How to Care for Your Skin During Perimenopause and Menopause

Perimenopause and menopause are transformative stages in a woman’s life, bringing unique changes to the body—and the skin. From dryness and fine lines to thinning and sensitivity, these hormonal shifts create new skincare needs. In this article, we explore what happens to your skin during this time, the key supporting ingredients to look for, and how minimalist, hydroxytyrosol-based products can help you maintain healthy, radiant skin.

What Is Perimenopause and Menopause?

Perimenopause and menopause are natural transitions in every woman’s life, yet they’re often shrouded in myths and misunderstandings, and medical professionals lack training on either. Menopause begins when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period—typically around age 51 in the U.S. Afterward, you’re considered postmenopausal, though hormonal changes can continue to impact your body and skin for years.

Perimenopause, the lead-up to menopause, starts in your 40s (sometimes as early as your mid-30s) and can last several months to over a decade. During this time, your estrogen levels fluctuate, leading to symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, brain fog, and insomnia. Other surprising symptoms include joint pain, dry eyes, thinning skin, hair loss, frequent UTIs, and anxiety (you can find all reported 50+ symptoms here). Many women describe perimenopause as “not feeling like myself.”

Each year, around 1.3 million women in the U.S. enter menopause, and by 2025, over 1.1 billion women worldwide will be postmenopausal. These transitions may feel daunting, but understanding their impact—including on your skin—can help you navigate them with confidence. 

What Is Estrogen?

Estrogen is a hormone essential for maintaining overall health and various body systems. Produced primarily in the ovaries, it regulates everything from the menstrual cycle to bone density, heart health, genitourinary health, and brain function. It also plays a critical role in skin health, helping to keep it firm, hydrated, and resilient by supporting collagen production and retaining moisture.

During perimenopause, estrogen levels begin to fluctuate unpredictably, leading to many of the symptoms associated with this transition. By the time menopause occurs, estrogen production drops significantly, affecting various systems in the body. This decrease increases the risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular issues, and visible changes in the skin.

How Your Skin Changes in Your 40s and 50s

What happens to your skin in your 40s and 50s as you move through perimenopause and menopause? 

Your 40s: The Subtle Shifts Begin

As you move through your 40s, your skin begins to reflect subtle yet significant shifts. By this decade, collagen production—responsible for keeping your skin firm and elastic—has already been declining by about 1% per year since your mid-20s. Now, that loss starts to become more noticeable, with up to 20% of collagen disappearing over the course of your 40s. You might notice fine lines and wrinkles forming, especially around your eyes and mouth, as well as a general loss of plumpness.

Dryness often becomes more pronounced during this time. Hormonal changes reduce the skin’s natural oil production, leaving it feeling tight or flaky. UV damage accumulated over the years may also begin to surface as dark spots or uneven pigmentation. And just when you thought breakouts were a thing of the past, hormonal fluctuations can trigger adult acne, making your skin feel like it’s going through a “reverse puberty.”

Your 50s: The Big Changes 

By the time you reach your 50s, the changes accelerate. Menopause brings a sharp drop in estrogen levels, which has a cascading effect on your skin. Up to 30% of your collagen may be lost within the first five years, leaving your skin thinner, more fragile, and less elastic. Wrinkles may deepen, and you might notice hollowed cheeks or sagging along the jawline due to a loss of volume. Slower cell turnover contributes to a dull, uneven complexion, while the skin’s protective barrier weakens, making it more prone to irritation and sensitivity.

These decades are a time of transformation, but they are also an opportunity to embrace a skincare routine that supports your skin’s evolving needs.

What Skincare Ingredients to Look For 

Your skin during perimenopause and menopause needs products that hydrate, support, and protect. As hormones fluctuate and your skin’s needs change, your routine needs to work harder. So, what skincare ingredients to look for? 

• Hydrators: Hormonal changes impact your skin’s moisture levels, leaving it feeling dry and tight. Hydrators like hyaluronic acid and glycerin draw water into the skin and plump it up for a fresh, dewy look. 
• Ceramides: Ceramides strengthen your skin barrier, locking in hydration and protecting against irritants.
• Antioxidants: Antioxidants protect your skin from damage caused by stress, pollution, and UV exposure. Hydroxytyrosol, derived from olives, is a gentle yet powerful antioxidant—ideal for sensitive or mature skin. Hydroxytyrosol benefits include protecting skin from free radicals, calming inflammation, and moisturizing the skin barrier.
• Niacinamide: Soothes irritation, evens out skin tone, and strengthens skin’s resilience. 
• Peptides: Support collagen and elastin production, improving firmness over time.
• Retinol: Smoothes wrinkles and boosts cell turnover. 

How to Adapt Your Skincare Routine 

The right routine can help you navigate this new chapter with confidence, keeping your skin healthy, hydrated, and radiant. 

Layer Hydration

Hydration is key. Swap foaming or harsh cleansers for gentler oil- or cream-based ones that cleanse without stripping the skin. And as cell turnover slows down and pores enlarge, you may discover that you need to try a more thorough skin cleansing regimen, such as double cleansing. 

Make sure that every step of your routine provides hydration and experiment with layering moisturizing products. Layer a hydrating mist (like Beauty Thinkers AQVAM SPA Hydrating Mist), follow with a ceramide-rich moisturizer (such as Hydrator 3 Barrier Support), and seal in moisture with a nourishing face oil like Antioxidant Boost Facial Oil. 

Protect

Did you know that UV damage contributes to skin thinning, and hormonal shifts can make your skin more prone to pigmentation? Wearing sunscreen daily, whatever the season or weather, is the best way to protect your skin from UV radiation and further sun damage. 

Antioxidant-rich products, like those with hydroxytyrosol, add extra protection against environmental stress. Hydroxytyrosol is a powerful olive-derived antioxidant that is as effective yet more gentle than vitamin C. 

Support and Simplify

A minimalist routine reduces the risk of irritation. Focus on quality over quantity, using potent, clinically proven ingredients that won’t overload or trigger your increasingly sensitive skin. 

How Hydroxytyrosol-Based Skincare Can Help 

Beauty Thinkers’ hydroxytyrosol-based minimalist products are designed with sensitive, mature skin in mind. Hydroxytyrosol for skin is a powerful antioxidant that protects against free radicals, calms irritation, and supports hydration—all without overwhelming your skin. With a clean, minimalist approach, these products provide effective care during this transformative stage.

Where to Find Information and Support 

Navigating perimenopause and menopause can feel isolating, but you are not alone. Gen X and older millennial women are increasingly speaking up and advocating for more support and research. For reliable, science-based information on understanding and managing perimenopause and menopause in the U.S., check out these resources: 

• Dr. Mary Claire Haver: We are big fans of Dr. Haver at Beauty Thinkers. A board-certified OB/GYN and Certified Menopause Practitioner, Dr. Haver offers expert advice through her platform, The ‘Pause Life, and in her new book, The New Menopause.
• The Menopause Society: This organization provides comprehensive resources and a directory of certified practitioners.
• The National Menopause Foundation: A nonprofit offering education and support to empower women navigating menopause. 
• The M Factor documentary: A film breaking taboos around menopause and providing a platform for honest conversations about this life stage.