thinning skin, pigmentation changes.
    • Note: Thyroid conditions require medical management, but practitioners should be aware of their profound impact on skin.

  • Testosterone
    • Declines by ~25% between ages 25–75.
    • Loss contributes to reduced elasticity, thinner skin and muscle loss.
    • Follicle sensitivity to DHT (a derivative of testosterone) plays a role in hair loss.
    • Dietary insight: Quercetin, fisetin and myricetin (apples, onions, berries, tomatoes, nuts) may help regulate androgen metabolism.

  • Growth Hormone (Somatotropin)
    • Essential for energy, but chronically high cortisol accelerates skin ageing.
    • High cortisol is associated with increased perceived age, acne and barrier damage.
    • Dietary insight: A plant-rich diet with polyphenols (quercetin, genistein and apigenin) and wholegrains reduces cortisol expression.
    • Western diets high in meat, sugar and refined grains elevate cortisol.

  • Cortisol – The Stress Hormone
    • Produced in the adrenal glands; a precursor to oestrogen and testosterone.
    • Levels fall dramatically with age (down to 20–30% by the 70s).
    • Higher DHEA levels are linked to slower intrinsic ageing.
    • Dietary insight: The traditional Okinawan diet (rich in sweet potatoes, low in animal products and mostly plant-based) is associated with higher DHEA levels in older age.

  • Oestrogen & Menopause
    • Oestrogen decline during menopause is a major contributor to accelerated skin ageing.
    • Up to 30% loss of collagen within 5 years post-menopause.
    • Increased wrinkling, dryness, pigmentation changes and skin cancer risk.
    • Dietary insight: Phytoestrogens (soya, flax, fenugreek, hops, maca, black cohosh) act as natural oestrogen modulators, improving elasticity, hydration and collagen production.
ONE OF THE MAJOR FACTORS INFLUENCING INTRINSIC AGING IS THE PROGRESSIVE DECREASE OF VARIOUS HORMONE LEVELS WITH AGE, WHICH MANIFEST THEMSELVES WITH VARIOUS SKIN CHANGES
Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation 2013

Practitioner Strategies: Applying Hormonal Insights in Client Care

  •  Dietary Guidance
    • Encourage plant-based, phytonutrient-rich diets for hormone support.
    • Incorporate foods that boost melatonin, oxytocin and phytoestrogens.

  •  Lifestyle Coaching
    •  Hormone function is optimised by stress reduction, consistent exercise and restful sleep.
    • Educate clients on blue light exposure and its effects on melatonin.

  •  Botanical Support
    • Evidence-based botanicals such as black cohosh, hops, maca, flaxseed and fenugreek can support clients during perimenopause and menopause.

  •  Client Education
    • Explain that hormonal balance is not about supplements alone: nutrition, lifestyle and phytochemicals all play a role in slowing skin ageing.

FAQs for Practitioners

Q: Can diet really influence hormones strongly enough to affect skin?

Indeed. Clinical intervention is necessary for medical conditions, but diet and lifestyle have a big influence on how hormones like oestrogen, melatonin, and cortisol are modulated, which directly affects how old skin gets.

Q: Should practitioners recommend hormone supplements?

In most cases, no. Supplements like DHEA lack strong evidence in later life. Practitioners should focus on dietary and lifestyle strategies, leaving hormone therapy decisions to medical professionals.

Q: How soon can clients expect to see improvements?

Skin benefits from hormone-friendly diets typically appear over 8–12 weeks, with deeper systemic improvements taking longer.

Final Thoughts: Elevating Skin Ageing Care with Hormonal Insights

Hormones are a missing component in anti-ageing care, according to practitioners. Incorporating evidence-based botanicals, lifestyle changes and nutrition into your protocols can help clients attain better overall health and skin health.

When we balance hormones naturally, we extend the timeline of youthful, resilient skin.

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Raising Standards in Hormone-Focused Skin Health

Functional nutrition for hormonal ageing and perimenopausal skin health is no longer a “nice-to-have” in clinical and wellness practice; it’s an essential skill. Today, clients increasingly expect healthcare, nutrition, and aesthetics providers to deliver science-backed, integrative solutions that address the root causes of ageing and hormonal changes.

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Article by Star Khechara

Professional agehacker, author, speaker, founder of skin nutrition institute
About me
Ex-skincare formulator and beauty author turned skin-nutrition educator: Star distilled her 20+ years of skin-health knowledge into the world’s first international accredited skin-nutrition school to teach skin therapists, facialists, face yoga practitioners and estheticians how to help their clients feed the skin from within for cellular-level rejuvenation and vibrant beauty. 
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