You’ve used the same moisturiser for years. You haven’t dramatically changed your skincare routine. Yet suddenly your skin feels drier, tighter or less comfortable than it used to.
Sound familiar?
For many women, changes to their skin are one of the unexpected signs of entering perimenopause and menopause.
And while it can feel as though your skin changed overnight, there are biological reasons why the skincare that worked perfectly well in your 30s may no longer feel quite enough in your 40s and beyond.
Why does skin become drier during perimenopause and menopause?
One of the biggest changes happening during this stage of life is a decline in oestrogen.
We often associate oestrogen with reproductive health, but it also plays an important role in our skin.
As oestrogen levels decline through perimenopause and menopause, changes can occur in the skin’s moisture levels, collagen, elasticity and thickness. Research has associated oestrogen deficiency with diminished skin moisture, increased dryness, thinning and changes in elasticity.
The American Academy of Dermatology also notes that during menopause, skin loses some of its ability to hold water, which can result in noticeably drier skin.
So if you’re wondering:
“Why has my skin suddenly become so dry?”
It may not be your imagination — and it may not be your moisturiser.
Your skin’s needs may simply be changing.
It’s not just about dryness
Midlife skin changes can show up in different ways.
You might notice that your skin:
- feels dry or tight, particularly after cleansing
- needs moisturising more frequently
- feels less plump or bouncy
- looks duller than before
- feels more sensitive or easily irritated
- develops fine lines that appear more noticeable
- doesn’t feel as firm as it once did
Changes in collagen are particularly significant around menopause. Research suggests that skin collagen can decline rapidly following menopause, with studies reporting losses approaching 30% during the first five postmenopausal years.
That’s one reason we believe midlife skincare shouldn’t focus solely on adding more moisturiser.
It’s about supporting the changing needs of your skin as a whole.
Does your skincare routine need to change after 40?
Potentially, yes.
That doesn’t mean reaching your 40th birthday requires throwing away everything in your bathroom cabinet.
And it certainly doesn’t mean you suddenly need a complicated 10-step routine.
Instead, pay attention to what your skin is telling you.
If the lightweight moisturiser you loved in your 30s no longer leaves your skin feeling comfortable throughout the day, you may benefit from richer hydration and ingredients chosen to support the appearance of firmness, elasticity and smoother-looking skin.
Gentle cleansing is important too. Dermatologists recommend avoiding overly drying soaps and using moisturisers to help manage menopausal dryness; ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin can be particularly helpful for hydration.
And don’t forget daily sun protection. A broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher remains one of the most important steps you can take to protect your skin from further UV-related ageing.
A different approach to midlife skincare
At MAYDI+™, we don’t believe ageing is something that needs to be “fixed”.
Our philosophy is pro-age.
We believe in understanding how skin changes through midlife and creating intelligent skincare to support it.
At the heart of MAYDI+ is our exclusive Frankincense Bioactive BFE-01, derived from Boswellia frereana, alongside carefully selected skincare ingredients across the range.
Rather than simply making claims about how our skincare should perform, we’ve also put it to the test.
What did women experience using the MAYDI+ Renewal Day Cream?
In our clinical testing, the Renewal Day Cream delivered:
80% increase in skin elasticity after 8 weeks
and
19% reduction in wrinkle depth after 4 weeks.
In a separate user study, after using the Renewal Day Cream:
97% said their skin felt less dry
86% said their skin felt smoother
83% said their skin felt firmer
For women experiencing dry skin during midlife, that first figure is particularly important.
Because sometimes what your skin is asking for isn’t simply more moisturiser.
It’s skincare created with the changing needs of midlife skin in mind.
What should a midlife skincare routine look like?
Keep it consistent rather than complicated.
Start with gentle cleansing, follow with your chosen serum or treatment product, moisturise appropriately for your skin’s needs and use broad-spectrum SPF during the day.
At night, focus on replenishing and supporting the skin while you sleep.
Most importantly, listen to your skin. What worked at 35 doesn’t have to be what you use at 45, 55 or 65.
Great skincare isn’t about turning back the clock. It’s about giving your skin what it needs today.
Your skin is changing. Your skincare can change with it.
If your skin has suddenly become drier in your 40s, you’re far from alone.
Perimenopause and menopause can bring real changes to skin hydration, collagen and elasticity.
Understanding why those changes are happening is the first step.
The next is finding a skincare routine that supports the skin you have now — so it can continue to look and feel its best through midlife and beyond.
Discover MAYDI+™ science-backed, pro-age skincare created with midlife skin in mind.