Hormones & Skin: Adjusting Your Routine when everything goes haywire
At The Skin Care Clinic, we talk about hormones a lot — and for good reason. They shape how our skin looks, feels and behaves through every chapter of life. Between our team, we’ve just about covered every hormonal milestone you can imagine.
One of our therapists is about to welcome her first baby (and her exhausted glow is real!), another is navigating perimenopause and those unpredictable hormonal ups and downs, one’s long through menopause and knows all the tricks for keeping post-menopausal skin plump and bright — and our youngest team member in her twenties is still blessed with naturally radiant, bouncy skin.
These changes aren’t just interesting to us professionally — we live them. And that means when we recommend skincare to suit your stage of life, it comes from experience as much as expertise.
So, let’s talk about what actually happens to your skin during these key hormonal phases — and how to support it at every step.
- During Pregnancy: The “Glowing” (and Sometimes Tricky) Phase
- Perimenopause: The Rollercoaster Years
- Menopause: Skin Rebuilding Mode
- Your 20s: Building the Best Habits Early
- Tweens & Teens: The Hormone Wake-Up Call
During Pregnancy: The “Glowing” (and Sometimes Tricky) Phase
Pregnancy hormones are powerful — and unpredictable. Increased oestrogen and progesterone boost circulation and often give that famous pregnancy glow. But the same hormones can also trigger pigmentation (melasma), breakouts, sensitivity and dehydration.
What we’ve learned:
Our soon-to-be mum has swapped actives for gentle, nourishing support. She’s focused on barrier health, hydration and safe ingredients for both her and baby.
Try:
- Gentle cleansers and soothing moisturisers – think Aspect DR Mild Clean or Osmosis Quench to keep skin comfortable.
- Vitamin C / antioxidants – a pregnancy-safe brightener that helps with uneven tone such as Aspect DR Active C or Osmosis Replenish for an antioxidant boost.
- SPF every day – pigmentation prevention is key during this time, Airyday Pretty In Zinc is light and easy to wear every day.
Avoid:
- Retinol, strong acids and anything with questionable safety during pregnancy. It’s temporary — your glow will come back in new ways!
Perimenopause: The Rollercoaster Years
Perimenopause can feel like skin is changing week to week. Oestrogen levels start to fluctuate — and with that, your skin can swing between oily, dry, reactive and dull. Collagen production slows, and your skin barrier can become fragile.
What we’ve learned:
Our therapist in perimenopause describes it as “learning to listen to your skin all over again.” Some days she needs extra nourishment; other days, she needs calm and balance.
Try:
- Barrier-repairing serums and moisturisers – look for ceramides, squalane and peptides (like Medik8 Advanced Pro-Collagen and Osmosis Rescue).
- Niacinamide and antioxidants – to calm redness and strengthen resilience (like Aspect DR Multi B Plus).
- Adaptogens and probiotics – both internally and topically, they help balance the stress your skin’s under (Toskani Anti-Ageing + HA Ampoules and Osmosis Wellness Elevate) .
Avoid:
- Over-exfoliating. Skin in flux needs support, not stripping.
Menopause: Skin Rebuilding Mode
After menopause, oestrogen levels stay low — and the effects on skin become clearer. Collagen and elastin production drop, skin gets thinner and drier, and fine lines deepen. But the good news? With the right care, you can absolutely restore bounce, hydration and vitality.
What we’ve learned:
Our post-menopausal therapist swears by layering — “Serum first, rich cream second, SPF always.” She focuses on replenishment and long-term collagen support.
Try:
- Peptide-rich serums – Skinbetter Science InterFuse Lines or Medik8 Liquid Peptides Advanced MP work wonders.
- Hydrating creams – richer formulas with ceramides or hyaluronic acid such as SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 and Aspect Super Moisturising Complex.
- Vitamin A (retinoids) – the gold standard for improving texture, tone and firmness. Osmosis Correct or Medik8 Crystal Retinal are a great start.
Avoid:
- Skipping SPF! With thinner skin, UV damage accelerates ageing even more.
Your 20s: Building the Best Habits Early
Our youngest team member might not yet be dealing with hormonal chaos, but she’s setting her skin up beautifully for the future. Oestrogen is high, collagen is strong, and the goal is protection, balance and prevention.
What we’ve learned:
She focuses on daily sunscreen, antioxidants, and light exfoliation — nothing fancy, just consistency.
Try:
- Vitamin C + SPF – your best anti-ageing combo. Medik8 C-Tetra is good for youthful skin.
- Niacinamide – to maintain barrier health and keep breakouts at bay (such as Medik8 Hydr8 B5).
- A good cleansing routine – makeup wipes aren’t enough! Aspect Cleansing Micellar Water and Purastat 5 (if more blemish prone) are popular with younger skin.
Avoid:
- Overdoing active ingredients or skipping sunscreen (your future self will thank you).
Tweens & Teens: The Hormone Wake-Up Call
It starts earlier than most expect — that first burst of hormones during puberty can change skin fast. Sebum (oil) production ramps up, pores enlarge, and suddenly blackheads, breakouts and shine appear seemingly overnight.
What we’ve learned:
The biggest mistake is over-cleansing or over-treating young skin. Teens often want to “dry out” breakouts, but stripping the skin makes it produce even more oil. Our focus is gentle consistency, not harsh quick fixes.
Try:
- Gentle, pH-balanced cleansers – like or Aspect Cleansing Micellar Water or Medik8 Micellar Mousse.
- Lightweight hydration – something non-comedogenic like Aspect Sheer Hydration to keep skin balanced.
- SPF every morning – healthy habits start here! For girls the Airyday range (teens love the glow factor so they wear it) or We Are Feel Good Inc.
- Occasional exfoliation – once or twice a week with mild enzymes such as Osmosis Purify Cleanser when blemishes are appearing.
Avoid:
- Strong scrubs, high-strength acids and any harsh alcohol-based toners. Tweens and teens need education, not aggression, when it comes to skincare.
Clinic Tip:
We love helping parents and teens set up that first simple routine — just three steps done well (cleanse, moisturise, protect) are far more effective than a cupboard full of products. The first step is to teach your tweens to wash their face with water twice a day (no products when they’re tweens if possible), so they build up the routine of cleansing without stripping their skin. Another great tip – when you notice their increased oil production/acne starting, change/wash their pillowcases and hats/caps more often!
Our Takeaway
Hormones are powerful — and they don’t have to be the enemy. Whether you’re glowing, fluctuating, or rediscovering your skin after menopause, understanding how these changes affect your complexion makes all the difference.
At The Skin Care Clinic, we love guiding you through it because we’ve been there — all of us, in one way or another. Your skin story is unique, but you’re never navigating it alone.
Need help adjusting your skincare routine for where your hormones and skin are at right now? Book a consultation or message us — we’re here to help you find your glow at every age.
Still not sure?
Do you need more help or would like personalised advice? Book now for your consultation with a skin care advisor. Offering information on what skin care products are best for you. Check out our range of in-clinic services today.
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