The Menopause "Cliff" Headline: A Calm Look, and What It Means for Your Skin

If you've opened the news this week, you may have seen the headline: menopause might not be a gentle slope after all, but a "cliff". And if your skin seemed to change almost overnight in perimenopause, you may have read it and thought, well, that explains a lot.

Before that word settles in and starts to worry you, let's take a calm look at what was actually reported, what Australian experts said about it, and what it means for the way you care for your skin.

What the new study found

As the ABC reported, a new study published in Nature Medicine analysed more than 300 million laboratory tests from more than one million women in the United States and Israel, collected between 1999 and 2024. The researchers, led by Professor Uri Alon at Israel's Weizmann Institute, reported "abrupt, step-like changes" around a woman's final period, in areas like bone health, liver and kidney function, blood chemistry and blood fats.

That's a big, attention-grabbing finding, and it has been picked up by news outlets around the world.

Why Australian experts aren't convinced

The same ABC article spoke to Australian experts who urged caution. Professor Martha Hickey, head of menopause services at The Women's Hospital Victoria, described the "cliff-like" claim as "unnecessarily alarming" for women, and pointed out that "physiological cliff is not a scientific or medical term." Sydney GP Dr Elina Safro, from the Australasian Menopause Society, said her reading was that the cliff theory is "not plausible".

They noted the study looked back over existing records and relied on women's own reports of when their last period was. Earlier long-running research has suggested these changes happen more gradually, over about three years. All four experts in the article, including the study's lead researcher, agreed more research is needed.

So if you were bracing for a cliff, take a breath. The science is still being worked out.

The part worth holding on to

University of Melbourne endocrinologist Professor Ada Cheung said something in that article we'd love every woman in perimenopause to hear: "Your body goes through real, measurable changes, and that's not 'in your head.'"

The experts also highlighted that the study saw change starting around 15 years before menopause, which is earlier than previous research suggested. Professor Cheung recommended talking to your GP in your 40s about your symptoms and your bone and heart health. That's good advice, and it's a conversation for you and your doctor.

What this means for your skin

This study wasn't about skin, so we won't pretend it tells us anything new about your face. But it does echo what so many women tell us: "My skin just feels tight and dry lately, and nothing I used to use works anymore."

Whether your changes crept in slowly or seemed to arrive all at once, the feeling is real. Your skin didn't fail you. It changed. And when skin changes, it makes sense for your routine to change with it.

1. Notice how your skin feels, not just how it looks

Tightness after cleansing, make-up that sits differently, a dull or flat look, or skin that suddenly feels reactive are all worth paying attention to. They're cues to go gentler, not harder.

2. Cleanse so skin feels comfortable, not stripped

If your face feels tight straight after washing, try a softer cleanse. Our No. 06 Melt & Glow Cleansing Balm melts into an oil and leaves skin feeling comfortable.

3. Layer hydration, then nourish

Changing skin often loves a few simple layers. Our glow steps go No. 03 Glow Mist, then No. 02 Dew Drops, then No. 01 Rewind Elixir at night: one pump, face and neck. Skin feels hydrated, nourished and soft, with no oily feel.

4. Keep it simple

When skin feels unpredictable, the instinct is to buy more. Usually it's better to pare back to a few products you trust and introduce anything new one at a time, with a patch test first.

5. Sunscreen, every day

We're heading into Queensland's high-UV months. Cancer Council Queensland recommends sun protection whenever the UV is 3 or above, using SPF50+ and reapplying every two hours.

When to talk to your doctor

Please see your GP about any symptoms that are bothering you, and about any skin changes that worry you, such as persistent itching, rashes or skin that won't settle. You deserve real answers.

The bottom line

A scary headline doesn't change your skin, and "cliff" isn't the last word on menopause. What we do know is that perimenopause brings real changes, and you're allowed to adjust your routine to match. Strong barrier. Healthy skin. Your glow starts here.

Not sure where to start? Take our skin quiz, or begin with The Glowe on the Go, our three glow steps in travel sizes.

This article is general information only and isn't medical advice. Please speak to your GP or a dermatologist about your individual needs.