An observational study in Skin Aging, Reproductive Aging and Menopause, sponsored by ChinaNorm. Completed at 1 site in China. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 60 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-05.
Sponsored by ChinaNorm · Observational
Primary Objective:
This study primarily aims to compare skin aging characteristics between women at different stages of reproductive aging in both sun-exposed and non-exposed areas, based on skin indicators collected during a single laboratory visit. Furthermore, through a 30-day at-home tracking period (for the late-stage and postmenopausal groups) or one menstrual cycle (for the early-stage and young group), we seek to analyze the temporal dynamics of changes in skin condition, mood, sleep quality, and menopausal hot flashes.
Secondary Objective:
The secondary objective is to examine differences in skin conditions across life stages by recruiting mother-daughter pairs (where the young group consists of the biological daughters of the late-stage and postmenopausal groups). The core focus is to leverage shared genetic backgrounds to explore how skin characteristics, particularly in different body areas, may change over time or in response to hormonal fluctuations. By comparing these characteristics across age groups, this study seeks to identify key variation patterns and their contributing factors, thereby laying the groundwork for further mechanistic investigations and practical applications.
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This study enrolled adult women categorized into four distinct groups based on their reproductive aging stage according to the STRAW+10 staging system: a Young Control Group (aged 18-25, biological daughters of participants in the older groups, with regular menstrual cycles), an Early Perimenopausal Group (aged 45-50, with a persistent change in menstrual cycle length >7 days), a Late Perimenopausal Group (aged 50-55, experiencing ≥2 consecutive cycles of ≥60 days or amenorrhea of ≥60 days), and a Postmenopausal Group (aged 55-60, with the last menstrual period occurring at least 12 months prior). All participants were recruited as mother-daughter pairs, where the young control group consisted of the biological daughters of participants in the late perimenopausal and postmenopausal groups .
Inclusion Criteria:
Early Perimenopausal Group：
Late Perimenopausal Group：
STRAW Stage -1 / Late Perimenopause: Experiencing ≥2 consecutive cycles with a length of ≥60 days, or the presence of ≥60 days of amenorrhea.
6) Postmenopausal Group：
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7）Young Control Group：
Regular menstrual cycle, with a cycle length ranging between 25-35 days. Exclusion Criteria
a) Current use of systemic hormone replacement therapy (HRT). b) Topical application of anti-aging products (e.g., retinoids, alpha/beta hydroxy acids) on the measurement areas within the past 3 months.
c) History of breast cancer or oophorectomy. 9） Young Control Group:
Clinical Assessment
This assessment involves a clinical evaluation of skin aging degree performed by dermatologists at the T1 time point. The evaluation is conducted according to the skin aging scales outlined in the "Human Skin Aging Evaluation Standard" . It targets both exposed areas (face, dorsum of hands) and non-exposed areas (inner side of the upper arm, outer upper hip region) to differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic aging factors. Specific skin lesions, such as epidermal/vascular proliferations, are assessed as separate individual items.
Time frame: The assessment is performed as a single evaluation at the T1 (baseline) laboratory visit .
Skin Wrinkle and Smoothness Assessment
This assessment quantitatively evaluates skin surface topography using a dedicated imaging system. The instrument captures high-resolution grayscale images of the skin's surface. The built-in Skin Evaluation Living Skin (SELS) software then analyzes the image to extract objective numerical values for key parameters. The primary indicators measured are: SEw (Surface Evaluation of Wrinkles), where a higher value indicates more pronounced wrinkles; and SEsm (Surface Evaluation of Smoothness), where a lower value indicates smoother skin.
Time frame: The assessment is conducted as a single measurement at the T1 (baseline) time point .
Skin Color Measurement with Colorimeter
This assessment quantitatively measures skin color using the Colorimeter probe. The instrument emits white LED light from a ring-shaped configuration to ensure even illumination of the skin surface. The light scatters upon contact, with some penetrating the skin and some being reflected. The probe captures the reflected light, and the raw data is corrected via a specialized color matrix to approximate standard values. The skin color is expressed in XYZ tristimulus values and converted into the standardized CIE Lab\* color space parameters. The L\* value represents lightness (brightness) on a black-white axis. The a\* value indicates the position on the red-green axis (often interpreted as erythema or red pigment), and the b\* value indicates the position on the blue-yellow axis (often associated with yellow pigment). Additionally, the Individual Typology Angle (ITA°) value is automatically calculated, where a higher ITA° value indicates lighter skin.
Time frame: The measurement is performed as a single assessment at the T1 (baseline) laboratory visit.
Skin Elasticity Measurement with Cutometer® MPA580
The Cutometer® MPA580 assesses skin mechanical properties based on the suction and stretch principle. It applies a controlled negative pressure to the skin, drawing it into the probe aperture. The depth of skin deformation is measured optically by the ratio of light emitted to light received within the probe. Key parameters extracted for this study include R2 (Gross Elasticity) and F4 (Firmness). The R2 value, representing the ratio of total retraction to total deformation, approaches 1 for highly elastic skin. The F4 value corresponds to the skin's firmness or resistance to the suction force; a lower F4 value indicates firmer, more resistant skin .
Time frame: The measurement is performed as a single assessment at the T1 (baseline) laboratory visit .
Skin Ultrasound Diagnostic System Ultrascan UC22
The Ultrascan UC22 is a high-frequency ultrasound imaging system used for non-invasive assessment of skin microstructure. It operates by emitting a 22 MHz ultrasound signal into the skin; the echoes reflected from internal skin structures are captured and digitally processed to generate high-resolution, cross-sectional images. This allows for the in vivo measurement of key parameters related to skin aging, primarily skin thickness and skin density (which correlates with collagen density and tissue structure). This tool is particularly valuable for objectively evaluating intrinsic skin aging and the efficacy of cosmetic interventions in research settings.
Time frame: The measurement is performed as a single assessment at the T1 (baseline) laboratory visit.
Skin Moisture Loss Meter Vapometer
he Vapometer is a portable device designed to measure Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL), a key indicator of the skin barrier's functional integrity. Its operation is based on the closed-chamber principle. The core of the instrument is a highly sensitive humidity sensor located within a cylindrical measurement chamber. During measurement, this chamber is sealed against the skin surface, creating a microenvironment protected from ambient air currents. The sensor monitors the increase in relative humidity (RH) inside the chamber caused by the evaporation of water from the skin. The TEWL value, expressed in grams per square meter per hour (g/m²h), is automatically calculated from this rate of humidity increase . This method is particularly suitable for detecting changes in skin water loss and is widely used in dermatological research and cosmetic efficacy evaluations.
Time frame: The measurement is performed as a single assessment at the T1 (baseline) laboratory visit .
Skin Hemoglobin Measurement with Mexameter® MX18
The Mexameter® MX18 is a specialized probe that quantitatively assesses skin color by measuring the two primary chromophores: melanin and hemoglobin. It operates on the principle of light absorption and reflection.
Time frame: The assessment is performed as a single measurement at the T1 (baseline) laboratory visit .
Intelligent Skin Analyzer Skinmeter
The Skinmeter is a portable device designed for the non-invasive assessment of key skin physiological parameters. For the purpose of this study, the primary focus of the measurement is on the skin hydration (moisture) parameter.
Time frame: The measurement is performed at three designated time points during the study: T1( Day1),T2(Day 15), and T3(Day 30).
Skin Sebum Measurement with Sebum-Test Paper
This method quantitatively assesses skin sebum (oil) content using a specialized oil-absorbent test paper and subsequent image analysis.
Time frame: The measurement is performed at three designated time points during the study: T1( Day1),T2(Day 15), and T3(Day 30).
Sleep Duration Recording
This component utilizes the smart band monitoring algorithm to objectively record participants' sleep patterns. The algorithm employs a multi-modal approach, integrating data from accelerometers (to monitor body movement) and photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors (to monitor heart rate and heart rate variability) . By analyzing the correlation between physiological signals such as body movement, heart rate, and their variability with sleep states, it constructs a fusion algorithm model to accurately identify sleep stages and calculate total sleep duration . This non-invasive method allows for convenient, at-home sleep monitoring over extended periods.
Time frame: Sleep data is collected continuously throughout the entire tracking period of the study.Day1 to Day 30.
BMI
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a widely used international standard for assessing body weight and health status. It is a numerical value calculated from an individual's weight and height.
Time frame: BMI is measured during the baseline laboratory visit.
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a self-rated questionnaire widely used to assess subjective sleep quality over a specified period.
Time frame: The PSQI questionnaire will be administered at three designated time points during the study: Day1, Day15, and Day30. At each assessment, participants will be asked to recall and report on their sleep quality and disturbances over the past 1 week .
Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) is a self-report questionnaire utilized for screening and assessing the severity of generalized anxiety disorder. As a component of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) series, it consists of 7 items that inquire about the frequency of core anxiety symptoms-such as feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge, and being unable to control worrying-over a specified period. Respondents rate each item on a 4-point scale. The total score (ranging from 0 to 21) helps categorize anxiety severity, facilitating initial assessment and monitoring of symptoms.
Time frame: he questionnaire is administered at three designated time points during the study: T1(Day1), T2(Day15), and T3(Day30). At each assessment, participants are asked to recall and report on their experiences over the past two weeks .
Patient Health Questionnaire-8 Items (PHQ-8)
The Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) is a standardized self-report instrument widely used to screen for and measure the severity of depressive symptoms . It consists of 8 items that correspond to the diagnostic criteria for depressive disorders. Respondents rate the frequency of each symptom over a specified recall period on a 4-point scale (0 to 3). The total score, ranging from 0 to 24, helps categorize depressive severity, from none to severe . It is a reliable and valid tool for use in both clinical and research settings.
Time frame: The questionnaire is administered at three specific time points during the study: T1 (Day1), T2(Day15), and T3(Day30). At each assessment, participants are asked to report on their experiences over the past two weeks .
Assessment of Hot Flash Frequency and Impact on Daily Life
This questionnaire is designed to assess the frequency and subjective impact of hot flashes (also known as vasomotor symptoms) on an individual's daily life. The instrument draws on core concepts from established tools, including the Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) and the Hot Flush Rating Scale (HFRS). It evaluates two primary dimensions: 1) the frequency of hot flash episodes over a specified period, and 2) the degree of interference these symptoms cause to various aspects of daily living, such as work, mood, sleep, and social activities. The aim is to provide a quantitative and qualitative measure of the burden of hot flashes
Time frame: This questionnaire is to be completed daily throughout the testing period. Participants are asked to recall and report on their hot flash experiences over the past 24 hours.From Day1 to Day30.
Ultraviolet (UV) Exposure Questionnaire
This component quantitatively evaluates participants' real-life exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and their photoprotection practices over a specified period. It encompasses key dimensions such as: 1. Sun Protection Behaviors: Frequency of use and types of physical protection (e.g., wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved clothing) and sunscreen (including Sun Protection Factor, or SPF). 2. Outdoor Activity Patterns: Time spent outdoors for both occupational and recreational activities. The aim is to estimate individual UV exposure dose and identify potential risk factors for skin damage.
Time frame: The questionnaire assesses UV exposure behaviors and sun protection habits over the past 1 month and is administered at the T1 (baseline) laboratory visit.
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