Female skin, male skin: what are the differences?

Under the influence of steroid hormones , namely theoestrogen and progesterone, hormones typically associated with females, and testosterone, a hormone typically associated with males, the structure of men's and women's skin differentiates during puberty. The following distinctions can be made.

The thickness of the skin.

The thickness of the epidermis is the first difference between male and female skin. For men, it tends to exceed 60 μm, while it rarely reaches 50 μm in women. Thus, a man's skin is approximately 20% thicker than that of a woman. This is largely due to the fact that the male dermis contains more collagen than the female dermis. This molecule of the extracellular matrix contributes to the mechanical properties of the skin, particularly its firmness.

As we age, collagen synthesis decreases, leading to skin thinning. In men, skin thickness reduces throughout life, by approximately 9% every 20 years. This process is initially slower in women, with a thinning rate of 3% every 20 years. However, after menopause, collagen loss accelerates and a decrease in skin density is observed at a rate of 20% every 20 years. Ultimately, men's skin is and remains thicker.

The typology of the skin.

Men's skin tends to be oilier than women's. Testosterone, which is 6 to 7 times more prevalent in men, targets receptors in the sebaceous glands. The activation of these receptors triggers a signalling pathway involved in the production of sebum. Sebum secretion is therefore hormone-dependent. Under the influence of a high amount of sebum, the pores dilate. The skin then appears oilier and is more prone to imperfections and colonisation by certain microorganisms. The areas of the face most affected by this phenomenon are the forehead, nose and chin, or the T-zone, where the most sebaceous glands are found. Thus, it is observed that men produce twice as much sebum as women.

Men's skin is generally less soft and smooth than that of women. The hormonal overproduction of testosterone (hyperandrogenism) in men during puberty results in excessive sebum production, promoting bacterial colonisation. Cutibacterium acnes, a bacterium notably involved in the development of acne, primarily feeds on the triglycerides present in sebum. By digesting them, it produces free fatty acids that exacerbate theinflammation of the sebaceous glands. Moreover, a significant production of sebum can cause the obstruction of skin pores and interfere with its natural desquamation. All these phenomena are conducive to the appearance ofblemishes such as blackheads or red spots.

Nevertheless, with age, this tendency towards an overproduction of sebum proves to be an advantage. Indeed, in adulthood, men suffer less from skin dryness than women. The sebum produced helps to nourish the hydrolipidic film on the surface of the epidermis. This protective veil prevents the skin from drying out and acts as a shield against all the external aggressions it may undergo: significant temperature variations, pollution, light rays, wind...

The characteristics of male skin present another advantage: the signs of skin ageing tend to appear later in men. Indeed, while the amount of oestrogen decreases over time in both men and women, a significant drop in their production is observed at the time of menopause. However, oestrogens are capable of stimulating fibroblasts, cells in the dermis that contribute to the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin. Found in the extracellular matrix, all three contribute to the well-being of the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a macromolecule that works by retaining water in the skin, while collagen and elastin provide tone and flexibility to the skin.

• MCVITIE E. & al. The impact of age and gender on skin thickness, skin collagen and density. The British Journal of Dermatology (1975).

• WONG J. & al. The dynamic anatomy and patterning of skin. Experimental Dermatology (2016).

• CHEN W. & et al. Sex hormones and acne. Clinics in Dermatology (2017).