If you’re in your 40s or 50s and looking in the mirror wondering why your skin suddenly feels different—you’re not alone. As a 60 year old woman and a skincare expert, I know this transition well. Our skin goes through so many changes during midlife, and many of them can feel like they happened overnight. But they didn’t. These shifts are often tied to what's happening beneath the surface: our hormones.

This post is here to empower, not shame. I believe skincare should support your skin—not try to erase the life you've lived. In this blog, we’ll explore exactly what hormonal changes are happening after 40, how they affect your skin, and what you can do to care for your evolving skin with compassion and confidence.

1. What Are Hormones and Why Do They Matter to Your Skin?

Hormones are powerful chemical messengers that affect nearly every system in the body—including your skin. The main ones influencing skin health are:

•    Estrogen: Boosts hydration, firmness, and elasticity
•    Progesterone: Supports balance and skin resilience
•    Testosterone (and androgens): Can trigger oiliness and hormonal acne if out of balance
•    Cortisol: Stress hormone that can lead to inflammation and breakdown of collagen

After 40, these hormones begin to shift—sometimes gradually, sometimes dramatically. And those shifts aren’t just internal—they show up right on your skin.

Explore how estrogen affects skin health in midlife

2. What Happens to Hormones After 40?

Around our 40s, many of us begin the perimenopausal transition. Estrogen and progesterone fluctuate wildly before eventually declining in menopause. This hormonal rollercoaster can:

•    Slow down cell turnover
•    Reduce natural oil production
•    Weaken the skin barrier
•    Affect collagen and elastin production

Meanwhile, cortisol levels can spike due to stress, and testosterone may become more dominant, leading to breakouts.

Learn about perimenopause skincare changes

3. How These Hormonal Shifts Show Up on Your Skin

Every woman’s skin is different, but here’s how these hormonal changes often appear:

•    Dryness & Dehydration: Less estrogen = reduced oil production
•    Loss of Firmness: Collagen and elastin slow down
•    Hormonal Acne: Breakouts along the jawline, chin, and cheeks
•    Hyperpigmentation & Age Spots: Hormones can trigger melasma
•    Increased Sensitivity: A weaker barrier means more reactivity

This stage of life isn’t a battle—it’s an invitation to reconnect with your skin and what it needs.

Tips for managing hormonal acne naturally

4. How to Support Your Skin Through Hormonal Changes

Midlife skincare isn’t about fighting—it’s about nurturing. Here’s how to work with your skin, not against it:

•    Hydrate Deeply: Choose products with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and bioadaptive plant oils.
•    Gentle Exfoliation: Try lactic acid or fruit enzyme exfoliants—skip harsh scrubs
•    Repair & Replenish: Use fatty acid-rich oils like rosehip and Squalane to strengthen your barrier.
•    Target Breakouts Gently: Balance active ingredients like salicylic acid with soothing botanicals.
•    Sun Protection: Hormonal skin is more prone to pigmentation—SPF daily is a must.

As a skincare formulator, I believe in the power of bioadaptive, plant-based serum oils—formulated to meet your skin’s changing needs head-on. And as a woman in midlife, I know the power of finding products that respect your journey.

Shop my bioadaptive serum oil collection

5. Lifestyle Support for Hormonal Skin

Your skin’s story isn’t just about what you put on it. Lifestyle plays a big role:

•    Eat for Skin Health: Omega-3s, leafy greens, and antioxidant-rich foods.
•    Manage Stress: Journaling, yoga, or walks in nature help lower cortisol.
•    Prioritize Sleep: Skin repairs overnight—make rest a priority.
•    Stay Hydrated & Move: Consistent movement and water intake keep your skin happy
This is the time to nourish every part of you—body, mind, and skin.

 

Read the full lifestyle and skin connection guide

6. Embrace the Skin You’re In

Every line, spot, and shift tells a story. Your story is beautiful. Skincare at this stage isn’t about hiding age—it’s about celebrating how far you’ve come.

Explore our Aging Well philosophy
Browse the blog for more pro-aging tips

Hormonal changes after 40 can feel confusing—but they’re normal. And they’re a call to honor your skin, not fight it.

That’s why I created my bioadaptive serum oils—to work with your evolving skin and bring it back to balance.

Here’s what Maria B. shared: “I love GLOW serum oil! It keeps my skin hydrated and feeling very nourished. The tone and texture of my skin has definitely benefited since I started using this great serum oil!”

👉 Download the free Midlife Glow Guide for simple, effective tips to support your skin naturally.
👉 Explore the full serum oil collection to find your perfect match.

Let’s age well, together. 💛