Menopause Pigmentation Connection Explained : Can Hormone Changes Cause Dark Spots?

Menopause Pigmentation

Have you noticed dark patches appearing on your face, seemingly overnight, coinciding with irregular periods or hot flushes? Are you wondering why pigmentation issues you never had before are suddenly plaguing your complexion during your 40s and 50s? You’re not imagining the connection - hormonal changes during menopause absolutely can cause dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

Understanding the intricate relationship between your hormones and skin pigmentation empowers you to address these frustrating changes effectively. Let’s explore the science behind hormone-induced dark spots and discover evidence-based solutions that actually work for menopausal skin.

The Hormone-Pigmentation Connection: What’s Really Happening

Your hormones and your skin are intimately connected through complex biological pathways. When hormonal balance shifts dramatically during perimenopause and menopause, your skin responds in visible ways - and pigmentation changes are among the most common and frustrating manifestations.

Estrogen’s Role in Skin Pigmentation

Estrogen plays a sophisticated role in regulating melanin production. When estrogen levels are balanced, they help moderate melanocyte activity, keeping pigmentation even and controlled. However, during perimenopause, estrogen doesn’t simply decline linearly - it fluctuates wildly, sometimes spiking dramatically before eventually dropping.

These hormonal fluctuations trigger melanocytes to behave erratically:

• Estrogen spikes can stimulate excessive melanin production, creating new dark spots
• Erratic hormone levels disrupt the normal melanin regulation process
• Declining estrogen affects skin barrier function, making skin more vulnerable to UV-induced pigmentation
• Hormonal imbalance triggers inflammation, which itself stimulates melanin production

This is why many women notice dark spots appearing during perimenopause, even if they’ve never had pigmentation issues before - their hormones are literally instructing their melanocytes to produce excess pigment.

Progesterone’s Impact on Melanocytes

Progesterone, the hormone that drops most dramatically during menopause, also influences pigmentation. Studies show that progesterone can stimulate melanocyte activity, and the rapid decline during menopause creates an imbalance that affects how your skin produces and distributes melanin.

During your reproductive years, the cyclical rise and fall of progesterone throughout your menstrual cycle may have caused temporary darkening of existing pigmentation - something many women notice but don’t necessarily connect to their cycle. As progesterone levels become erratic during perimenopause and eventually decline permanently, this creates lasting changes in melanin behaviour.

The Cortisol Factor

Menopause is stressful - physically and emotionally. Night sweats disrupt sleep, mood fluctuations affect relationships and work, and the physical changes can impact self-esteem. This stress elevates cortisol, your primary stress hormone.

Elevated cortisol has several effects that worsen pigmentation:

• Triggers inflammatory responses that stimulate melanin production
• Compromises skin barrier function, making skin more vulnerable to UV damage
• Disrupts other hormones, creating further imbalance
• Impairs skin repair processes, meaning pigmented cells linger longer
• Increases skin sensitivity, making previously tolerated sun exposure more problematic

The cortisol-pigmentation connection is particularly relevant for menopausal women who may be dealing with significant life stressors alongside hormonal changes.

Thyroid Hormones and Pigmentation

Thyroid dysfunction becomes more common during menopause, and both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can affect skin pigmentation. Thyroid hormones influence melanocyte function, and imbalances can lead to either hyperpigmentation or, less commonly, hypopigmentation.

Many women don’t realise their pigmentation issues may be connected to undiagnosed thyroid problems that emerged during menopause. If you’re experiencing other symptoms like unexplained weight changes, fatigue, hair loss, or temperature sensitivity alongside new pigmentation, requesting thyroid function tests is worthwhile.

Types of Hormone-Related Pigmentation

Hormonal changes during menopause can trigger several distinct types of pigmentation:

Melasma

Often called “the mask of pregnancy,” melasma is a form of hormonal hyperpigmentation that creates symmetrical brown or grey patches on the face, typically on the cheeks, forehead, upper lip, nose, and chin. Whilst melasma is most associated with pregnancy, it commonly develops or worsens during perimenopause and menopause.

Melasma appears to have a strong hormonal trigger - estrogen fluctuations, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy often exacerbate it. Sun exposure dramatically worsens melasma, which is why it’s particularly problematic for Australian women.

Melasma is notoriously stubborn and requires consistent, long-term treatment. However, understanding its hormonal nature helps explain why it appeared during menopause and guides practical treatment approaches.

Solar Lentigines (Age Spots) Worsened by Hormones

Whilst age spots are primarily caused by cumulative sun damage, hormonal changes during menopause make them significantly worse. The combination of decades of UV exposure and erratic hormone-stimulated melanin production creates the perfect storm for rapid age spot development.

Many women notice that age spots they’ve had for years suddenly darken during perimenopause, or that new spots appear at an alarming rate. This acceleration is directly related to hormonal changes affecting melanocyte behaviour.

Hormonal Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

When hormonal fluctuations increase skin sensitivity and reactivity, even minor inflammation - a small breakout, irritation from a product, or minor injury - can leave behind persistent dark marks. These post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation marks take much longer to fade in menopausal skin due to slower cell turnover.

The hormonal component means these marks may be darker and more persistent than PIH you experienced in your younger years, requiring targeted treatment rather than simply waiting for them to fade naturally.

Why Australian Women Are Particularly Vulnerable

If you’re an Australian woman experiencing hormone-related pigmentation during menopause, you face unique challenges that compound the hormonal impact:

Intense UV Exposure

Australia has some of the highest UV radiation levels globally. Decades of exposure to our harsh sun have damaged melanocytes, making them more reactive to hormonal triggers. When hormones fluctuate during menopause, these already-damaged cells go into overdrive, producing excessive pigmentation.

Even if you’ve been diligent about sun protection, the cumulative effect of growing up under the Australian sun means your melanocytes have sustained damage that makes them vulnerable to hormonal stimulation.

Climate and Lifestyle

Australia’s outdoor lifestyle means most women have significant sun exposure throughout their lives - beach trips, outdoor sports, gardening, walking dogs, watching children’s sporting events. This lifestyle exposes the skin to UV radiation over a lifetime, setting the stage for hormone-triggered pigmentation later in life.

Additionally, our climate’s heat can trigger hot flushes, and many women experiencing menopausal symptoms spend more time outdoors seeking relief - inadvertently exposing themselves to more UV radiation precisely when their skin is most vulnerable.

Cultural Attitudes Toward Sun Exposure

Previous generations of Australian women grew up before widespread sun-safety awareness, so many menopausal women today have significant accumulated sun damage. Combined with hormonal changes, this historical sun exposure manifests as extensive pigmentation during menopause.

The Science: How Hormones Actually Trigger Dark Spots

Understanding the cellular mechanisms helps clarify why hormonal changes cause pigmentation:

Estrogen Receptors on Melanocytes

Melanocytes - the cells that produce melanin - have oestrogen receptors on their surface. When estrogen binds to these receptors, it influences melanocyte activity. During perimenopause, when oestrogen levels fluctuate wildly rather than maintaining steady patterns, these receptors receive confusing signals that can trigger excessive melanin production.

Research shows that oestrogen can both stimulate and inhibit melanin production depending on concentration and other factors - this explains why some women experience darkening during oestrogen spikes, whilst others notice changes as oestrogen declines. Your individual melanocyte sensitivity determines your specific response.

Altered Tyrosinase Activity

Tyrosinase is the enzyme responsible for triggering melanin production. Hormonal changes during menopause can increase tyrosinase activity, particularly in women with pre-existing melanocyte damage from sun exposure. This means your body produces more melanin in response to triggers like UV exposure than it did when your hormones were balanced.

Inflammation and Melanin Production

Hormonal fluctuations trigger inflammatory responses throughout your body, including your skin. Inflammation stimulates melanocytes to produce melanin as a protective response. This is why chronic inflammation during menopause - whether from hot flushes, stress, poor sleep, or other factors - contributes to persistent pigmentation issues.

Compromised Skin Barrier

Declining estrogen weakens your skin’s protective barrier, making it more permeable and vulnerable to environmental damage. A compromised barrier means UV radiation, pollution, and other melanin triggers penetrate more deeply, stimulating greater pigmentation than would occur with an intact barrier.

Slower Cell Turnover

Hormonal changes dramatically slow your skin’s natural exfoliation process. Cell turnover, which occurred every 28 days in your 20s, may now take 45-60 days. This means pigmented cells linger on your skin’s surface much longer, making dark spots appear more persistent and intense.

Can Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Help or Worsen Pigmentation?

This is one of the most common questions women ask when considering HRT, and the answer is frustratingly complex: it depends.

HRT Can Help By:

• Stabilising erratic hormone levels that trigger melanin production
• Restoring oestrogen’s protective effects on skin barrier function
• Reducing inflammation and cortisol levels through symptom relief
• Improving sleep quality, which supports skin repair processes
• Enhancing overall skin health, making it more resilient

HRT Can Worsen Pigmentation By:

• Acting similarly to oral contraceptives, which are known as melasma triggers
• Introducing consistent estrogen levels that some women’s melanocytes interpret as stimulation
• Failing to address pre-existing melanocyte damage from sun exposure

The reality is that HRT affects pigmentation differently for each woman. Some experience significant improvement in dark spots after starting HRT, whilst others develop melasma or notice worsening pigmentation. Your individual melanocyte sensitivity, sun damage history, and HRT formulation all influence your response.

If you’re considering HRT and are concerned about pigmentation, discuss this with your healthcare provider. Transdermal oestrogen (patches or gel) may have a lower impact on pigmentation than oral formulations, and bioidentical hormones may behave differently from synthetic versions.

Regardless of whether you choose HRT, meticulous sun protection and targeted brightening treatments remain essential for managing hormone-related pigmentation.

Identifying Hormone-Related Dark Spots

How do you know if your dark spots are hormone-related versus simply age-related or sun-damage-related? Look for these telltale signs:

Timing Coincides with Hormonal Changes

Dark spots that appear or worsen during perimenopause, menopause, or after starting/stopping HRT are likely hormone-influenced. If you can trace the onset of significant pigmentation to hormonal transitions, there’s almost certainly a connection.

Symmetrical Distribution

Hormone-triggered melasma typically appears symmetrically on both sides of the face - if one cheek has a patch, the other cheek will have a similar patch. This bilateral symmetry suggests hormonal rather than simple UV-related pigmentation.

Location on Face

Hormonal pigmentation favours the central face - forehead, cheeks, nose, upper lip, and chin. These areas have higher concentrations of hormone receptors and are also highly sun-exposed, creating a perfect storm for hormone-triggered pigmentation.

Rapid Appearance or Darkening

If spots appear suddenly or darken dramatically over weeks or months rather than gradually over years, hormonal influence is likely. Pure sun damage typically develops slowly and steadily rather than in sudden bursts.

Seasonal Variation

Hormone-related pigmentation often darkens significantly during summer months when sun exposure increases, then lightens somewhat in winter - more dramatic seasonal variation than you’d expect with simple age spots.

Associated Menopausal Symptoms

If your pigmentation issues coincide with hot flushes, irregular periods, mood changes, sleep disruption, or other menopausal symptoms, the hormonal connection is clear.

Practical Solutions for Hormone-Related Pigmentation

Addressing hormone-triggered dark spots requires a comprehensive approach that considers the underlying hormonal influence whilst targeting pigmentation through multiple mechanisms.

Targeted Brightening Treatments

The Genova Skin Brightening Serum offers a scientifically formulated solution specifically designed for mature, hormonally challenged skin. Its triple-action formula addresses hormone-related pigmentation through multiple pathways:

Chromabright®: Melanin Production Control

This advanced ingredient inhibits tyrosinase - the enzyme that triggers melanin production - helping counteract hormonal signals that instruct your melanocytes to overproduce pigment. By intervening at this cellular level, Chromabright® addresses the root cause of hormone-triggered pigmentation rather than simply masking it.

Additionally, Chromabright® provides ongoing UV protection, helping prevent sun exposure that can dramatically worsen hormone-related melasma and age spots. For Australian women whose hormone-sensitive skin is constantly challenged by intense UV radiation, this dual protective and corrective action is invaluable.

Brighlette™: Marine-Derived Regulation

This naturally derived marine compound works through complex mechanisms to regulate melanin production and distribution. Clinical studies demonstrate impressive results: 12.7% reduction in dark spot contrast, 6.9% contraction of hyperpigmented areas, and up to 61.1% decrease in melanin pigment.

For hormone-related pigmentation that has proven resistant to other treatments, Brighlette™ offers genuine hope backed by documented scientific evidence. Its gentle nature makes it particularly suitable for the sensitive, reactive skin common during menopause.

Peelmoist™: Accelerated Cell Turnover

Since hormonal changes dramatically slow your skin’s natural exfoliation, accelerating cell turnover helps pigmented cells shed more quickly. Peelmoist™ uses a natural papain enzyme to gently remove surface cells whilst simultaneously providing deep, lasting hydration, addressing both the exfoliation and moisture needs of menopausal skin.

This dual action is particularly valuable because it tackles the slower cell turnover caused by hormonal changes without the harsh irritation that can worsen inflammation-triggered pigmentation.

The Importance of Formulation for Hormonal Skin

The Genova Skin Brightening Serum is specifically formulated for the unique challenges of hormonally-influenced mature skin. It’s dermatologically tested and proven gentle for sensitive, reactive complexions - crucial when hormonal fluctuations have made your skin unpredictable and prone to irritation.

The lightweight, non-irritating formula delivers potent brightening actives without causing the inflammation that can paradoxically worsen hormone-triggered pigmentation. With consistent twice-daily application, most women notice visible improvement within six weeks, with continued progressive lightening over months of use.

Comprehensive Sun Protection

This cannot be emphasised enough: hormone-related pigmentation is extraordinarily sun-sensitive. Even brief UV exposure can dramatically darken melasma or age spots, undermining weeks of treatment progress.

Daily SPF 50+ Application – Apply broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen every morning without exception, regardless of weather. Reapply every two hours when outdoors.

Physical Protection – Wide-brimmed hats, UV-protective clothing, sunglasses, and shade-seeking behaviour are essential, not optional.

Avoid Peak UV Hours – Plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon when UV radiation is less intense.

Stress Management

Since cortisol elevation worsens hormone-related pigmentation, stress management becomes a crucial component of treatment:

• Meditation or mindfulness practices to lower cortisol levels
• Regular exercise to improve hormonal balance and stress resilience
• Adequate sleep to support skin repair and hormonal regulation
• Professional support if menopausal symptoms are significantly impacting quality of life

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Reducing systemic inflammation helps minimise the inflammatory triggers that stimulate melanin production:

• Omega-3-rich foods like fatty fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds
• Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables in every colour
• Anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric and ginger
• Limit sugar and processed foods that promote inflammation

Consider Professional Evaluation

If your pigmentation is severe, rapidly worsening, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, consult both a dermatologist and your GP or gynaecologist. They can:

• Confirm the pigmentation is benign
• Evaluate your hormonal status comprehensively
• Discuss whether HRT or other hormonal interventions might help
• Rule out thyroid or other hormonal disorders
• Recommend complementary professional treatments

Lifestyle Strategies That Support Hormonal Balance

Beyond topical treatments, supporting overall hormonal health can reduce the severity of hormone-triggered pigmentation:

Nutrition for Hormonal Balance

Specific nutrients support healthy hormone metabolism:

• B vitamins, particularly B6 and B12, support hormone balance
• Vitamin D influences numerous hormone pathways—consider supplementation after testing
• Magnesium supports stress response and hormonal regulation
• Zinc supports skin health and hormonal balance
• Phytoestrogens from soy, flaxseeds, and legumes may help some women

Regular Exercise

Physical activity supports hormonal balance through multiple mechanisms: improving insulin sensitivity, reducing cortisol, supporting a healthy weight, and promoting better sleep. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity most days.

Quality Sleep

Prioritise sleep hygiene despite menopausal sleep disruptions. A cool bedroom, a consistent schedule, a relaxation routine, and addressing night sweats with cooling bedding all support better sleep quality, which, in turn, promotes hormonal balance and skin repair.

Limit Alcohol and Caffeine

Both can worsen hot flushes and disrupt hormonal balance. If you notice your pigmentation worsens with alcohol or caffeine consumption, consider reducing or eliminating them.

The Emotional Impact of Hormone-Related Pigmentation

Discovering dark spots appearing during an already challenging life transition can be emotionally devastating. Many women feel their body is betraying them - first with hot flushes, mood changes, and other menopausal symptoms, and now with visible skin changes that make them feel older and less confident.

These feelings are entirely valid and understandable. Your face is how you present yourself to the world, and changes in appearance during menopause can feel like losing control over your identity.

Understanding that hormones are driving these changes - that it’s not poor self-care or inevitable ageing - can provide some comfort. More importantly, knowing that effective treatments exist specifically for hormone-related pigmentation offers hope and a clear path forward.

Addressing hormone-triggered dark spots isn’t vanity - it’s self-care during a challenging life stage. You deserve to feel comfortable and confident in your skin, and taking steps to manage pigmentation is a powerful way to reclaim control over your appearance and wellbeing.

Prevention: Can You Stop Hormone-Related Dark Spots Before They Start?

If you’re in early perimenopause or haven’t yet developed significant pigmentation, prevention is absolutely possible:

Start Brightening Treatment Early

Starting with gentle, brightening serums like Genova Skin Brightening Serum before severe pigmentation develops can help regulate melanin production as your hormones begin to fluctuate. Prevention is easier than correction.

Maintain Strict Sun Protection

Start now if you haven’t already. Every day of diligent SPF 50+ use protects against the UV damage that compounds hormonal pigmentation triggers.

Support Hormonal Balance

Work with your healthcare provider to maintain optimal hormonal balance through nutrition, lifestyle, and, if appropriate, medical interventions. Stable hormones mean more stable melanin production.

Manage Stress Proactively

Develop stress management strategies before menopause becomes overwhelming. Lower baseline stress means lower cortisol impact on pigmentation.

Regular Skin Assessments

Monitor your skin for early signs of darkening so you can address it immediately rather than waiting until spots are severe and stubborn.

Your Path to Clearer, More Even Skin

The connection between hormone changes and dark spots is real, scientifically documented, and completely understandable when you know the underlying mechanisms. Your melanocytes are responding to hormonal signals - they’re doing exactly what hormones are instructing them to do, even though the result is frustrating and unwelcome.

The good news is that understanding this connection empowers you to address it effectively. You’re not helpless against hormone-triggered pigmentation - you have scientifically-backed solutions that work with your hormonal reality rather than ignoring it.

The Genova Skin Brightening Serum offers a comprehensive approach to hormone-related pigmentation, combining three potent ingredients - Chromabright®, Brighlette™, and Peelmoist™ - in a formulation specifically designed for the sensitive, reactive, hormonally-challenged skin of menopausal women.

Combined with diligent sun protection, stress management, and support for overall hormonal health, this targeted treatment can significantly improve even stubborn hormone-triggered dark spots.

Ready to understand and address your hormone-related pigmentation? Discover how Genova Skin Brightening Serum can help restore even, radiant skin during menopause. Crafted in Australia specifically for women navigating hormonal changes, this evidence-based formula provides the gentle yet effective brightening your sensitive skin needs.

Visit the Genova Skincare website to learn more about this transformative solution and take the first step towards reclaiming clear, confident skin during menopause and beyond. Your hormones may be fluctuating, but your skin clarity doesn’t have to suffer.

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5 Essential Questions About Hormones and Dark Spots

1. Will my hormone-related dark spots go away after menopause ends?

Unfortunately, hormone-related pigmentation doesn’t automatically disappear once you’re postmenopausal and your hormones have stabilised at lower levels. The dark spots that developed during perimenopause and menopause represent actual melanin deposits in your skin and changes to melanocyte behaviour that persist even after hormonal fluctuations cease. Think of it like this: the hormonal changes triggered the pigmentation, but the pigmentation itself is a lasting change that requires active treatment to reverse. However, you may notice that spots stop darkening or multiplying as rapidly once hormones stabilise, which is encouraging. The good news is that postmenopausal women can absolutely achieve significant improvement in hormone-related pigmentation with consistent use of targeted brightening treatments, such as Genova Skin Brightening Serum, combined with diligent sun protection. Many women find that once their hormones stabilise, their pigmentation becomes more responsive to treatment because they’re no longer fighting active hormonal triggers. The key is understanding that treatment must continue even after menopause to maintain results and prevent new pigmentation.

2. Should I avoid hormone replacement therapy if I’m prone to pigmentation?

This decision is highly individual and should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider, weighing the benefits of HRT for your overall quality of life against the potential risk of worsening pigmentation. HRT affects pigmentation differently for each woman - some experience improvement, others notice worsening melasma, and many see no change. If you’re already taking HRT and notice new or worsening pigmentation, discuss alternative formulations with your doctor rather than automatically discontinuing treatment. Transdermal estrogen (patches or gel) may have a lower impact on melasma than oral formulations, and adjusting the progesterone type or dose might help. If HRT significantly improves your menopausal symptoms and quality of life, the pigmentation side effects can often be managed successfully with diligent brightening treatments and sun protection. Conversely, if HRT isn’t essential for you and you’re prone to severe melasma, avoiding it may be reasonable. The decision should never be based solely on pigmentation concerns - your overall health, bone density, cardiovascular risk, and quality of life all matter more. Work with both your GP/gynaecologist and dermatologist to find the optimal approach for your individual situation.

3. How do I know if my dark spots are from hormones or just sun damage?

Distinguishing between hormone-related and sun-related pigmentation can be challenging because they often co-occur and influence each other. However, several clues suggest hormonal involvement: Timing - spots that appeared or dramatically worsened during perimenopause, pregnancy, or with oral contraceptive use are likely hormone-influenced. Location - hormonal melasma typically appears symmetrically on the central face (forehead, cheeks, nose, upper lip), whilst pure sun damage tends to be asymmetrical and appears on any sun-exposed area. Pattern - hormonal pigmentation often appears as larger, confluent patches rather than discrete spots. Behaviour - hormone-related pigmentation typically darkens dramatically with sun exposure and may show seasonal variation, whilst pure sun spots are more stable. The reality is that most menopausal women experience a combination: decades of sun damage to melanocytes make them hypersensitive to hormonal triggers, creating pigmentation that’s influenced by both factors. This is why comprehensive treatment addressing both causes - brightening actives to regulate melanin production plus strict sun protection - delivers the best results. If you’re unsure, a dermatologist can examine your pigmentation and provide a definitive diagnosis.

4. Can stress alone cause dark spots even without significant hormonal changes?

Yes, chronic stress can absolutely trigger pigmentation even in women who haven’t reached menopause or aren’t experiencing dramatic hormonal fluctuations. When you’re stressed, your body produces elevated cortisol, which triggers inflammatory responses throughout your body, including your skin. This inflammation stimulates melanocytes to produce melanin as a protective response. Additionally, chronic stress compromises your skin barrier function, making your skin more vulnerable to UV-induced pigmentation; disrupts sleep (which impairs skin repair); may trigger inflammatory skin conditions that leave hyperpigmentation; and can worsen existing hormonal imbalances. The stress-pigmentation connection becomes particularly problematic during menopause because you’re dealing with both hormonal stress (your body’s physical stress response to changing hormone levels) and life stress (the emotional and psychological challenges of this transition). This double stress burden can trigger or worsen pigmentation significantly. If you’ve noticed dark spots appearing during particularly stressful periods - work deadlines, family crises, caregiving responsibilities - stress is likely a major contributor. Addressing stress through meditation, exercise, adequate sleep, professional support, and relaxation practices isn’t just good for mental health - it’s essential for clear skin. Combining stress management with targeted brightening treatments provides the comprehensive approach needed for lasting improvement.

5. Are there any foods that can help balance hormones and reduce dark spots?

Whilst no food can magically eliminate hormone-related dark spots, dietary choices significantly influence hormonal balance and inflammation - both of which affect pigmentation. Foods that support hormonal health include Phytoestrogen-rich foods like organic soy products, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, and legumes, which contain plant compounds with mild estrogenic effects that may help balance declining oestrogen levels. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale support healthy oestrogen metabolism. Omega-3-rich foods like fatty fish, walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseeds reduce inflammation that triggers melanin production. Antioxidant-rich colourful fruits and vegetables provide vitamins C, E, and A that protect against oxidative stress and support skin health. Probiotic-rich fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi support gut health, which influences hormone metabolism. Foods to limit include sugar and refined carbohydrates that promote inflammation and insulin resistance, excessive alcohol that worsens hormonal imbalances and hot flushes, and caffeine, which can disrupt sleep and exacerbate menopausal symptoms.

Additionally, staying well-hydrated supports all cellular functions, including hormone production and skin cell turnover. Whilst dietary changes alone won’t eliminate existing pigmentation, they create an internal environment that supports clearer skin and enhances the effectiveness of topical treatments like Genova Skin Brightening Serum. Think of nutrition as foundational support that optimises your body’s response to targeted skincare.