If the skincare routine you’ve loved for years suddenly doesn’t seem to be doing what it used to, you're not going crazy and there actually might be a reason for that! As we go through change during perimenopause and menopause, your skin changes right along with it. You might notice your skin feeling drier or tighter than usual, your texture might look a little different, or you're noticing your skin just doesn’t have the same firmness and bounce it once did.
And while it is always frustrating when your skin starts switching things up on you, it doesn’t mean you need to throw out your entire routine and start from scratch. A few small, simple changes can make a big difference! The first step is really just understanding what’s going on with your skin and knowing what it might need more of during this stage of life.
So, What’s Actually Happening to Your Skin?
Perimenopause is the transition leading up to menopause, and during this time your hormone levels, especially estrogen start to fluctuate. We usually hear about hormones when talking about things like periods or mood changes, but they can totally affect your skin too.
Estrogen actually plays a huge part in keeping your skin hydrated and plump. Over time as estrogen levels eventually decrease, so will the collagen and elastin production within our skin. So as those levels start to change, the skin usually has a harder time holding onto moisture. This is why dry skin in perimenopause can suddenly become a thing! Even if you’ve never considered yourself a dry skin girl before, don't be surprised if you need to reach for a richer moisturizer!
When we start to notice these changes, it might feel like your skin is deciding to betray you forever. I'm here to remind you it's not! It’s just working through new changes happening underneath the surface, which means it might just need a new kind of support.
Why Does Skin Start Feeling Drier and Less Firm?
Okay, let’s talk collagen! But without turning this into a science class.
Collagen is one of the proteins that gives our skin that firm, healthy, bouncy look. The production of collagen naturally slows down as we age, and hormonal changes around menopause can make that loss much more noticeable. When we talk about menopause and collagen loss, though, we’re not talking about your collagen disappearing overnight. It happens slowly and gradually, which is why you might start noticing small changes over time rather than waking up one morning with completely different skin.
While our collagen is busy running away through our 50s, your skin may also start to produce less natural oil (sebum). Put those two losses together and you can end up with skin that feels drier, looks less plump, and shows texture more easily.
This is also why I wouldn’t immediately reach for the strongest exfoliant or most intense “anti-aging” product you can find. Sometimes the biggest thing your skin needs is actually more hydration, some extra barrier support, and consistency.
Your Routine Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated
When it comes to your skin care during menopause, you really don’t need a 12 step routine. In fact, if you feel your skin becoming drier or more sensitive, applying bunch of new products can make it so much harder to figure out what your skin actually likes.
Don't ever be ashamed to go back to the basics! If your face feels uncomfortable or tight immediately after cleansing, your cleanser could be the culprit that's stripping your skin. I wouldn't be surprised if menopause makes your everyday products feel different! Switching to something gentler like a cream cleanser can help you cleanse without stripping the necessary oils your skin is already struggling to hold onto.
Up next: hydration. If there was ever a time to give your moisturizer more attention, this is it! Hydrating ingredients can help introduce moisture back into the skin, while a rich moisturizer keeps it there and supports your skin barrier. If your favorite lightweight moisturizer you’ve used forever suddenly isn’t cutting it, there is absolutely nothing wrong with moving on to something new.
The good news is, you can still exfoliate! Mature skin can benefit from exfoliation because gently removing dead skin buildup will help with dullness and the appearance of uneven texture. Remember, you just don’t need to go crazy with it. More exfoliation does not automatically mean better skin, especially if your skin is already feeling dry or sensitive.
Using targeted ingredients like retinoids, peptides and antioxidants can also be helpful depending on your skin and its tolerance. Make sure to introduce stronger ingredients slowly and pay close attention to how your skin responds before using multiple new products all at once.
And yes, we still need to talk about SPF use. Your sunscreen doesn't get to retire once summer ends or when you hit menopause. If anything, your SPF usage becomes MORE important! Daily UV exposure can contribute to visible changes in pigmentation, texture, and elasticity; making sun protection the most important part of a skincare routine for someone experiencing menopause.
At-Home Devices Can Have a Place Too
This is where your routine can get a little more fun! Skincare products are great, but incorporating at-home treatments can be another awesome way to target some of the changes you may be noticing in your skin.
If texture and dullness are bothering you, at-home microdermabrasion can help exfoliate dead skin buildup to leave your skin looking more radiant and even in texture. The important thing when doing any at home treatment is to find a frequency that works for your skin. If your skin is becoming more sensitive through perimenopause or menopause, you may not tolerate treatments exactly the same way you used to. And that is completely fine!
LED could also be worked into your routine depending on the device and the type of light being used. LED treatments are generally non-invasive and use different wavelengths to target specific skin concerns. Always make sure to follow the directions for your specific device instead of assuming every LED treatment does the same thing!
And if firmness is one of your main concerns, at-home firming technologies can be another piece added into your routine. The PMD HIFU, or High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, is one technology designed to target layers deep beneath the skin’s surface to help improve the appearance of firmness over time. With consistent use, this device can take your routine beyond topical skincare by using targeted technology to work beneath the skin’s surface.
The keyword there is consistent! The HIFU device is not a magic wand you use once before an event and suddenly have completely different skin. Think of it as another tool in your firming routine for mature skin that rebuilds your skin layers from the "inside out".
Also, don't think you need to do everything in one night. If you’re using retinol, exfoliating, AND trying to incorporate devices, I would give your skin some breathing room. A good routine should support exactly what your skin needs. So ask yourself, what does my skin actually want?
So, What Results Can You Actually Expect at Home?
This might be one of the hardest parts of skincare during menopause: keeping your expectations realistic.
A good home routine can do a lot for skin experiencing change. It can help your skin feel more hydrated, support a healthy skin barrier, improve the appearance of texture and dullness, and help your complexion look more refreshed. Staying consistent with targeted products and devices can also help address the appearance other visible skin concerns!
What your skincare routine cannot do is stop the hormonal changes happening inside your body. And it doesn’t need to!
You also shouldn’t expect a single product, ingredient, or device to completely transform your skin overnight. Skin takes time. If you're constantly switching out products because you don’t see a big enough change after a few days, your routine won't ever have enough time to actually do its job.
Think of it in the long run. Consistently cleansing without stripping your skin, keeping things hydrated, wearing SPF, exfoliating appropriately, using targeted ingredients, and incorporating your devices regularly is going to get you much further than trying something new for a week and hoping for the best.
And remember that your skin is still your skin. Two women can be going through menopause at the exact same time and have completely different experiences. Pay attention to what your skin is telling you! If something is leaving you irritated, unusually dry, or uncomfortable, it's time to pull back. And if you notice any significant skin changes that go beyond the normal dryness, texture, or firmness concerns we’ve talked about, it’s always a good idea to check in with your dermatologist.
Give Your Skin What It Needs Now
If your skin is going to change throughout your life, shouldn't your skincare routine be allowed to change with it? The skincare regimen that worked perfectly for you ten years ago might not be what your skin needs today, and that’s okay!
During perimenopause and menopause, give your skin a little more love and support. Keep things hydrated, protect your skin barrier, exfoliate without overdoing it, wear your SPF, and choose devices that make sense for the concerns you’re actually wanting to change.
Most importantly, give your routine time to work!
Menopause skin care isn’t about trying to make your skin look exactly like it did in your twenties. It’s about understanding what your skin needs now and creating a routine that helps it look and feel it's best while being cared for through every stage.
