Skincare for Perimenopause & Menopause

"I've been using the same products for twenty years, and now suddenly everything irritates my skin. What's happening?"

If this sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone. Over the years, I've heard this concern from many women, and want you to know that what's happening is completely normal, and there are gentle, effective solutions that can help.

If you're going through perimenopause or menopause, you've probably noticed your skin changing in ways you didn’t expect. Maybe it feels drier, thinner, or more sensitive, and those fine lines are showing up more than they used to. You may even experience acne, or allergic reactions to ingredients that you've used for years.

Your skin is changing. And just like any other major life transition, it needs a little extra understanding and support your skin throughout this transition.

Let's look at what’s happening to your skin, and the best ingredients and routines to help balance, rejuvenate, and nourish.

What's Really Happening to Your Skin

During perimenopause and menopause, your estrogen levels begin to fluctuate, then gradually decline. This isn't just affecting your periods or sleep - it's having a major impact on your skin too.

Estrogen does important things for your skin. It helps maintain collagen production (keeping your skin firm and plump), supports your skin's natural thickness, and helps your skin hold onto moisture. It also keeps your natural oil production balanced and supports healthy blood flow to your skin.

When estrogen starts to decline, these things can happen:

Your skin becomes more sensitive. The protective barrier that you've had for decades starts to weaken, making you reactive to ingredients that you've used without problems for years.

Dryness becomes a real issue. Your skin simply doesn't produce as much natural oil as it used to, leaving it feeling tight, flaky, itchy, or uncomfortable.

Your skin gets thinner. Less collagen production means your skin becomes more delicate and prone to irritation.

Healing takes longer. Cell turnover slows down, so any irritation or damage takes more time to resolve.

You might develop new allergies and acne. It's common to suddenly become sensitive to ingredients you've been using forever - even natural ones. 

And, you can even start breaking out because hormonal fluctuations can trigger acne.

Why Even "Natural" Products Might Be Causing Issues

When other products stop working, many of us turn to "natural" alternatives. But, we're often frustrated to find that even these gentler options are causing reactions too.

That's because not all natural products are created equal, and many contain ingredients that can be problematic for hormonally sensitive skin.

The hidden culprits in "natural" products:

• Synthetic preservatives and fragrances (yes, even in natural lines!)
• Essential oils can cause reactions and irritations
• Formulations that aren't balanced
• High concentrations of alcohol (often used as a preservative in natural products) 
• Soap-heavy formulas that dry out and imbalance skin which is already out of balance
• Strong actives and ingredients that overwhelm reactive skin

The Ingredients That Often Become Problematic

If your skincare routine suddenly feels too harsh, here are some ingredients that commonly become troublesome during this time:

Active ingredients that might now be too strong:

• Traditional retinol (which can be very irritating to thinned, sensitive skin)
• AHA and BHA acids like glycolic and salicylic acid
• High concentrations of vitamin C
• Benzoyl peroxide
• Hyaluronic Acid (if a product is not formulated correctly, these can actually dry out your skin)

Ingredients to watch out for:

• Artificial fragrances (these are major triggers for sensitivities)
• Sulfates in cleansers (they strip away the natural oils your dry skin needs)
• Products with a lot of alcohol (they'll make dryness worse)
• Essential oils (even gentle ones like lavender)
• Cleansers (often too stripping)

These ingredients aren't inherently bad - they're just not right for your skin's current needs.

The Power of Plant-Based Alternatives

The good news is that once you understand what's happening, you can choose products that work with your skin instead of against it. Plants have been supporting women through life transitions for thousands of years, and modern research is validating what traditional herbalists have long known.

Bakuchiol has been a game-changer for so many of our customers. Clinical studies show it provides the same anti-aging benefits as retinol - improved skin texture, reduced fine lines, better elasticity - but without any of the irritation, restrictions, and side effects.

Phytoestrogen-rich plants like pomegranate, licorice root, sesame, and bakuchiol contain natural plant compounds that can provide gentle support for your skin as your natural estrogen declines. They're much milder than synthetic alternatives, but can still make a real difference.

Adaptogenic herbs help your skin cope with stress - and hormonal fluctuations are definitely a form of stress on your body.

Plant oils rich in ceramides - ingredients like jojoba, rosehip, and argan oil - contain lipids that are similar to what your skin produces naturally, helping to repair and strengthen that compromised barrier.

Creating a Gentle, Effective Routine

Here's a very simple daily routine that will support your changing skin:

Morning Care:

Gentle cleansing: Use plain water or one of our facial washes to remove impurities without stripping your skin. If your skin is feeling dry or extra sensitive, then water alone is often all that you need to cleanse your skin.

Balancing toner: I love our hydrosols for toning because they are extremely gentle, and they don't contain any ingredients known to irritate skin during perimenopause and menopause. No essential oils, alcohols, extracts, or preservatives. They are pure, and can be used to tone all skin types and ages. You can use any of the hydrosols from our line, but Rose, Frankincense, and Helichrysum are the best for perimenopausal and menopausal skincare.

Serum/Facial Oil: Look for nourishing and gentle plant oils to rejuvenate, moisturize, and protect your skin. Avoid anything with synthetic fragrances or high concentrations of active ingredients. It may also be best to use unscented options, as many women develop reactions to essential oils and fragrances during this time.

Sun protection: Mineral sunscreens tend to be gentler than chemical ones.

Evening Care:

Gentle cleansing: Same as morning, or double cleanse if you wear makeup (you can remove make-up with a carrier oil like Jojoba oil, then wash with pure water or our facial wash).

Balancing toner: Apply your hydrosol or toner to prepare your skin for treatment products.

Treatment serum: This is where bakuchiol really shines, and why our Bakuchiol Botanical Facial Serum is our top choice for mature skin. It's gentle enough for sensitive skin, but effective enough to address aging concerns.

Nourishing facial balm: Seal everything in and protect with our rich botanical facial balm.

Weekly treatments:

Instead of harsh scrubs or strong chemical peels, try:

• Gentle exfoliation with a natural sea sponge or cleansing grains
• Nourishing masks with ingredients like oats, honey, or gentle clays
• Facial steams with calming herbs like chamomile or lavender or our Botanical Delight Facial Steam (if you tolerate steams well)

What to Avoid (For Now)

While your skin is adjusting, it's helpful to avoid:

• Harsh active ingredients (traditional retinol, strong acids)
• Products with synthetic fragrances
• Foaming cleansers with sulfates
• Alcohol-based toners
• Essential oils
• Anything that stings or burns when you apply it

Remember, this might not be forever! Once your skin adjusts and your hormones stabilize, you may be able to reintroduce some ingredients. But for now, gentleness is key.

Finding Your New Routine

Start slowly. When you're trying new products, introduce them one at a time. Your sensitive skin needs time to adjust, and this approach helps you identify what's working.

Less is more. Resist the urge to pile on multiple products from various places. Your skin responds better to simple, gentle routines with high-quality ingredients.

Listen to your skin. Your needs might change from day to day based on hormonal fluctuations, stress, weather, or other factors. It's okay to adjust accordingly.

Be patient. Botanical ingredients work differently than synthetic ones - they support your skin's natural processes rather than forcing dramatic changes. Give new products at least 4-6 weeks to show their full benefits.

Trust the process. Finding the right routine takes time, but when you discover products that truly work with your changing skin, the results can be even better than what you had before.

Remember: this is a natural, normal part of life. Your skin is adapting, just like the rest of your body. With the right gentle, plant-based support, you can treat your skin with the extra support it needs during this transition.

We have a collection of products specifically designed for perimenopause and menopause!

This collection includes ingredients known to assist during this time plus contain anti-aging properties. You can shop the collection here