Perimenopause-friendly facial moisturizers

Navigating skincare during perimenopause can be frustrating — what used to work may suddenly leave your skin dry, dull, or irritated. As hormone levels shift, skin becomes thinner, more prone to dryness, and may lose elasticity. Choosing the right facial moisturizer is essential for supporting your skin through this phase of life.

Here’s what to look for in a perimenopause-friendly facial moisturizer: Deep Hydration with Hyaluronic Acid, Barrier-Boosting Ingredients, Anti-Aging Antioxidants, gentle formulas with SPF. There is now research that shows that adding estrogen, estradiol and progesterone may tend to low hormone needs and improve our skins pigment, elasticity and hydtation.

During perimenopause, estrogen levels drop, reducing the skin's ability to retain moisture. Look for moisturizers rich in hyaluronic acid, which draws water into the skin and helps restore plumpness. As skin becomes more sensitive, it's crucial to strengthen the skin barrier. Choose products with ceramides, squalane, or niacinamide, which lock in moisture and calm inflammation.

To combat free radical damage and support collagen production, opt for moisturizers containing vitamin C, vitamin E, or green tea extract. These ingredients help brighten skin and reduce fine lines. Hormonal skin is more reactive. Avoid harsh fragrances and alcohol-based ingredients that can trigger irritation or dryness. Look for labels that say “fragrance-free," “non-comedogenic,” and “sensitive skin safe.” Sun protection is non-negotiable. A good moisturizer with broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher protects your delicate skin from UV damage and premature aging.

I love La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer (fragrance free) with SPF 30. I use it because it contains prebiotic thermal water, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides—ideal for sensitive, aging skin. It's $22 and lasts me 3 months. In a pinch I will grab Eucerin Skin Balancing Day Cream. For half the price it's also effective, with glycerin and hyaluronic acid for moisture. Eucerin can be found almost anywhere they have a skincare section.

Online perscription hormone creams are becoming very popular. With women's hormonal health very understudied so women are turning to brands like is Alloy and Musely for hormone prescriptions outside of their OBGYN. It sounds like lots of perimenopausal women's skin is bouncing back with Alloy's M4 formula. Topical estriol, the star ingredient in this formula, helps keep skin resilient, youthful, and balanced—before signs of aging deepen. And if you’re already in menopause, M4 is designed to restore what hormonal shifts have taken away: firmness, hydration, and that healthy glow.

Another Menopausal Hormone Therapy treatment option is Musely. Their top 2 facial formulas that use bioidentical hormones for estrogen therapy are The Estrogen Boost and The Aging Repair Creme. Reserved for women 40-60 The Estrogen Boost treats everything from hair loss and low energy to HOT FLASHES! And this is all in your skin care, mind you. It's star ingredients are Estradiol, Estriol & Progesterone.

As always here at the-PAUSE Lab we're curious about what has and hasn't worked for you and your maturing skin.

Please click the link below to share you're story and we'll feature it in an upcoming BLOG POST.