I’ll never forget the morning I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognise my skin.
It was about two years into perimenopause, and seemingly overnight, everything had changed. My skin looked dull and tired. My pores seemed larger. Fine lines I’d never noticed before were suddenly prominent. And no matter how much moisturiser I slathered on, my skin felt tight and dehydrated.
My tried-and-true skincare routine – the one that had worked for years – suddenly wasn’t working anymore.
If you’re experiencing this too, I want you to know: you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause dramatically affect your skin. But here’s the good news: with the right approach, you can have glowing, healthy skin at any age.
Let me share what actually works.
Understanding What’s Happening to Your Skin
Before we talk solutions, let’s talk about what’s actually happening. Knowledge is power, and understanding the “why” helps you address the root causes.
Decreased Collagen Production
Estrogen stimulates collagen production. As estrogen declines, we lose collagen at an accelerated rate – up to 30% in the first five years after menopause. Less collagen means less firmness and elasticity.
Reduced Oil Production
Your skin produces less sebum (natural oil), leading to dryness, tightness, and a compromised skin barrier. This is why your old moisturiser suddenly isn’t cutting it.
Thinning Skin
Skin literally becomes thinner and more fragile, making it more prone to damage and slower to heal.
Increased Sensitivity
Many women notice their skin becomes more reactive and sensitive during this time. Products that never bothered you before might suddenly cause irritation.
Hyperpigmentation
Age spots, sun damage, and uneven tone become more pronounced as cell turnover slows and melanin production becomes irregular.
Loss of Radiance
Slower cell turnover means dead skin cells accumulate on the surface, creating a dull, lackluster appearance.
The bottom line: Your skin has different needs now. And that’s okay. We just need to adjust our approach.
The Essential Ingredients for Menopausal Skin
These are the powerhouse ingredients that actually make a difference. Not every trendy ingredient – just the ones backed by science and proven results.
1. Retinol (The Gold Standard)
What it does: Stimulates collagen production, increases cell turnover, improves texture and tone, reduces fine lines
How to use it: Start with a low concentration (0.25-0.5%) 2-3x per week, gradually increasing frequency and strength as your skin adjusts. Always use at night.
My pick: Start with a gentle retinol serum. I use it 3-4x per week now, but it took months to build up to that.
2. Peptides
What they do: Signal your skin to produce more collagen, improve firmness and elasticity, support skin barrier
How to use them: Morning or evening, after cleansing and before moisturiser
My pick: Look for products with multiple peptide types (Matrixyl, Argireline, copper peptides)
3. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
What it does: Improves skin barrier function, reduces inflammation, minimises pores, evens skin tone, boosts hydration
How to use it: Morning and/or evening, plays well with most other ingredients
My pick: 5-10% concentration is ideal
4. Hyaluronic Acid
What it does: Holds up to 1000x its weight in water, plumps skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines
How to use it: Apply to damp skin, then seal with moisturiser. Morning and evening.
Pro tip: Apply it on slightly damp skin for maximum hydration, then immediately follow with moisturiser to lock it in.
5. Vitamin C
What it does: Brightens skin, evens tone, protects against environmental damage, stimulates collagen production
How to use it: Morning routine, before SPF. Store in a cool, dark place.
My pick: L-ascorbic acid is most effective but can be irritating (I couldn’t get on with it); try gentler derivatives like ascorbyl glucoside if you have sensitive skin.
6. SPF 50 (Non-Negotiable)
What it does: Prevents further damage, protects against skin cancer, prevents hyperpigmentation
How to use it: Every. Single. Day. Rain or shine. Reapply every 2 hours if you’re outside.
This is the single most important anti-aging step you can take.
My Morning Skincare Routine
This is what I do every single morning. It takes about 5-7 minutes.
Step 1: Gentle Cleanser
I use a creamy, hydrating cleanser-nothing stripping or foaming. Menopausal skin can’t handle harsh cleansers.
What I look for: Cream or oil-based, fragrance-free, pH-balanced
Step 2: Vitamin C Serum
3-4 drops on clean, dry skin. I pat it in gently and let it absorb for 30 seconds.
Why morning: Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection against environmental damage throughout the day.
Step 3: Hyaluronic Acid Serum
I apply this while my skin is still slightly damp from the vitamin C. This helps it penetrate and hold more moisture.
Application tip: Pat, don’t rub. Use gentle pressing motions.
Step 4: Eye Cream
A peptide-rich eye cream applied with my ring finger (gentlest pressure). I pat it around the orbital bone, never pulling or tugging.
What I look for: Peptides, caffeine (for puffiness), hyaluronic acid
Step 5: Moisturiser
A lightweight but hydrating moisturiser with ceramides to support my skin barrier.
What I look for: Ceramides, niacinamide, lightweight texture that absorbs quickly
Step 6: SPF 50
The final and most important step. I use a mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast.
Amount: A two-fingers-sized amount for face and neck. Don’t forget your neck, chest, and hands!
My Evening Skincare Routine
This is where the real magic happens. Nighttime is when your skin repairs and regenerates.
Step 1: Double Cleanse
First cleanse: Oil-based cleanser or micellar water to remove makeup, sunscreen, and the day’s grime
Second cleanse: Gentle cream cleanser to actually clean the skin
Why double cleanse: Sunscreen and makeup create a barrier that one cleanse can’t fully remove. You need clean skin for your actives to work.
Step 2: Toner (Optional)
I use n0n-active hydrating toners to prep my skin and add an extra layer of hydration.
Step 3: Treatment Serum
3-4 nights per week: Retinol serum (I built up to this slowly!)
Other nights: Peptide serum or niacinamide serum
Retinol nights: I wait 20 minutes after cleansing (on completely dry skin) before applying retinol, then wait another 10 minutes before moisturiser. This minimises irritation.
Step 4: Eye Cream
Same peptide-rich eye cream as morning, or a richer formula if my under-eyes are particularly dry.
Step 5: Moisturiser
A richer, more emollient night cream with ceramides and peptides. This is not the time to go light.
What I look for: Rich texture, ceramides, peptides, squalane or other nourishing oils
Step 6: Face Oil (Optional)
On very dry nights or in winter, I add 2-3 drops of face oil on top of my moisturiser to seal everything in.
My favorites: Rosehip oil, squalane, or a nourishing face oil blend
Weekly Treatments
1-2x Per Week: Gentle Exfoliation
I use a chemical exfoliant (AHA or BHA) to remove dead skin cells and boost radiance.
My pick: Lactic acid (gentler) or glycolic acid (stronger). Start with lactic acid if you’re new to exfoliation.
When: Evening, on non-retinol nights
Important: Don’t over-exfoliate. Mature skin is more fragile. Once or twice a week is plenty.
1x Per Week: Hydrating Mask
A deeply hydrating sheet mask or cream mask to give my skin an extra moisture boost.
When: Sunday evening, my self-care ritual
What I look for: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, soothing ingredients like centella
Monthly: Professional Treatment (If Budget Allows)
I would love to say I get a professional facial or treatment every 4-6 weeks, but if I’m honest it hardly ever happens. But, in an ideal world, this might be:
- Hydrafacial
- Microneedling (amazing for collagen production)
- LED light therapy
- Professional chemical peel
Is it necessary? No. But it’s a nice boost and a little me-time.
Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
Mistake #1: Over-Exfoliating
In my quest for glowing skin, I was exfoliating daily. This damaged my skin barrier and made everything worse.
The fix: Gentle chemical exfoliation 1-2x per week max. No harsh physical scrubs.
Mistake #2: Skipping SPF on Cloudy Days
UV rays penetrate clouds. I was undoing all my nighttime work by not protecting my skin during the day.
The fix: SPF 50 every single day, no exceptions.
Mistake #3: Using Too Many Actives at Once
I wanted results fast, so I layered retinol, vitamin C, AHAs, and BHAs all at once. My skin freaked out.
The fix: Introduce one active at a time. Give your skin 4-6 weeks to adjust before adding another.
Mistake #4: Not Giving Products Time to Work
Because of the nature of my job (trying new products to review) I’d try something for two weeks, see no results, and move on to the next thing.
The fix: Give products at least 8-12 weeks to work. Skincare is a marathon, not a sprint.
Mistake #5: Ignoring My Neck, Chest and Hands
I was diligently caring for my face but neglecting my neck, décolletage and hands. They show age just as much!
The fix: Everything I put on my face goes on my neck, chest and hands too.
Budget
You don’t need to spend a fortune to have great skin.
What’s actually worth the splurge? Vitamin C and retinol. These are where quality really matters. Everything else, you can find excellent drugstore options.
What Results to Expect (And When)
Week 1-2:
Your skin might purge (especially with retinol). You might experience some dryness or irritation. This is normal. Push through (but back off if irritation is severe).
Week 4-6:
Your skin will start feeling more hydrated and plump. You’ll notice improved texture.
Week 8-12:
You’ll see visible improvements in tone, texture, and radiance. Fine lines will be less noticeable. Your skin will look healthier overall.
Month 6+:
This is when the real magic happens. Consistent use of retinol and other actives will show significant improvements in firmness, tone, and overall skin quality.
The key is consistency. Skincare is a long game.
My Skin Now vs. Two Years Ago
Two years ago, my skin was dull, dehydrated, and showing every sign of hormonal changes. I felt like I’d aged overnight.
Today, at 57, my skin is the best it’s been in years. It’s hydrated, glowing, and resilient. I still have fine lines (I’ve earned them!), but my skin looks healthy and vibrant. I get compliments on my skin regularly.
The difference? A consistent, strategic routine with proven ingredients. Not a miracle product. Not expensive treatments. Just consistency and the right approach.
Your Action Plan
This week:
- Assess your current routine – what’s working, what’s not?
- Add SPF 50 if you’re not already using it daily
- Choose ONE active ingredient to introduce (I recommend starting with niacinamide – it’s gentle and effective)
This month:
- Establish a consistent morning and evening routine
- Take before photos (you’ll want them later!)
- Give your products time to work – no switching things up yet
This quarter:
- Introduce retinol if you haven’t already (start slow!)
- Evaluate your results at the 12-week mark
- Adjust as needed based on your skin’s response
Remember: Great skin is the best makeup you’ll ever wear. And it’s never too late to start taking care of it.
What’s your biggest skincare struggle right now? Drop it in the comments and let’s troubleshoot together!
