Over 25 years of researching myself and working with expert formulators has taught me that skincare is so much more than just products. It’s a ritual. A way to connect with your body, your hormones, your emotions, and your sense of self. And it becomes even more important as your skin changes through different life stages.
From teenage years to post-menopause, our skin is constantly evolving. Hormones shift, environmental stressors build, and our skin reflects it all. What I’ve learned is that gentle, barrier-supportive skincare done consistently is one of the most powerful ways to care for yourself. Your skin is the largest organ, caring for it (in my opinion) is all about looking after its health as a priority over beautifying it with the latest social media trends and products.
Let’s walk through what’s happening to the skin at each stage, and how to support it with intention.
Teens: Where It All Begins
In your teens, your skin is just starting to find its rhythm. Hormones surge, oil production increases, and breakouts often show up uninvited. It’s tempting to go hard with scrubs and drying treatments, but that usually backfires.
What your skin really needs is simplicity:
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A gentle, non-stripping cleanser
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A lightweight moisturiser to balance oil
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A mineral sunscreen to protect from early sun damage
This is the time to build habits not chase perfection. A consistent ritual helps regulate skin and build confidence. It’s also the beginning of learning how to listen to your skin.
Pregnancy: Skin in Transition
Pregnancy is a beautiful time, but it can be unpredictable for your skin. Hormones shift dramatically, and you might experience melasma (dark patches), breakouts, or sudden dryness. Your skin becomes more sensitive, and some ingredients you used before may no longer be safe.
During pregnancy, I recommend:
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Gentle hydration - think oils and serums with vitamin E
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Physical sunscreens like zinc oxide
It’s important to avoid retinoids, synthetic fragrances, and harsh preservatives. Your skin is already working hard - support it, don’t overwhelm it.
Perimenopause: The Quiet Shift
Perimenopause often creeps in quietly. You’re not quite menopausal, but your skin starts to feel different - drier, less elastic, more reactive. Estrogen levels begin to drop, and that affects everything from collagen to hydration.
This is when many women feel disconnected from their skin. But it’s also a time to reconnect with richer textures, slower rituals, and ingredients that truly nourish.
What helps:
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Peptides and vitamin C for firmness and glow
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Ceramide-rich moisturisers and facial oils
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Daily SPF (yes, even in winter)
Your skin is asking for a daily morning and evening routine and comfort. Give it that.
Menopause: The Big Shift
Menopause is a major turning point. Estrogen drops sharply, and with it goes a lot of collagen, hydration, and elasticity. Skin becomes thinner, more fragile, and sometimes more prone to breakouts again.
But here’s the good news: with the right ritual, you can absolutely restore radiance and resilience.
What I recommend:
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Oil cleansers with soothing ingredients like aloe or panthenol
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Moisturisers with glycerin, squalane, and ceramides
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Gentle exfoliation with cloths, body brushes and peels
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Retinoids or bakuchiol (if your skin tolerates them)
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Facial massage to boost circulation and collagen
This is the time to lean into skincare as self-care. It’s not about reversing aging it’s about feeling good in your skin and replenishing it with oils and hydration it needs to function properly.
Post-Menopause: Deep Nourishment
Post-menopause, your skin settles into a new rhythm. It’s drier, thinner, and slower to heal. But it’s also ready for deep nourishment and care.
I always say: less is more. Your skin doesn’t need a dozen steps it needs consistency, hydration, and protection.
What works beautifully:
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Hydrating serums with hyaluronic acid and peptides
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Rich moisturisers and facial oils
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Antioxidants like vitamin C and E
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Minimal, high-quality products that support not overwhelm the skin
This is the time to honour your skin’s journey. Every line, every change is part of your story.
What Your Skin Is Up Against
Here’s something I talk about a lot: the hidden damage from harsh chemicals in skincare and makeup. Over the years, I’ve seen how synthetic fragrances, sulfates, alcohols, and preservatives can:
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Disrupt the skin’s microbiome
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Strip away natural oils
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Trigger inflammation and sensitivity
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Accelerate aging
Your skin is exposed to so much pollution, stress, hormonal shifts. The last thing it needs is a product that works against it.
Why Gentle Rituals Matter
I’m not here to push organic skincare or complicated routines. What I care about is this: using products that support your skin’s barrier and microbiome. That means:
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Gentle cleansers (no foaming, no stripping)
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Minimal water-based products (water can disrupt pH if overused)
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Oils that mimic your skin’s natural lipids
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Ingredients like ceramides, peptides, lipids and antioxidants
Your skin is smart. When you support it, it knows how to heal, protect, and glow.
Final Thoughts From Me
Skincare isn’t just about looking good it’s about feeling connected to yourself. After decades of research and formulation, I’ve learned that the most powerful rituals are the ones that evolve with you.
Whether you’re 16 or 65, your skin deserves care that’s gentle, thoughtful, and rooted in respect. You don’t need to chase trends or perfection. You just need to listen to your skin and give it what it truly needs.
If you ever feel lost in your skincare journey, come back to this: cleanse, hydrate and moisturise and be kind to your skin. It’s been with you through everything.
