Building a Skincare Routine for Peri-Menopause

As women enter their 40s and 50s, skin that once seemed predictable may suddenly feel unfamiliar—dry, reactive, congested, or dull. This isn’t your imagination; it’s often the first visible sign of peri-menopause , a transitional stage where fluctuating hormones begin to alter the skin’s structure, function, and needs.

Creating a skincare routine during peri-menopause isn’t about overhauling everything—it’s about understanding what your skin is telling you and building a routine that is supportive, adaptive, and restorative.

• Dryness and Dehydration: Oestrogen drops reduce ceramide, hyaluronic acid, and oil production.

• Increased Sensitivity: A weakened skin barrier makes skin more reactive to products or environmental changes.

• Hormonal Breakouts: Androgens become more dominant, leading to acne—especially on the chin and jawline.

• Redness and Flushing: Vasomotor symptoms like hot flushes can cause facial redness and irritation.

• Dullness and Uneven Tone: Slower cell turnover and oxidative stress can leave skin looking flat and uneven.

Each of these signs is a signal—one that your skincare routine can (and should) respond to.

Peri-menopausal skin needs to retain as much moisture as possible . Foaming cleansers and exfoliating washes often do more harm than good.

Look for:

• Cream or lotion-based cleansers

• Ingredients like glycerin, oat extract, panthenol

Avoid:

• Harsh surfactants (like SLS)

• Strong acids or scrubs used daily

A hydrating mist preps the skin and allows deeper penetration of serums and moisturisers.

Look for:

• Rosewater

• Sodium PCA

• Aloe vera

• Hyaluronic acid (low molecular weight)

• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Supports barrier repair and reduces inflammation

• Ceramides : Strengthen skin structure

• Squalane or Hemp Seed Oil : Replenish essential lipids

• Azelaic Acid : Anti-inflammatory and unclogs pores

• Green Tea Extract : Regulates oil and soothes

• Gentle Salicylic Acid (in moderation)

• Vitamin C : Brightens and protects against oxidative stress

• Licorice Root or Arbutin : Addresses early pigmentation

• Peptides : Signal the skin to produce collagen

• Bakuchiol : A gentle, phyto-retinol alternative that supports firming and texture

The delicate under-eye area is often the first to show signs of hormonal change.

Look for:

• Caffeine (for puffiness)

• Peptides

• Hyaluronic acid

You may need to switch to a richer formula than what worked for you in your 30s.

Look for:

• Ceramides

• Shea butter

• Sea buckthorn oil

• Glycerin

Tip: Apply to damp skin to lock in hydration.

UV exposure accelerates collagen breakdown, pigmentation, and sensitivity. Peri-menopausal skin is more vulnerable to UV-triggered damage, even on cloudy days.

Use daily:

• SPF 30–50 with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide

• Fragrance-free formulas if your skin is reactive

Helps reduce dullness and improve absorption of serums.

Best options:

• Enzyme exfoliants (like papaya or pumpkin)

• Lactic acid (a hydrating AHA)

Avoid:

• Daily glycolic or aggressive scrubs, especially if skin is already inflamed

Choose based on your skin’s changing needs week to week.

• Calming: Centella asiatica , chamomile , calendula

• Hydrating: Hyaluronic acid , aloe , beta-glucan

Your skincare products can only do so much if your internal health isn’t being supported. During peri-menopause, skin responds best when internal and external care work together:

• Stay hydrated and reduce alcohol/caffeine that can dry the skin

• Balance blood sugar to help with hormonal breakouts

• Manage stress —cortisol is inflammatory and slows healing

• Consider speaking to your doctor about hormone support if symptoms are severe

If your skin feels persistently inflamed , suddenly reactive , or you’re unsure which products are truly right for you, it may be time to book a Skin Discovery Session with us .

Our skin therapists are trained in menopause-related skin changes and can create a customised treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. This helps you avoid wasting money on trial-and-error products—and brings clarity and confidence back to your skincare routine.

Let’s take the guesswork out of your skin journey. 💛

Peri-menopause is a dynamic time—not just hormonally, but emotionally and physically. Your skin is not “failing you”—it’s simply asking for a new kind of support .

The right skincare routine during this stage doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional. Gentle, nourishing, and barrier-repairing ingredients—paired with sun protection and internal balance—are the foundation of healthy, glowing skin in your 40s and 50s and beyond.