Five hormones most directly shape how women's skin ages: estradiol, cortisol, insulin, androgens (testosterone and DHEA-S), and thyroid hormone.
Estradiol — the scaffolding hormone. Directly supports collagen synthesis in dermal fibroblasts. Decline at menopause drives approximately 30% dermal collagen loss in the first five years (Brincat, 1983). Also supports skin hydration, wound healing, and barrier function (Verdier-Sévrain, 2006).
Cortisol — the stress hormone. Chronic elevation directly suppresses collagen synthesis and increases collagen breakdown. It also raises blood glucose, promotes insulin resistance, drives inflammation, and disrupts sleep — worsening every other aging pathway (Chrousos, 2009; Chen & Lyga, 2014).
Insulin — the metabolic gatekeeper. Elevated fasting insulin drives IGF-1 signaling, which stimulates sebum production, androgen activity, and adult acne. Chronic elevation is also the earliest measurable signal of metabolic strain years before HbA1c rises (Kraft, 1975; DiNicolantonio, 2017).
Androgens (testosterone, DHEA-S) — the sebum drivers. Directly stimulate sebum production and follicular hyperkeratinization. Excess drives adult hormonal acne, particularly on the jawline and chin. Often elevated in PCOS (Diamanti-Kandarakis, 2012).
Thyroid hormone — the metabolic thermostat. Both hyper- and hypothyroid states affect skin. Hypothyroidism produces dry, cool, thickened skin, hair thinning, slow wound healing. Hyperthyroidism produces warm, moist, smooth skin. TSH is the primary screening test.
The JenSkin panel measures estradiol and fasting insulin as part of the standard nine. Cortisol, androgens, and thyroid are add-on options for a fuller hormonal workup, depending on your specific pattern of concerns.