The ageing process can manifest in many ways, including dryness, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, deepening wrinkles, redness, and thinning skin. In your 40s, these changes will become more noticeable as you approach and enter perimenopause. At this stage in your life, it’s time to shift focus towards nurturing your skin barrier and promoting collagen and elastin production: the duo of proteins that keep your complexion plump. Production of both slows from your mid-twenties and now is the time to go hardcore on reigniting them. Your skin at the age of 40 is still young and adding in the right products and treatments will help keep your complexion healthy, happy, and firm well into your later years.

Understanding Perimenopausal Skin Changes

Perimenopause is a transitional phase leading up to menopause, during which women experience hormonal fluctuations, particularly a decline in oestrogen levels. This hormonal shift significantly affects the skin, often leading to dryness, thinning, loss of elasticity, and an increase in fine lines and wrinkles. These changes occur because oestrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining skin hydration, elasticity, and collagen production. As oestrogen levels decrease, the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture diminishes, and the structural integrity provided by collagen and elastin weakens, making the skin more susceptible to ageing.

Why These Changes Happen

The primary reason for these skin changes during perimenopause is the decrease in oestrogen production. Oestrogen is vital for maintaining the skin’s thickness, hydration, and youthful appearance. It stimulates the production of collagen, a protein that gives skin its firmness and elasticity, and helps in maintaining the skin’s moisture barrier. Without adequate oestrogen, the skin’s natural oil production decreases, leading to dryness and a rough texture. Additionally, the thinning of the skin makes it more prone to damage and sensitivity.

Managing Perimenopausal Skin Changes

Managing these changes involves adopting a skincare routine that focuses on hydration, collagen stimulation, and gentle care. It is crucial to use products that enhance moisture retention, support the skin’s natural barrier, and provide anti-ageing benefits to combat the effects of decreased collagen production. Here are some of my top product recommendations to help manage perimenopausal skin:

SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream

This overnight cream is designed to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. It combines a retinoid and an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to stimulate cell turnover and collagen production, which can help restore the skin’s firmness and elasticity. The formulation is also gentle enough for sensitive skin, making it suitable for use during perimenopause when the skin may be more prone to irritation.

Revision DEJ Face Cream

DEJ Face Cream targets the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ), a critical area where the dermis and epidermis meet and where significant skin ageing occurs. This cream helps to strengthen the skin barrier, improve firmness, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It contains peptides, antioxidants, and moisturisers that work together to support the skin’s natural renewal process.

Revision Gentle Cleansing Lotion

Cleansing is a vital step in any skincare routine, especially for perimenopausal skin, which can become more sensitive and prone to dryness. The Revision Gentle Cleansing Lotion is a non-irritating, hydrating cleanser that effectively removes impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils. It helps maintain the skin’s moisture balance, leaving it feeling soft and refreshed.

Meder Red Apax Concentrate

When your skin feels like it’s under attack from sensitivity and redness, the Meder Red Apax Concentrate is the perfect product. This soothing serum is designed to calm and hydrate sensitive or irritated skin, making it particularly beneficial for perimenopausal women who often experience increased skin sensitivity. Packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients and hydrating agents, Meder Red Apax Concentrate helps restore the skin’s barrier function and reduce irritation, offering relief and comfort.

Emepelle

A ground-breaking skincare duo designed specifically for perimenopausal and menopausal skin, Emepelle is specifically formulated to address the unique needs of menopausal skin. It contains MEP Technology, which helps counteract oestrogen deficiency in the skin, a primary cause of accelerated ageing during perimenopause. Emepelle improves hydration, firmness, and elasticity while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Its comprehensive approach targets multiple signs of ageing, making it an essential product for perimenopausal skincare.

Meder Arma Lift Concentrate

The Meder Arma Lift Concentrate is a lifting and firming serum that helps to improve skin elasticity and reduce sagging. It contains peptides and other active ingredients that stimulate collagen production and provide an immediate tightening effect. This serum is ideal for addressing the loss of firmness and elasticity often seen in perimenopausal skin.

Nuchido Time+

As we age, our levels of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) naturally decline, which can lead to decreased energy levels and a reduction in the skin’s ability to repair and regenerate. NAD+ is crucial for cellular metabolism and the repair of DNA damage, making it essential for maintaining youthful, healthy skin. Nuchido Time+ helps to boost NAD+ levels, promoting cellular regeneration, increasing energy, and improving skin appearance. This powerful supplement complements topical skincare products for a more comprehensive approach to managing perimenopausal skin changes, helping you achieve a radiant and youthful glow.

Perimenopause brings significant changes to the skin, primarily due to hormonal fluctuations that affect moisture retention, collagen production, and overall skin health. By using targeted skincare products like those mentioned above, women can effectively manage these changes and maintain healthy, radiant skin. It is essential to choose products that provide hydration, support collagen production, and are gentle on sensitive skin to combat the effects of perimenopause.

If you’d like help with your skincare, click here to book a virtual skin consultation where we will build a bespoke regime tailored to you.