Skin Needs Changes As We Age
As early as the mid-30s, subtle shifts begin — your skin doesn’t always “announce” perimenopause, but it feels the change. Maybe it feels more fatigued, less bouncy, more reactive. Over time, you may notice increased dryness, uneven tone or pigmentation, sensitivity or irritation, loss of firmness, fine lines or deeper wrinkles, thinning skin, and occasional hormonal breakouts or rosacea-type flare ups.
These visible changes are not just “aging” in the vague sense — they are the skin’s response to declining estrogen, changes in collagen/elastin production, weakened barrier function, reduced sebum and lipid production, and shifts in hydration dynamics.
Professional esthetic treatments (facials, peels, red light, microchanneling, etc.) can absolutely help manage these concerns — by stimulating collagen, calming inflammation, and restoring barrier health. But the biggest leverage lies in daily home care. The skin you live in 24/7 is built (or undermined) by your consistency in supportive, smart product choices.
Below is a guide to how to use specific homecare products to tackle the shifts you’re seeing (or want to prevent), plus product highlights to integrate into your regimen.
The Key Skin Challenges During Perimenopause & Menopause
Before diving into products, here’s a quick primer on the main skin changes you’re more likely to see, so you understand why you need certain actives.
| Skin Change | What’s Happening / Underlying Biology | What You’ll Notice | What You Need from Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dryness / Dehydration / Barrier dysfunction | Lower estrogen = reduced ceramides, lipids, sebum, hyaluronic acid, more transepidermal water loss (TEWL) | Tightness, flaking, dullness, itchiness | Humectants + barrier lipids + occlusives; avoid stripping cleansers |
| Collagen / Elastin Decline / Loss of Firmness | Collagen/elastin synthesis slows; dermal thinning; less structural support | Sagging, marionette lines, jowling, deeper folds | Peptides, growth factors, gentle stimulation, repair serums |
| Pigmentation / Uneven Tone / ‘Age Spots’ / Hormonal Spots | DNA damage accumulates; UV damage shows more; hormonal fluctuations trigger melanogenesis | Patches of discoloration, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation | Brightening actives (licorice, bearberry, vitamin C, mild exfoliation) |
| Sensitivity, Irritation, Reactivity | Thinner skin, impaired barrier, inflammation more easily triggered | Redness, stinging, flush response, rosacea flares | Barrier repair, calming/anti-inflammatory ingredients |
| Hormonal Breakouts / Acne / Congestion | Fluctuating androgens may stimulate sebum, clog follicles; but skin is less buffered | Occasional breakouts, clogged pores | Gentle exfoliation, balancing serums, anti-microbial support |
| Thinning / Fragility / Bruising | Dermal thinning, weaker vasculature, loss of subcutaneous fat | Skin may bruise more easily, feel “paper-thin” in spots | Strengthening, health-promoting, nourishing formulations |
Understanding why skin behaves differently in this life stage helps you choose products that aren’t just pretty — they are strategic.
How to Layer & Use Your Skincare
The following is a structured morning and evening skincare routine with product recommendations and the reasons behind each step. Consistency in your daily routine creates the foundation for real, lasting results. However, flexibility matters. Listening and adapting to your skin’s changing needs ensures you always stay in balance.
Morning Routine
- Cleanse gently
- You might start with Vitamin Veil Cleanser or Nourish Cream Cleanser if skin is very dry, or Amandola Milk Cleanser for a balance between cleansing and nourishment.
- If you want a light exfoliating cleanse (occasionally), use Micro-Exfoliating Honey Cleanser (1–3× per week) rather than harsh scrubs.
- Hydrating mist
- Use Blueberry & White Tea Hydrating Mist to deliver gentle antioxidants and hydration.
- If dealing with sensitivity or redness, Aloe & Calendula Calming Mist is a gentler option.
- When targeting pigmentation, Bearberry & Licorice Brightening Mist is perfect to apply before your serum to give a light “active spritz” layer.
- Serums
- Vitamin C Reversal Serum — powerful antioxidant + brightening support (to help with pigmentation and environmental stress).
- Cyto-Comm Serum or MeriStem Serum — for repair, collagen support, and strengthening.
- Myo-Cyte Plus Anti-Wrinkle Serum — for targeting fine lines, wrinkle areas.
- Chrono-Calm Serum — for modulating inflammation/reactivity.
- You don’t have to use all of them daily: rotate by skin concern/needs (repair + hydration + calmness/brightening).
- If your skin tolerates peptides + vitamin C together, that’s great, but if not, you can layer on alternate days.
- Moisturizer
- AquaPorin Hydrating Cream — water-binding, lightweight but rich enough for compromised skin.
- Aqua-Biotic Balancing Moisturizer — for barrier support + balance.
- Or Nighttime Repair (if your AM formula is light) — use in minimal amount in morning for extra barrier lipids if needed.
- Final defense
- Light Day Sunscreen — never skip. UV is one of the greatest accelerators of pigment, collagen loss, and aging in this stage.
- Or Circa-Shield — as an antioxidant + barrier boost “top coat” mineral sun and enviromental protection.
Evening Routine
- First cleanse (optional)
- If you wore makeup/sunscreen, start with Vitamin Veil Cleanser or Nourish Cream Cleanser to lift layers gently.
- Second cleanse
- Use Amandola Milk Cleanser on nights you need balance, or Micro-Exfoliating Honey Cleanser (1–3×/week) — help with cell turnover and mild resurfacing.
- Optional mist
- Apply Bearberry & Licorice Brightening Mist or Aloe & Calendula Calming Mist before actives, especially if skin is inflamed.
- Treatment serums
- Cyto-Comm Serum, MeriStem, Chrono-Calm, Phito-Pep 1.6, Revita-Cyte Complex — choose based on your skin’s needs.
- If focusing on repair, use Myo-Cyte Plus Anti-Wrinkle Serum at night to target deeper lines.
- Bright White Serum — use on nights when pigmentation is your priority (rotate with stronger repair nights).
- Support
- Apply Moisture on Demand — rich hydration, supportive lipid content to lock in your actives.
- And/or AquaPorin Hydrating Cream or Aqua-Biotic Balancing Moisturizer as final layer.
- If your layering allows, seal with Nighttime Repair (in small amount) to deliver regenerative lipids overnight.
- Occasional “booster nights”
- On nights when your skin is tired, reactive or flared, skip strong actives and go with Chrono-Calm + MeriStem for barrier support.
- Avoid stacking harsh actives back-to-back (e.g. brightening + strong peptidic + exfoliating) without rest.
This Approach Works
Barrier repair is crucial: Many menopausal/ perimenopausal concerns stem from barrier breakdown and increased TEWL. By restoring lipids, ceramides, and humectants, you help reinforce resilience.
Strategic antioxidants + brighteners (vitamin C, bearberry/licorice) help curb excess pigmentation and oxidative stress—especially valuable when skin is more vulnerable.
Peptides, growth factors, and repair serums (Cyto-Comm, MeriStem, Myo-Cyte) target collagen and dermal support, helping counter thinning and sagging.
Gentle exfoliation (via Micro-Honey cleanser) keeps surface texture smooth without overtaxing the skin’s repair system.
Daily sun protection + antioxidant “top coat” is non-negotiable; UVA/UVB damage cumulatively drives pigment, fine lines, and aging.
Rotating, listening to your skin: It’s better to underdo than overdo. Use calmer nights, scale back when reactive, and slowly introduce stronger combos.
Your skin is still your strongest asset – even during hormonal shifts
With thoughtful, consistent home care, the right cleansers, mists, serums, and barrier support, you can mitigate many of the changes perimenopause and menopause bring. Sure, professional facials and treatments help accelerate transformation, but the best results come when your daily routine backs your in-studio work.
Ready to build your personalized “skin plan for change” or schedule a skin consultation with me (in studio or virtually) use the Book Now tab on the bottom of the page. Let’s support your skin, whatever stage you’re in.
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