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Three middle-aged women smiling and walking together in downtown Springfield, Missouri, representing healthy skin during perimenopause and menopause.

How to care for your skin through menopause

Skin Changes During Perimenopause & Menopause – What’s Happening and How to Care for Your Skin

Perimenopause and menopause bring a whole new set of changes — and your skin is no exception. As hormone levels shift, skin can look and feel different than it did in your 20s or 30s. This can be frustrating, but it’s also an opportunity to fine-tune your skincare and treatments so you’re supporting your skin in the right way for this stage of life.

At Linde Esthetics & Wellness Studio, I’ve worked with many women navigating these changes, and I’m here to break down what’s happening, why it’s happening, and how we can help you feel confident in your skin again.

Why skin changes during perimenopause & menopause

Estrogen plays a big role in skin health. When levels start to drop, your skin notices. Here’s what’s common during this time:

  • Hyperpigmentation — Dark spots, age spots, or melasma can show up or worsen.
  • Dryness & thinning — Lower estrogen means your skin holds onto less moisture, and collagen production slows. This can lead to dryness, itching, and a thinner, less elastic texture.
  • Loss of firmness & fine lines — Collagen and elastin naturally decline with age, but menopause speeds up the process.
  • Increased sensitivity — Your skin may suddenly react to products or environmental factors that never used to bother you.
  • Adult acne — Hormonal shifts can trigger breakouts, even if you’ve never dealt with acne before.

How to care for your skin during this stage

1. Gentle, barrier-friendly cleansing

Skip harsh foaming washes and gritty scrubs. Instead, go for nourishing cleansers that remove impurities without stripping away natural oils.

2. Hydration is everything

Moisture loss is one of the biggest issues in menopause skin. Hyaluronic acid serums — especially those with niacinamide — help draw water into the skin and strengthen the barrier.

3. Support collagen production

Retinoids and peptides are your friends here. Peptide-rich formulas can help stimulate collagen, improve firmness, and soften fine lines — but start slowly to avoid irritation.

4. Protect with antioxidants

Daily antioxidant serums like Vitamin C help fight environmental stress and even out skin tone.

5. Lock in moisture

Choose rich, emollient moisturizers with ceramides, squalane, and hyaluronic acid to support the barrier and keep skin supple.

6. Sunscreen, every day

Thinning skin is more vulnerable to UV damage.

When Menopause Brings Breakouts

If your main concern is persistent breakouts — especially those deep, hormonal blemishes that like to set up camp along the jawline and chin — we’ll adapt your skincare plan to include Face Reality Skincare. This professional line is designed to clear acne without stripping or irritating already sensitive skin. Paired with a customized facial plan, we can tackle both the active breakouts and the dryness or sensitivity that often come along for the ride.

Beyond your products – lifestyle matters

The articles I reviewed, plus my own experience with clients, all point to the same truth: healthy skin is about more than what you put on it.

  • Stay hydrated — Water supports your skin’s natural functions.
  • Eat for skin health — Antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats (like omega-3s) can help.
  • Exercise regularly — Improves circulation and can reduce stress.
  • Sleep well — Skin repairs itself overnight, so rest is non-negotiable.
  • Manage stress — High cortisol can make skin issues worse.

How we can help at Linde Esthetics & Wellness Studio

We’ll work with your unique skin — not just your age — to create a treatment plan you’ll actually enjoy sticking to. Options include:

  • Customized facials for dryness, sensitivity, collagen support, or brightening.
  • Acne-focused facials with gentle but effective exfoliation and calming steps.
  • Red light therapy to support skin repair and reduce inflammation.
  • Vibroacoustic therapy for stress relief, which indirectly supports skin health.

Whether your skin is feeling tight and dry, breaking out, or just looking a little less firm than it used to, we can create a plan that supports you during this life stage.

Perimenopause and menopause are big transitions, but with the right care, your skin can still look and feel amazing. This isn’t about chasing the skin you had at 25 — it’s about loving the skin you’re in now and giving it exactly what it needs.