The impact of irritant challenge on the skin barrier and myeloid-resident immune cells in women who are postmenopausal is modulated by hormone replacement therapy.

Background: Sex hormone changes during menopausal transition contribute to declining skin health. However, how menopause and its treatment by hormone replacement therapy (HRT) impact the skin barrier and immune system is unclear.

Objectives: To examine how menopause and HRT affect the skin barrier and immune cell composition in postmenopausal women following irritant challenge.