Perimenopause is Messing with My Skin—Here’s How I’m Fighting Back

Mar 10

3 min read

Hey there, it’s Sarah, one of the founders of Faith + Fearless Beauty—and I’m in the thick of perimenopause right now. Not just dipping a toe in. Oh no, I’m waist-deep in the weirdest, wildest phase my body has ever thrown at me.

And let’s be real: some days, I feel like an absolute powerhouse. Other days? I’m staring at the ceiling at 3 AM, wondering why my skin is suddenly acting like it’s 15 and 85 at the same time.

Sound familiar? If you’re nodding, welcome to the club. Grab a matcha (or a glass of wine—no judgment), and let’s talk about how I’m navigating this rollercoaster, keeping my skin in check, and not losing my mind in the process.

My Skin on Perimenopause: The Not-So-Fun Surprises

Perimenopause came in hot with some major skin shifts:

Dry patches I’ve never had before
A delightful mix of breakouts and fine lines (because why not both?)
Increased sensitivity—products I swore by now make me red and blotchy
A general “meh” look, like my glow packed up and left

And let’s not forget the biggest villain in this story: lack of sleep. Because when your sleep is off, your skin follows suit. And guess what’s been my biggest struggle? Yep. Sleep.

The Sleep-Struggle Is Real (and It Shows on Your Skin)

Perimenopause has a special way of ruining sleep. One night, I’m out cold. The next, I’m awake at 2 AM, sweating like I just ran a marathon, brain spiraling about things that don’t even matter. Lack of sleep means more stress, more cortisol, and more inflammation—the perfect storm for breakouts, dullness, and sagging skin.

Here’s what’s actually helping me sleep better:

Magnesium before bed – A literal game-changer for calming my body and brain.
No screens an hour before sleep – Hard? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.
Keeping my room cool – Hot flashes are real, and I’m not about that sweaty life.
Rhodiola & adaptogens – Help keep my stress (and nighttime overthinking) in check.

And when I do have a bad night? I give my skin extra love the next morning—hydration, SPF, and a little self-compassion.

Reducing Stress: Because Cortisol is the Enemy of Good Skin

Perimenopause is basically a masterclass in stress management, because if you don’t get your stress under control, it will wreck your skin. Cortisol breaks down collagen, triggers breakouts, and makes your skin more sensitive.

What’s saving my sanity?

Strength training – Lifting weights keeps my mood stable, supports bone health (which we need at this stage), and gives my skin that post-workout glow.
Daily walks – Nature, fresh air, movement. An instant reset.
Deep breathing & meditation – Even five minutes helps lower stress levels and balance hormones.
Saying no more often – Because I refuse to stress myself out over things that don’t serve me.

My Perimenopause Skincare Non-Negotiables

Look, I love skincare, but I don’t have the patience for a 10-step routine right now. Here’s what’s actually working for me:

Hydrating cleanser – No foaming, no stripping. Just moisture.
Hyaluronic acid + ceramides – Because perimenopausal skin is thirsty.
A rich, nourishing moisturizer – My skin drinks this up, especially at night.
SPF every single day – If you take nothing else from this, wear your sunscreen.
Collagen & omega-3 supplements – Helping me glow from the inside out.

Let's do this together

Perimenopause is a lot, but I’m learning to work with my body instead of fighting it. My mom and her friends didn't talk about this stuff. My friends and I are talking about it everyday. It's an important conversation especially if we want to help the next generation of women. I won’t lie—some days, it’s frustrating. But I also know this is just another chapter, not the end of my story.

So if you’re out here feeling tired, breaking out, or wondering where your glow went—know this: you are not alone.

And you are still powerful, beautiful, and bold at every stage.

Let’s talk—what’s been your biggest skin or self-care struggle during perimenopause? Drop a comment below. Let’s navigate this together.