Your skin used to be predictable. Now it's dry, sensitive or just doesn't feel like yours anymore.
Here's what Australian research tells us about perimenopause skin changes โ and how to rethink your skincare routine.
You haven't changed your skincare routine.
You're using the same cleanser, the same moisturiser and the same products you've trusted for years.
But suddenly, your skin feels different.
Perhaps your face feels tight halfway through the day. Your favourite moisturiser doesn't seem to be doing enough. You're noticing changes in your skin's texture, or your complexion just doesn't have that familiar glow.
And you're thinking:
"Why has my skin changed so much? And why doesn't anything work like it used to?"
If you're in your 40s or early 50s, perimenopause might be part of the picture.
And here's something reassuring: Australian research confirms that changes in skin appearance, texture and tone are reported more frequently during perimenopause.
So, rather than buying another product and hoping for the best, it may be time to understand what's happening โ and give your skin a routine that better suits its changing needs.
Why Does Your Skin Change During Perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the natural transition leading up to menopause.
During this stage, your hormones fluctuate, particularly oestrogen and progesterone.
You might already be familiar with some common perimenopause symptoms, such as disrupted sleep, hot flushes or changes in your menstrual cycle.
But your skin can be affected, too.
Oestrogen plays a role in maintaining skin hydration, collagen and elasticity. Changes in oestrogen levels across the menopause transition may therefore contribute to changes in the way your skin looks and feels.
It's also important to remember that skin changes can have several causes, including environmental conditions, sun exposure, natural ageing and existing skin conditions.
Not every change is caused by hormones, and not every woman will experience the same symptoms.
But there is evidence that skin concerns become more noticeable for some women during perimenopause.
What Australian Research Says About Perimenopause Skin Changes
The Australian AMY Study investigated symptoms experienced by women at different stages of the menopause transition.
Its supplementary findings included two particularly relevant skin concerns:
-
Dry skin
-
Changes in skin appearance, texture or tone
The researchers reported that 21.8% of women in early perimenopause and 23.6% in late perimenopause experienced moderately to severely bothersome changes in skin appearance, texture or tone, compared with 14.7% of premenopausal women.
Dry skin was also reported at moderate-to-severe levels by 20.9% of women in early perimenopause and 21.4% in late perimenopause, compared with 16.0% of premenopausal women.
While the statistical evidence was stronger for changes in skin appearance, texture and tone than for dryness, the findings reflect a familiar experience for many women:
Skin that once felt predictable can begin to feel unfamiliar.
And when you're already navigating other changes associated with perimenopause, figuring out what your skin needs can feel like one more thing on an already overflowing to-do list.
Research reference: AMY Study, 2025, Supplementary Appendix, Table 5. Figures represent the prevalence of moderate-to-severely bothersome symptoms among the study's menopausal-stage groups. The study examined associations rather than proving that hormonal changes caused individual symptoms.
5 Skin Changes You Might Notice During Perimenopause
1. Your Skin Feels Drier Than It Used To
Perhaps you've always had normal or combination skin, but now your face feels tight, especially after cleansing.
Or the moisturiser you've used for years no longer leaves your skin feeling comfortable throughout the day.
Dryness is a concern reported by women during perimenopause, including participants in the AMY Study.
Several things can contribute to dry skin, including changes in skin lipids, moisture retention and environmental conditions.
Whatever the cause, the frustration is real.
You moisturise in the morning, only to feel that familiar tightness again a few hours later.
What your skin may need now: A gentle cleanser, a nourishing moisturiser and, where needed, an additional emollient product to help soften dry skin.
2. Your Skin's Texture Seems Different
Your skin might feel rougher, less smooth or simply different when you touch it.
Changes in skin appearance, texture and tone were specifically measured in the AMY Study and were reported more frequently at moderate-to-severe levels among women in early and late perimenopause.
While the study didn't identify the exact cause of every reported change, other dermatological research indicates that hormonal changes around menopause can influence aspects of skin structure and hydration.
If you've noticed that your skin no longer feels quite the same, it's worth reconsidering whether your current routine still suits it.
What your skin may need now: Consistent moisturising and a routine that supports comfortable, healthy-looking skin without excessive exfoliation.
3. Your Skin Seems More Sensitive
Has your favourite product suddenly started to sting?
Or perhaps your face feels uncomfortable after washing, even though you're using the same products as before.
Skin sensitivity can have many causes, including irritation, contact allergies and conditions such as eczema or rosacea.
Skin-barrier changes may also occur around menopause, although the AMY Study appendix does not specifically establish a link between perimenopause and product sensitivity.
If your skin has become more reactive, piling on extra treatments may not be the answer.
What your skin may need now: Fewer potentially irritating products, gentle cleansing and careful introduction of new skincare.
Persistent irritation or redness should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
4. Fine Lines Look More Noticeable
Sometimes it seems as though fine lines have appeared almost overnight.
Oestrogen plays an important role in maintaining collagen, which helps give skin its structure and firmness.
Hormonal changes associated with menopause can contribute to collagen loss and changes in skin elasticity, alongside the effects of natural ageing and sun exposure.
Dryness may also make existing fine lines look more noticeable.
And while no moisturiser can stop hormonal ageing, well-moisturised skin can appear smoother, softer and more supple.
What your skin may need now: Regular moisturising, thoughtful skincare and daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen to protect against UV-related skin ageing.
5. Your Skin Has Lost Some of Its Familiar Glow
Sometimes you can't put your finger on exactly what's different.
Your skin just looks tired.
It doesn't feel as smooth. Your complexion looks less fresh. And even after a good night's sleep, you don't always see the healthy-looking glow you remember.
Dryness and changes in skin texture can influence how light reflects from your skin, affecting its appearance.
The temptation is to reach for more exfoliants, more serums and more complicated treatments.
But when your skin feels unsettled, doing more isn't necessarily better.
What your skin may need now: Gentle, consistent daily care that focuses on hydration, comfort and maintaining a healthy-looking complexion.
Why Your Old Skincare Routine Might Not Be Working Anymore
Here's something worth remembering.
The routine that suited your skin at 35 isn't necessarily the routine it needs at 45.
That doesn't mean the products you've been using were wrong.
Your skin's needs may simply have changed.
Perhaps you once loved a lightweight moisturiser, but now your skin feels dry by lunchtime.
Maybe your cleanser leaves you feeling tighter than it used to.
Or perhaps you've been adding product after product, hoping one of them will bring your skin back to how it felt before.
That's when skincare can start to feel overwhelming.
More products. More expense. More confusion.
And still, you're standing in front of the bathroom mirror wondering what your skin actually needs.
It may be time for a different approach.
Not a complicated ten-step routine.
Not another collection of products that sit unused in your bathroom cabinet.
Just a few thoughtfully chosen skincare steps that help your skin feel comfortable, moisturised and cared for.
How to Care for Changing Skin During Perimenopause
When your skin is feeling dry, uncomfortable or unpredictable, consistency and simplicity can be a useful starting point.
At Merindah Botanicals, we've created the Go to Glow Set as an easy three-step skincare routine for women experiencing dry, sensitive or changing skin.
Step 1: Cleanse Without Overdoing It
Cleansing removes everyday impurities, but your skin shouldn't need to feel stripped afterwards.
The Uplifting Cleanser is a gel-like cleanser designed to gently cleanse while leaving your skin feeling refreshed.
The Go to Glow Set also includes a Purifying Konjac Sponge for optional exfoliation.
If your skin is feeling particularly sensitive or irritated, skip the sponge until it feels comfortable again.
Step 2: Keep Your Routine Simple with a Calming Toner
The Calming Toner is designed to refresh your skin after cleansing and prepare it for moisturising.
It's an easy addition to your daily routine without requiring several different treatment products.
Step 3: Give Dry Skin the Moisture It Needs
When your skin begins feeling drier than it used to, regular moisturising is especially important.
The Luxurious Face Cream combines nourishing ingredients, including Kakadu Plum and Tasmanian Pepperberry, in a lightweight moisturiser designed to leave skin feeling softer, smoother and more hydrated.
The result is a straightforward routine you can comfortably fit into your morning and evening.
When Moisturiser Alone Doesn't Feel Like Enough
There may be days when your skin needs a little extra nourishment.
Perhaps your face still feels tight after applying moisturiser, or you're looking for a richer finishing step without a heavy, greasy feel.
That's where our Hydrating Anti-Ageing Elixir comes in.
This oil-based elixir combines botanical ingredients including camellia seed oil, jojoba oil, sea buckthorn and natural vitamin E.
It's formulated to help replenish dry skin and leave it feeling softer, smoother and more supple.
Think of it as an extra nourishing addition to your skincare routine when your skin needs more than moisturiser alone.
SHOP THE HYDRATING ANTI-AGEING ELIXIR
As with any new skincare product, patch testing is sensible, particularly if your skin is sensitive to botanical extracts or essential oils.
And remember to include broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen during the day.
Your Skin Is Changing. That Doesn't Mean You Need to Fight It.
Perimenopause can bring enough unexpected changes without feeling like your skin has suddenly stopped cooperating.
And when your trusted skincare products aren't giving you the comfort they once did, it's understandable to feel frustrated.
But you don't need to chase the skin you had ten years ago.
You can learn what your skin needs today.
Maybe that's a gentler cleanser.
A more nourishing moisturiser.
Or a simpler routine that doesn't take up precious time you don't have.
The Australian AMY Study reinforces something important: changes in skin appearance and texture are reported by women during perimenopause.
Your experience deserves to be taken seriously.
And although skincare can't reverse hormonal changes, choosing products that suit your skin's current needs can make your daily routine feel more manageable and enjoyable.
Ready to Stop Guessing What Your Skin Needs?
If the skincare routine you've trusted for years no longer feels right, it's time for a change.
Start with Merindah Botanicals' Go to Glow Set โ three simple steps designed to help dry, changing skin feel clean, moisturised and comfortable.
And when your skin is craving extra nourishment, add our Hydrating Anti-Ageing Elixir.
No complicated routines. No endless skincare experiments.
Just a fresh approach to caring for your skin as it changes.
SHOP THE GO TO GLOW SET โ START YOUR NEW ROUTINE
ADD THE HYDRATING ANTI-AGEING ELIXIR
Your skin has changed. Give your skincare routine permission to change with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can perimenopause cause changes in your skin?
Hormonal changes during the menopause transition can contribute to changes in skin hydration and structure. The Australian AMY Study also found that moderately to severely bothersome changes in skin appearance, texture or tone were reported more frequently in early and late perimenopause than in premenopause.
Is dry skin common during perimenopause?
Dry skin is one of the symptoms women may report. In the AMY Study, moderate-to-severe dry skin was reported by approximately 21% of women in early and late perimenopause, compared with 16% of premenopausal women. The statistical evidence for differences in dryness was less conclusive than for changes in skin appearance, texture and tone.
Why doesn't my usual skincare work anymore?
Your skin's hydration, sensitivity or texture may change over time. If products no longer feel comfortable or moisturising enough, it may help to reassess your routine and consider gentler cleansing and more consistent moisturising.
What is a good skincare routine for perimenopausal skin?
Start with gentle cleansing, a moisturiser appropriate for your skin type and daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen. Additional nourishing products may help if your skin feels particularly dry.
Can skincare reverse the effects of perimenopause?
No cosmetic skincare product can reverse the hormonal changes associated with perimenopause. However, suitable skincare can help improve the feel and appearance of dry skin, support comfort and maintain a consistent routine.
Research reference
AMY Study (2025). Supplementary Appendix, Table 5: Association between menopause stage and moderate to severe symptoms.
The AMY Study data cited in this article concerns self-reported symptoms and associations with menopausal stage. It should not be interpreted as clinical evidence for the effectiveness of any skincare product.