What You Put on Your Skin Matters: A Simple Guide to Skincare in Perimenopause

You start noticing changes in your skin…

It feels drier than it used to.
A little more sensitive.
Maybe not as smooth or “glowy” as before.

And like many women, your first thought might be:

👉 I need new products

But what if we paused for a moment and looked at the bigger picture?

Because during perimenopause, it’s not just about finding more products…

It’s about being more intentional with what you’re putting on your skin.

🌸 How Your Skin Changes in Perimenopause

As hormones shift, your skin changes too.

Declining estrogen levels can lead to:

• dryness
• decreased elasticity
• thinning skin
• increased sensitivity
• slower healing

Which means your skin may not respond the same way it used to.

Products you’ve used for years may suddenly feel irritating… or just not as effective.

🌿 Your Skin Is Your Largest Organ

Here’s something important to remember:

👉 Your skin is your largest organ

And while not everything is absorbed in the same way…

What you put on your skin does matter.

Your body is interacting with those ingredients every single day.

So just like we think about how we feed our bodies…

It’s worth thinking about how we’re “feeding” our skin.

🧴 The Compounding Effect (Why This Matters)

On average, women use multiple personal care products daily — from cleansers and moisturizers to makeup and body products.

Each one may contain a variety of ingredients.

Individually?

They may seem insignificant.

But over time…

👉 it’s the combination and repeated exposure that adds up

This is especially important when it comes to ingredients that may act as endocrine disruptors — substances that can interfere with hormone function.

Again — this isn’t about fear.

It’s about awareness.

📊 A Quick Reality Check

Studies have shown that the average woman uses 10–12 personal care products per day, exposing herself to dozens (sometimes hundreds) of ingredients.

Not all of these are harmful…

But it does highlight something important:

👉 your daily exposure adds up

🌙 Why This Matters More in Midlife

During perimenopause, your body is already navigating:

• hormone fluctuations
• increased sensitivity
• changes in how your skin responds

So adding additional stressors — even small ones — can sometimes make a bigger impact.

This can show up as:

• increased irritation
• breakouts
• dryness
• or skin that just feels “off”

💛 This Isn’t About Throwing Everything Away

If you’re reading this and thinking…

“Now I need to replace everything I own…”

Let’s pause.

That’s not the goal.

You don’t need to do this perfectly.

And you definitely don’t need to do it all at once.

✨ How to Start Making More Supportive Choices

Instead of overhauling everything…

Start with awareness and small shifts.

Here are a few simple ways to begin:

🌿 Be mindful of “greenwashing”

Words like natural, clean, and non-toxic aren’t always regulated.

Flip the product over and look at the ingredient list when you can.

🌿 Be cautious with “fragrance”

Fragrance can be a mix of many undisclosed ingredients.

Opting for fragrance-free (not just unscented) can be a helpful step.

🌿 Watch for “long-wear” or “waterproof” claims

These often require stronger chemical formulations to last longer.

🌿 Use helpful tools

Apps like:
• Think Dirty
• EWG’s Healthy Living app

can give you a general idea of ingredient safety and help you compare products.

🌸 What I Personally Use and Recommend

As I’ve become more mindful of what I put on my skin, I’ve looked for products that:

✔ that contain wholesome ingredients
✔ are non-toxic and safe
✔ transparent with their ingredients

One brand I’ve personally love is With Simplicity.

What I appreciate about them:

• they focus on safer, more intentional ingredients
• their products are designed to support skin without unnecessary additives (zero fragrance, artificial colorants, animal by-products, mineral oil, paraben & phthalates)
• they offer both skincare and makeup options

And one of my favorite things?

👉 They offer a Discovery Kit where you can choose 7 samples to try

This makes it easy to experiment and see what works for your skin — without committing to full-size products right away.

They also have a skin quiz that helps guide you toward products based on your specific needs and goals.

Because at the end of the day…

👉 your skin is unique

And what works for someone else may not be what works best for you.

My recommendations?? Make sure to try the Blue Dew, Pro-Age Serum, and Vita-Eye Gel, plus all their makeup.

Head here to check them out and make sure to use code jaimes for 15% off your order: With Simplicity

🌿 Final Thoughts

Taking care of your skin in midlife isn’t about doing more.

It’s about being more intentional.

✨ paying attention
✨ making small shifts
✨ and choosing what feels supportive for your body

Over time, those small changes can make a meaningful difference to your skin, hormones, and overall health.

✨ Want to Start Your Spring Reset?

If you’re exploring how to create a life that better supports your body in midlife, this is just one piece of the puzzle.

Start with awareness.

Then take one small step.

That’s enough.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I personally use and trust.