If you’re in your 40s and suddenly battling breakouts again—you’re not alone.
I never had major acne as a teen, but when I hit 46, hormonal acne hit me like a truck. Painful, cystic breakouts that took forever to heal and left lingering marks—it was frustrating and made me feel helpless.
After lots of trial and error (and a few trips to the dermatologist), I finally found what works for my skin. And while everyone’s skin is different, I want to share what’s helped me minimize these flare-ups and support my skin through hormonal changes.
Here’s what’s made the biggest difference:
🌊 Hydration with Electrolytes – Internal hydration matters. Not just water, but minerals and electrolytes to support your skin barrier.
💊 Key Supplements
- Niacinamide – This has been a game-changer for skin clarity.
- Marine Collagen – Great for overall skin health and barrier support.
💧 Cerave Hydrating Toner – Using this consistently (especially post-shower) made a noticeable impact on my skin texture and tone. It’s gentle and doesn’t dry me out, which is huge if you’re also using retinol.
✨ Salicylic, AHA & BHA Pads – These help keep texture smooth, exfoliate dead skin, and support cell turnover—especially helpful in the luteal phase when estrogen drops and acne tends to spike.
🌙 Retinol (4x/week) – A powerhouse for both acne and anti-aging. I use it every other night to avoid irritation and dryness.
💡 Pro Tip: Introduce new products one at a time so you can pinpoint what’s truly working for your skin.
Most importantly—your skin journey is your own. What works for me may not be your perfect match, but I hope this gives you a strong starting point.
If you’re looking for more guidance on navigating perimenopause and menopause, I’ve created a free guide just for women 35+ called Thriving Over 35. It’s packed with tips on nutrition, supplements, exercise, and hormone support.
👉 Click here to grab the free guide.
Let’s stop just surviving this stage—let’s thrive.