Women’s Skin is Special

Welcome in

“Women are not small men.”
– Dr. Stacy Sims, exercise physiologist and women’s health pioneer

A quiet reminder before we begin:

There’s no single definition of what it means to be a woman.

But there are shared biological and emotional patterns that can shape how our skin responds.

This leaflet explores those patterns - not as rules, but as gentle reflections.

You might see yourself in some.
You might not in others.
But they’re all real.

What Makes Women Special - and How It May Show Up on Her Skin

Short insights, gently grounded in science.

Not for diagnosis - just for reflection.

Women have a more reactive immune system, which means faster healing - but it can also lead to inflammatory or autoimmune conditions that affect the skin.

• How it might show up: Flare-ups of eczema, rosacea, or skin symptoms related to immune shifts (like in lupus or thyroid conditions).

• What this tells us: Your skin isn’t betraying you. It’s responding with intensity. Calming your immune triggers can make a real difference.

Women have more nerve endings in their skin - which means they truly do feel more.

• How it might show up: Stinging from products, discomfort with fabrics, or awareness of subtle sensations.

• A gentle note: That awareness? It’s part of your strength - your skin is highly attuned.

The mental load many women carry doesn’t just live in the mind - it shows up on the skin.

• How it might show up: Breakouts, sensitivity, eczema, or dullness during burnout.

• Something to notice: Your skin can’t always tell the difference between emotional and physical stress. But it often softens when you do. Even a moment of pause - just one breath - can bring visible shifts.

Women’s hormones rise and fall through cycles, seasons, and life stages - and the skin responds in rhythm.

• How it might show up: Monthly acne, melasma during pregnancy, or dryness in menopause.

• A gentle note: This isn’t your body being unpredictable - it’s rhythm in motion. When you begin to understand it, you can work with your skin - and start noticing moments of balance.

Women have less collagen than men to begin with - and lose it more quickly with age.

• How it might show up: Thinner skin, fine lines, slower healing, or sagging.

• The whole picture: Collagen loss is part of the story - but so is nourishment, movement, sleep, and sun protection.

Connection supports women’s wellbeing - and the skin often reflects it.

• How it might show up: Calmer skin in times of connection; flares during isolation or emotional stress.

• A key takeaway: Being ‘held’ emotionally often shows up as glow. When you feel safe, your skin often settles - connection is a kind of care.

Gentle Support - One Step at a Time

Small shifts that meet you where you are.

If your immune system is dialled up…

• Choose fragrance-free, barrier-focused skincare

• Keep routines simple - especially during flare-ups

• Know when to rest - and when to check in with a skin therapist or GP for extra support

If your skin feels everything…

• Reduce friction: less exfoliation, fewer layers, softer fabrics

• Tune into what feels soothing - not just what’s trending

If you’re carrying more than your share…

• Even five minutes of stillness can be non-negotiable care.

• Ask: “Is this urgent, or just loud?”

• Let your skin signal when it’s time to slow down

If your hormones feel like a rollercoaster…

• Track patterns across your cycle

• Adjust your skincare seasonally and cyclically

• Seek support for hormonal transitions - they’re real

If you’re noticing changes with age…

• Focus on nourishment, not correction

• Protect your collagen with sleep, SPF, and protein-rich food

• Let softness become your strategy

If connection calms your nervous system…

• Call a friend

• Get outside

• Say yes to joy, even on the hard days

🔗 Trusted Resources: Women and Skin

These UK-based organisations offer support, information, and guidance on the many factors that make women’s skin health unique - from hormones to immunity, stress, life transitions, and beyond.

🌀 Hormones & Menopause

• NHS – Menopause Overview
  nhs.uk/conditions/menopause
  Comprehensive guidance on symptoms, stages, and treatments.

• Society for Endocrinology – You and Your Hormones
  www.yourhormones.info
  A trusted UK source explaining how hormones work - and how they influence everything from puberty to menopause, including effects on skin.

• Women’s Health Concern (British Menopause Society)
  womens-health-concern.org
  Evidence-based advice on menopause, HRT, and hormonal health.

• The Menopause Charity
  themenopausecharity.org
  Focused on raising awareness and empowering women through education.

• Wellbeing of Women
  wellbeingofwomen.org.uk
  Funds research and provides trusted information across all stages of women’s reproductive life - from menstruation to menopause.

• International Menopause Society
  imsociety.org
  Global perspective on women’s midlife health, based in the UK.

🧠 Mental Health & Stress

• Every Mind Matters (NHS)
  nhs.uk/every-mind-matters
  Practical tools for managing stress, anxiety, and emotional wellbeing.

• Mind UK
  mind.org.uk
  Support and advocacy for mental health across the UK.

• The Sleep Charity
  thesleepcharity.org.uk
  Support for sleep hygiene, insomnia, and stress-related sleep issues.

🤰 Pregnancy & Postnatal

• Tommy’s
  tommys.org
  Support for pregnancy loss, premature birth, and maternal health.

• NHS Start for Life
  nhs.uk/start-for-life
  Trusted guidance for pregnancy, birth, and baby care.

• Birth Trauma Association
  https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/
  Support for women who have experienced birth trauma.

🩺 Skin Health & Autoimmune Conditions

• British Association of Dermatologists
  bad.org.uk
  Evidence-based leaflets on a wide range of skin conditions.

• National Eczema Society
  eczema.org
  Support and information on eczema and skin barrier health.

• Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK (SRUK)
  sruk.co.uk
  Focused on autoimmune conditions that affect the skin and circulation.

• Psoriasis Association
  psoriasis-association.org.uk
  Information and support around psoriasis, including hormonal triggers.

🧠 Neurological Health (with hormonal relevance)

• Multiple Sclerosis Trust
  mstrust.org.uk
  Resources on MS and how hormonal shifts like menopause may affect symptoms.

Need Extra Support?

If your skin is changing in ways that feel unfamiliar, it’s okay to seek guidance.

You can reach out to:

• Your GP – for clinical advice or further investigation

• A qualified skin therapist, such as a Corneotherapist - trained in skin barrier care, for support rooted in skin health, not surface fixes

Your skin is personal. And so is your support.

A quiet reflection to end on.

Your skin is not just a surface - it’s part of your health, your hormones, your history, and your hopes.

It responds to cycles, stresses, seasons, and stories - because it’s part of you.

And as research reminds us:
"Women are not small men."
- Dr. Stacy Sims, Exercise Physiologist

There’s strength in understanding how your biology shapes your skin -
not as a flaw to fix, but as a rhythm to respect.

No need for perfection.
No need for pressure.
Just a quiet beginning: Listening gently to what your skin may be trying to say.

Disclaimer

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the information in this leaflet is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional advice.

Version: [April / 2025]

© 2025 Jacqui de Jager | The Skin Well™ & The Happy Skin Clinic®
All rights reserved. This leaflet is for personal use and education only. It may not be reproduced, distributed, or adapted without written permission.