'12 products I recommend for peri and menopausal skin.'

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Hot flushes, mood swings, brain fog… and then out of nowhere, your skin decides to change the rules too.

No, it's not just you, menopause really does bring a whole new chapter for your skin. I see it all the time with my clients in clinic (I'm a dermal clinician).

The good news, though? Skincare for this phase of life is no longer an afterthought.

It's a whole category now, with evidence-based solutions designed to keep your skin glowing as it shifts, so let's chat through them.

Watch: Why perimenopausal women are refusing to suffer in silence like previous generations. Post continues after video.

How can peri and menopause affect the skin?

As oestrogen levels decline, the skin can change in so many ways. Starting with collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for firmness and elasticity.

As we get older, these are produced in smaller amounts, which directly contributes to sagging and more visible lines.

Sebum (your skin's natural oil) also decreases, leading to dryness, dehydration, and a loss of that healthy, light-reflective glow; and a thinner epidermal barrier can make skin more reactive and prone to irritation, while a slower rate of cell turnover can contribute to uneven skin texture.

On top of that, fluctuating hormones disrupt melanocyte activity, so pigmentation becomes more unpredictable — it can show up as dark spots, patches, or a general sallowness in tone.

Common peri and menopause skin side effects.

• Dryness and tightness

• Dull, lacklustre skin

• Fine lines looking deeper

• Sudden sensitivity

• Pigmentation flares

• Breakouts (yes, really)

Listen: A GP answers all your peri and menopause questions, post continues below.

Lifestyle habits for peri and menopausal skin changes.

Menopausal skin is normal, and you're not alone in noticing the changes.

With the right mix of skincare, lifestyle shifts, and targeted treatments, this stage doesn't have to mean you're letting your skin go.

Instead, think of it less as "losing" your skin and more as learning how to care for it in a new chapter, because with the right tools, it's manageable. Starting with:

Hydration: Drinking enough water supports skin's elasticity and helps counteract the dryness that comes with lower oil production.

Sleep and stress management: Quality rest and keeping cortisol in check are key, since high stress hormones can interfere with skin repair and healing.

JS Health Menopause+ is an additional supplement rich in vitamins and antioxidants that can act as additional support if sleep has become a problem.

Nutrition: A diet rich in protein, omega-3s, and phytoestrogens (think soy, flax, chickpeas) provides the building blocks for collagen and may help balance hormone-related changes.

Sun protection: With a thinner barrier and less resilience, menopausal skin is more vulnerable to UV damage, making daily SPF non-negotiable.

Movement: Regular exercise boosts circulation, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the skin while supporting collagen maintenance.

Skincare to help with peri and menopausal changes.

Hydrating skincare.

Dealing with dryness? Look for ceramide-rich creams, creamier cleansers and hyaluronic acid serums to plump and quench thirsty skin.

PCA Skin Creamy Cleanser, $69.

Switching to a cream-based cleanser can help balance skin. Image: Adore Beauty.

PCA Skin Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum, $240.

Add in a quality hydrating serum. Image: Adore Beauty.

Barrier repair skincare.

Skin feeling sensitive or sensitised? You need to focus on barrier repair.

Lipid-based moisturisers and balms can help patch up a compromised skin barrier and get you back on track for stronger actives.

Aspect Probiotic Mask, $69.

Gentle, hydrating mask to help calm things down. Image: Adore Beauty.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+, $25.95.

Sleeping in a barrier cream can help overly sensitised skin. Image: Adore Beauty.

Firming skincare.

If you're concerned with signs of ageing, vitamin A and peptides will give skin the nudge it needs to stay firm and bouncy.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3, $99.

A very easy vitamin A to add into your routine. Image: Adore Beauty.

Osmosis Skincare Correct Preventative Retinal Serum, $176.

Another effective vitamin A that is well tolerated by a lot of skins. Image: Adore Beauty.

Skincare for peri and menopausal pigmentation.

Vitamin C and pigment blockers tackle dullness, uneven tone, and pigmentation and are easy staples to add into a routine.

Vitamin C can help boost collagen, but if you struggle with vitamin C, a gentle antioxidant serum in the morning can be an easy product to add.

Aesthetics Rx BIOFEMAGE® Serum, $149.

A skin brightener strategically designed for menopausal skin. Image: Adore Beauty.

Cosmedix Affirm Antioxidant Firming Serum, $143.

Designed for ageing, menopausal skin, this is also great for people who can't use vitamin C. Image: Adore Beauty.

Skincare for hormonal breakouts.

If you're breaking out (which can happen!), gentle exfoliants and anti-inflammatory actives like salicylic acid or azelaic acid keep hormonal breakouts in check.

It's important to choose products that won't strip the skin. Niacinamide may also be beneficial to add into your routine.

Murad Blemish Control Biome Balancing Clear & Prevent Serum, $80.

A salicylic acid-based serum to help clear pores. Image: Adore Beauty.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar A.Z. Gel Cream, $65.95.

An active moisturiser with azelaic acid and salicylic acid. Image: Adore Beauty.

Aspect Extreme B 17, $139.

Formulated to control oil production. Image: Adore Beauty.

Advice I give my clients.

Finally, when it comes to menopause, I think it's important to think of your skin as entering a new season. Sometimes, small tweaks can make a big difference; your skin might just need a slightly different wardrobe.

If you're not sure, I'll always recommend seeking professional guidance. Come chat to a dermal clinician; we love to help!

For more tried and tested beauty recommendations, listen to the You Beauty podcast or watch You Beauty on YouTube.

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This article originally appeared on Adore Beauty's Beauty IQ and has been republished with full permission.

Feature image: Supplied.