Are you going through perimenopause or menopause and noticing changes in your skin? You are definitely not the only one, been there and done that! Many women notice during this phase that their skin starts reacting differently than it used to. Products that always worked suddenly seem less effective, or your skin may feel drier, more sensitive or look a bit dull.
During perimenopause and menopause so much changes in your body. Hormones play a much bigger role than most of us realize, and the result of that shows up in your skin as well. Research shows that three hormones in particular play an important role.
Progesterone
Supports estrogen and helps keep the skin supple and hydrated.
Estrogen
Stimulates collagen production and helps maintain skin thickness and firmness.
Testosterone
Regulates sebum production and supports skin elasticity.
When these hormones start fluctuating during perimenopause and menopause, your skin changes too. Sometimes these changes are subtle, sometimes they can feel a little frustrating. Knowing that this is a normal process already helps a lot.
Common Changes in Menopausal Skin
Besides other changes happening in the body, such as hot flashes, night sweats, weight fluctuations or mood swings, your skin also changes.
You might notice that your skin:
becomes drier
shows more fine lines or wrinkles
feels thinner or slightly crepey
develops darker circles under the eyes
gets age spots or melasma
looks duller
becomes more sensitive to products
or even starts breaking out again (I personally had quite a lot of this on my chin)
It can be confusing, like everything is during (peri)menaupause (well that’s how it certainly felt for me), because I had a skincare routine that worked well and I wasn’t eating any differently than before. In fact, I was eating and drinking healthier than ever.
Knowledge helps tremendously, and since I was already mentoring women to lead a more holistic lifestyle I easily put 1 and 1 together. When you understand why your skin is changing and what it needs in this phase, it becomes much easier to make good choices. Usually it’s not about using more products, but about giving your skin the right support during this stage. When you know which ingredients or products suit your skin type and your current skin condition, you gain more control over how your skin looks and feels.
If you are curious which ingredients and products can actually support your skin during this phase, I will walk you through what helped me and many of my clients. And if you want to explore these products I, you can find them through my Olive Tree People shop.
Clean Beauty and Menopausal Skin
The beauty world is full of products, literally thousands of them. But many contain fillers, synthetic additives or ingredients that do very little for the actual health of your skin. That is why I have always been a supporter of clean beauty, ingredients that support the skin rather than burden it.
During menopause, when skin often becomes more sensitive and the skin barrier may become thinner, choosing nourishing and protective ingredients can make a big difference. Something most of us probably never thought about before.
Waterless Skincare
I discovered waterless skincare In the summer of 2024, a fascinating concept within the clean beauty industry. I had never really thought about how many traditional skincare products consist largely of water. Water itself is not bad, but I’ve learned it often dilutes the concentration of active ingredients. In waterless skincare, water is replaced with bioactive plant extracts. With Olive Tree People, for example, this is an olive leaf extract rich in hydroxytyrosol.
This means the formulas are often more concentrated and each drop contains active ingredients instead of fillers. I started trying a few products and quickly noticed that my skin responded very well to the more concentrated formulas. That is why I now share these products.
Important Ingredients for Mature Skin
As your skin ages and goes through hormonal changes, it can be helpful to choose ingredients that support hydration, protection and repair.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is known for its ability to retain moisture in the skin. It helps the skin feel more hydrated and plump and can contribute to a smoother skin texture.
Collagen
Collagen is an important protein that supports the structure of the skin. As we age, natural collagen production decreases, which can contribute to wrinkles and reduced firmness.
And the magic ingredient that Oliveda offers:
Hydroxytyrosol
Hydroxytyrosol is a powerful polyphenol derived from olive leaves and is known for its strong antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help protect the skin against oxidative stress, a process that contributes to skin aging.
Skincare That Moves With Your Skin
Menopause does not mean your skin is “going downhill”, it simply means it is changing. With the right care and ingredients, you can continue supporting your skin so it stays healthy, comfortable and radiant.
By choosing ingredients that nourish, protect and hydrate the skin, you help your skin adapt to this new phase. That is exactly what I did, and honestly my skin has never looked better.
Of course every skin is different, but over time I learned that certain products consistently work well for mature or menopausal skin. Below you will find some examples of products that many women, including myself, enjoy using for specific skin concerns. If you ever feel unsure about what might suit your skin best, feel free to reach out or take the skin quiz at the end of this article.
Dry Skin
Hormonal changes can reduce the skin’s ability to retain moisture. As a result, the skin may feel tight or look dull. Products that can support the skin in this situation include:
F78 Arbequina Cleansing Oil – a gentle cleanser that does not dry out the skin
F63 Cell Active Oil Serum – a nourishing serum for extra support
F74 Regeneration Intense Face Cream – a rich cream that helps maintain hydration
Internal support can also play a role, for example:
I01 ORAC & Camu Camu
I70 The Beauty Molecule
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Wrinkles are a natural part of aging, but you can still support the skin so it remains soft and resilient. Products often used for this include:
F72 Corrective Cleansing Oil
F67 Corrective Facial Tonic
F59 Corrective Face Serum
F65 Corrective Midnight Elixir
F60 Corrective Eye Cream
F42 Corrective Face Cream
These products contain hydroxytyrosol and other bioactive ingredients that help support the skin’s protection and regeneration.
Age Spots and Hyperpigmentation
Age spots and hyperpigmentation become more common as we get older and can also be influenced by hormonal changes. Products that can help the skin appear brighter include:
F81 AHA + HT Serum
F83 HT + Vitamin C Serum
F87 Kahai Corrective Elixir
Dark Circles Under the Eyes
Dark circles can be caused by hormones, lack of sleep or thinner skin around the eyes. Products specifically designed for the eye area include:
F64 Corrective Eye Elixir
F60 Corrective Eye Cream
F09 Anti Wrinkle Eye Cream
LA DOPE 007 Lifting Up Eye Elixir
LA DOPE 008 Shining Dope Eye Cream
Dull Skin
Dull skin can be caused by slower cell turnover or reduced circulation. Supporting products can include:
I01 ORAC & Camu Camu
I70 The Beauty Molecule
F78 Arbequina Cleansing Oil
Breakouts or Blemishes
As unfair as it sounds, breakouts can still happen during menopause, products that may help include:
F38 Purifying Cleansing Gel
F11 Activating Face Toner
F81 AHA + HT Serum
F85 Acne SOS Face Drops
F84 Blemish Control Face Mask
Sensitive or Irritated Skin
When the skin barrier becomes weaker, the skin may become more sensitive. Products often used to soothe the skin include:
F08 Cell Active Cream
B14 SOS Olive Leaf Skin Gel
F82 Green Retinol Face Elixir
My Personal favorites
Some of my favorite Oliveda products and current facial routine include:
Internals; I01 ORAC & Camu Camu, I70 The Beauty Molecule, I66 The Beauty Fountain
Eyes; F64 Corrective Eye Elixir, F60 Corrective Eye Cream
Cleansing; F72 Corrective Cleansing Oil / F71 Corrective Cleansing Gel / F91 Corrective Cleansing Balm*
Moisturising; F67 Corrective Facial Tonic
F42 Corrective Face Cream (during the day since it contains a natural spf)
F74 Regeneration Intense Face Cream (at night)
Serums; F59 Corrective Face Serum, F86 Corrective Vegan Hyaluronic Serum
Elixers; F65 Corrective Midnight Elixir, F87 Kahai Elixer
Extra’s; F76 Honey Enzyme Mask
*I alternate these but the F91 balm is my absolute favorite
Not Sure Which Products Are Right for Your Skin?
Every skin is different. That is why it can sometimes be difficult to determine which products are best for your skin at this moment. You can take my skin quiz to discover which products best match your skin type and current skin needs. Or you can explore and learn more about the products mentioned in this article through my Olive Tree People shop here.
