Perimenopause is very much the talk of the town at the moment.
And in many ways, that is a good thing. There is far more awareness of a life stage that, for a long time, many women simply were not given enough information about.
But with that increased attention has also come a lot of noise.
There is useful education, but there is also misinformation, overstatement and, at times, outright scare tactics, particularly when it comes to the changes happening to our bodies and skin.
One area that is getting increasing attention is skin.
You may find that skin that once felt balanced suddenly becomes dry, tight, reactive or less tolerant of products you have used for years.
That does not mean your skin has suddenly become bad, or that you need to overhaul your entire routine.
It may simply mean your skin is changing, and your skincare needs to change with it.
Why can skin become drier during perimenopause?
Oestrogen plays an important role in the skin.
It contributes to things including sebum production, water retention and the function of the outermost layer of the skin. As oestrogen levels change and eventually decline through perimenopause and menopause, skin can become drier and less able to retain water effectively.
For some women, this can feel like their skin has changed almost overnight.
You may notice:
- persistent tightness, particularly after cleansing
- dry or flaky patches
- increased sensitivity
- itching
- redness or irritation
- products that previously felt comfortable suddenly stinging
- makeup sitting differently on the skin
- your usual moisturiser no longer feeling like enough
Why your old skincare routine might suddenly stop working
One of the more frustrating things about changing skin is that your routine may not have changed at all.
Your skin has.
A routine that worked perfectly well for years can suddenly feel too harsh, too active or simply not nourishing enough.
This is particularly relevant if your routine includes several active ingredients, regular exfoliation, foaming cleansers or products designed primarily around oil control.
Skin that is becoming drier and more sensitive may simply tolerate these things differently.
The answer is not necessarily to add another serum or start an entirely new ten-step routine.
Sometimes it is worth doing the opposite.
Your skin may need less, not more
Modern skincare has become increasingly complicated.
Acids. Retinoids. Vitamin C. Peptides. Exfoliating toners. Masks. Essences. Serums.
There can be a feeling that every skin concern requires another active ingredient.
But when skin becomes dry or reactive, simplifying your routine can make it easier to work out what your skin actually needs and what it might be happier without.
That could mean temporarily reducing exfoliation, using a gentler cleanser and choosing simple products that focus on keeping skin comfortable rather than constantly trying to change it.
Oils, balms and changing skin
This is where richer, oil-based products can become particularly useful.
There is an important distinction, though.
Face oils and balms work a little differently, but both can be useful when skin becomes drier.
Plant oils help soften the skin and replace some of the natural lipids that can become depleted as skin changes.
Balms combine those oils with richer ingredients such as botanical butters and waxes. This creates a more protective layer on the skin, helping reduce moisture loss and keeping skin feeling softer for longer.
For skin that suddenly feels tight or dry, particularly overnight, this can feel very different from a lightweight lotion that seems to disappear within minutes.
At Skin Botanist, our products are deliberately water-free, so rather than creating a traditional water-based cream, we formulate with concentrated botanical oils, butters and waxes.
A little goes a long way.
Face oil or face balm?
They perform slightly different jobs.
Face Oil
A face oil is generally lighter.
A few drops pressed into slightly damp skin can help soften dry skin and support the lipid layer without creating a heavy finish.
If your skin feels dry but you dislike richer products during the day, an oil can be a good place to start.
Face Balm
A balm is richer and more occlusive.
It can be particularly useful at night, during colder weather or on areas that consistently feel dry.
Some people prefer to use a face oil first and then press a very small amount of balm over the top, particularly in the evening.
There is no rule saying you need both.
The right routine is simply the one that leaves your skin feeling comfortable.
What if your skin has also become more sensitive?
Dryness and sensitivity often arrive together.
Skin may begin reacting to fragrance, essential oils or active ingredients that previously caused no issue at all.
This does not mean those ingredients are universally bad.
It means your skin's tolerance may have changed.
If you notice that almost everything seems to irritate your face, stripping your routine back to a small number of fragrance-free products can make it easier to identify what is causing problems.
Our Bare range was developed specifically for people who prefer unscented, essential-oil-free skincare.
The Bare Face Oil combines simple botanical oils, while the Bare Face Balm provides a richer protective layer for skin that needs more.
For people whose skin still happily tolerates essential oils, our Botanical versions remain an option.
Do not forget the rest of your skin
Hormonal skin changes are not limited to the face.
Arms, legs, hands and the rest of the body can also become noticeably drier.
Long, hot showers can make this worse because they remove some of the natural oils from the surface of the skin.
Using warm rather than very hot water, keeping showers relatively short and applying an oil or body butter soon afterwards can help reduce that dry, tight feeling.
Again, the principle is simple. Help replace some of what dry skin is losing and reduce unnecessary stripping.
What about exfoliation?
It can be tempting to exfoliate flaky skin more aggressively.
But visible flakes do not always mean your skin needs stronger exfoliation.
If your skin is already irritated, repeatedly applying acids, scrubs or peels may make it feel worse.
If your face feels sore, hot, persistently red or unusually reactive, it may be worth pausing active treatments rather than trying to exfoliate your way out of the problem.
Sunscreen still matters
Hormonal changes may be new, but sun exposure accumulated over many years also contributes to the changes we tend to notice in our 40s and beyond.
Daily broad-spectrum SPF remains one of the most useful things you can do for your skin.
It is particularly important if you use ingredients such as retinoids or exfoliating acids.
Skin Botanist does not make sunscreen. Find an SPF you enjoy wearing and use it consistently.
When should you speak to a doctor or dermatologist?
Not every sudden skin change is caused by perimenopause.
Persistent redness, rashes, significant itching, cracking, bleeding or worsening eczema, psoriasis or rosacea deserve proper assessment rather than simply another skincare product.
Changing hormones can also coincide with other health changes, so speak with your GP or dermatologist if you are concerned.
Changing skin does not necessarily need a more complicated routine
Your 40s can bring a strange period of skincare adjustment.
Products that worked for years may suddenly feel wrong. Skin that was once oily can become dry. Skin that was previously resilient can start reacting to things it once tolerated easily.
It can be tempting to respond by buying more.
But this may actually be the time to simplify.
Use a gentle cleanser. Protect your skin from the sun. Reduce products that repeatedly irritate it. Give dry skin enough emollient and occlusive support to remain comfortable.
And pay attention to what your skin is telling you now, rather than trying to recreate the skin you had ten years ago.
Sometimes changing skin does not need more skincare.
It simply needs different skincare.
