Perimenopause Skin & Hair Guide

WHAT IS PERIMENOPAUSE?

Perimenopause is the hormonal rollercoaster that leads up to menopause — and it starts earlier than most people think. While the “average” age is mid-40s, hormonal shifts can begin as early as your late 30s. During this time, oestrogen and progesterone levels start to fluctuate unpredictably, and it's this instability that creates the chaos your skin and hair might be reflecting.

 

This isn’t menopause yet (you’re still getting periods, even if they’re all over the place), but it’s the transitional phase where your body is trying to figure out which way is up. Some months it’s a hormonal party, others a full-blown crash — and your skin and hair will absolutely let you know about it.

SIGNS + SYMPTOMS IN SKIN & HAIR

Here’s what you might start noticing:

SKIN CHANGES

●  Dryness and dehydration, even if you’ve been oily your whole life
●  Adult acne or hormonal breakouts around the chin and jaw
●  Redness, flushing, and increased sensitivity
●  Pigmentation and melasma that doesn't fade
●  Puffiness, dullness, and loss of glow
●  Slower healing and increased reactivity to products

HAIR + SCALP CHANGES

●  Hair thinning or shedding, particularly around the crown or part line
●  Dry, itchy, or flaky scalp
●  Hair losing its body, bounce, or curl pattern
●  More brittle hair that doesn’t feel as strong

WHAT’S ACTUALLY HAPPENING? (HORMONE CHANGES)

This is a hormonal imbalance phase, not a full decline yet. Oestrogen might spike one week and vanish the next, while progesterone slowly but surely decreases. Here's the hormonal breakdown:

●  OESTROGEN: Fluctuates dramatically, impacting collagen, hydration, and glow. When it dips, skin loses firmness, becomes dry and dull, and the scalp gets flaky.
●  PROGESTERONE: Gradually declines, impacting sebum control and barrier repair. Lower levels = more inflammation, more redness, and breakouts that linger.
●  ANDROGENS (like testosterone): Stay relatively stable, which means they can overpower the diminishing oestrogen/progesterone duo. The result? Adult acne, scalp oiliness, and hair thinning.
●  CORTISOL + STRESS: Chronic stress throws fuel on the hormonal fire. Cortisol disrupts barrier repair, increases inflammation, and worsens pigmentation.

ENZYMES + HORMONES: WHY YOUR SKIN STRUCTURE STARTS TO DECLINE

One of the lesser-known consequences of declining oestrogen during perimenopause is the activation of enzymes that break down the very building blocks of healthy, youthful skin. These enzymes — collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase — play a role in normal skin turnover, but when overactive, they begin to degrade collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid faster than your skin can rebuild them.

What Triggers Enzyme Overactivity?

During perimenopause, hormone levels fluctuate unpredictably. Oestrogen, in particular, plays a key role in regulating enzyme activity and maintaining skin integrity. When oestrogen levels drop, its protective effect is lost — and these enzymes become more active. Other contributing triggers include:

●  Chronic inflammation – From stress, gut imbalance, poor sleep, or inflammatory skin conditions
●  UV exposure – A major environmental stressor that accelerates enzymatic activity and collagen breakdown
●  Oxidative stress – Caused by pollution, smoking, and a lack of antioxidant defence
●  Excess sugar and glycation – High-sugar diets increase glycation, making collagen more prone to enzymatic degradation

The result? Visible thinning, loss of elasticity, dehydration, and a diminished skin barrier.

How to Calm + Counteract Enzyme Damage

Targeted skincare and in-clinic treatments can help regulate these enzymes and rebuild the skin’s foundational support systems. Key strategies include:

●  Proteoglycans – These act as enzyme inhibitors and protect the extracellular matrix from degradation. They also help rebuild structure and improve hydration.
●  Peptides – Short chains of amino acids that signal skin to repair itself and stimulate new collagen production
●  Antioxidants (e.g. Vitamin C, resveratrol, ferulic acid) – Protect against oxidative stress and reduce enzyme activation
●  Barrier-supporting ingredients – Including ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to reduce inflammation and maintain skin resilience
●  In-clinic treatments – Microneedling and mesotherapy encourage collagen regeneration, while LED light therapy helps reduce inflammation and support skin healing
●  Daily SPF – Essential to prevent UV-triggered enzyme activity and long-term damage

Supporting your skin through this hormonal shift requires a dual approach: calm the triggers, and strengthen the defences. With the right mix of ingredients and treatments, we can slow the rate of breakdown and re-establish the integrity, bounce, and glow your skin deserves.

BEST SKINCARE INGREDIENTS

Support and soothe is the name of the game. You’re not trying to fight your skin — you’re trying to support it through change.

●  Niacinamide – For calming redness, boosting barrier repair, and brightening dull skin
●  Peptides – To help support collagen and firmness when oestrogen dips
●  Ceramides + Fatty Acids – Essential for rebuilding the skin’s barrier and combatting dryness
●  Azelaic Acid – Reduces inflammation, helps hormonal breakouts, and fades pigmentation
●  Proteoglycans – These molecules help shield your skin from collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase — enzymes that accelerate signs of ageing when oestrogen declines
●  Hyaluronic Acid – Deep hydration that plumps and soothes dry or irritated skin
●  Lactic Acid or PHAs – Gentle exfoliation without stripping, especially when skin is reactive
●  Scalp Serums with Biotin, Sabal Serrulata, or Caffeine – To support hair follicle health and reduce thinning

TREATMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Clinical treatments that focus on calming, rebuilding, and regenerating are your go-to.

●  Lifting Code Facial – Restores hydration, boosts glow, and supports collagen  Book Now
●  Desense Barrier Recovery Facial – Perfect for redness, sensitivity, and reactive skin  Book Now
●  Microneedling + Mesotherapy – Encourage collagen, improve skin texture, and boost hair follicle function when done with the right actives Book Consultation
●  LED Therapy – Especially red and near-infrared light to reduce inflammation and improve healing Book Now
●  Scalp Detox + Hair Rescue Rituals – To gently stimulate follicles, hydrate scalp, and support thicker, fuller hair Book Now
●  Hormonal Skin Consult – A tailored plan that considers your full hormonal, lifestyle, and skin history Book Now

LIFTING CODE FACIAL

This revitalising facial directly supports skin in perimenopause - targeting loss of firmness, fine lines, and dullness with a potent blend of peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidant-rich plant extracts.

Combined with a physiotherapy-inspired massage to boost oxygenation and regeneration, it helps restore hydration, tone, and visible lift — all in a luxurious, deeply relaxing experience designed to leave you glowing and rebalanced.

Book Now

DESENSE BARRIER RECOVERY FACIAL

Designed for hormonally reactive skin, this calming treatment soothes redness, strengthens barrier function, and reduces sensitivity using a targeted blend of ceramides, peptides, and anti-inflammatory actives. With ingredients like glycyrrhetinic acid, aloe vera, and pentapeptide-59, all chosen to calm the skin’s inflammatory response - it’s ideal for perimenopausal skin experiencing flare-ups, dryness, or unexpected reactivity.

Luxurious, restorative, and clinically grounded, it helps bring fragile skin back to balance.

BOOK NOW

OUR GO-TO PRODUCTS FOR PERIMENOPAUSE

●  Toskani Proteoglycan Ampoules – Peptides, hydration, and barrier support in one

●  Toskani Radiance Mesoserum – Ideal for dullness, pigmentation, and rebuilding glow
●  Bioline Jato Desense Cream – Calms inflammation and strengthens skin
●  Bioline Jato Hyalu Boost 5 - Hydrates and plumps skin with five low-weight hyaluronic acids, niacinamide, and amino acids to boost elasticity and strengthen the barrier.
●  Airyday SPF 50+ – Because perimenopausal pigmentation and inflammation need daily sun protection (yes, even in winter)
●  Keune Hydrating Hair + Scalp Masks – Choose masks rich in panthenol or ceramides
●  Toskani Anti-Hair Loss Lotion – Targets shedding linked to hormonal shifts
●  Keune 2 Phase Spray - Lightweight daily spray that restores keratin, strengthens fibres, and reduces frizz and breakage linked to declining oestrogen.

EXTRA SUPPORT

Perimenopause is not a skin problem — it’s a hormonal shift that shows up in the skin. While we’re your go-to for skin and hair support, many women benefit from speaking to a GP or integrative health practitioner to explore hormonal balancing options like:

●  Herbal adaptogens (e.g. ashwagandha, chasteberry)
●  Nutrition to support gut and liver health (important for hormone clearance)
●  Stress reduction, regular movement, and sleep support
●  Blood testing to assess oestrogen, progesterone, thyroid, and nutrient status

You wouldn’t wait for a cavity to brush your teeth — so don’t wait for a full-blown hormonal crash to start supporting your skin.

HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED A PLAN?

Book a one-on-one consult with our team — we’ll create a tailored skin and hair ritual that meets you exactly where you're at. From soothing redness and reviving glow to supporting hair density and confidence.

Book a Consultation

The Best Skin Treatments for Perimenopause in Camden

If you’re experiencing changes to your skin and hair due to hormonal shifts, our perimenopause skin treatments in Camden NSW are designed to restore balance and confidence. At About Face, we proudly welcome clients from surrounding suburbs including Narellan, Mount Annan, Spring Farm, Harrington Park, Oran Park, Elderslie, Cobbitty, and Currans Hill. Our expert therapists understand how declining oestrogen levels can lead to dryness, sensitivity, loss of elasticity, and breakage. Using advanced formulas such as the Bioline Hyalu Boost for deep hydration and the Keune Keratin Smooth 2-Phase Spray to strengthen hair fibres, we deliver results-driven solutions tailored to your unique needs.

Our Camden skin clinic offers a full suite of services, from customised facials to luxury hair treatments, all designed to combat the common signs of hormonal fluctuations. Whether you’re looking for a perimenopause facial in Narellan, a hydrating treatment in Harrington Park, or expert advice on hair strengthening in Mount Annan, our highly trained team can help. Book an appointment today and discover why women across South West Sydney, including Gregory Hills, Smeaton Grange, and Leppington, trust About Face for exceptional care during life’s hormonal transitions.

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