They say time flies, but it isn’t until I’m standing at the vanity with my daughter that I truly see it. There is something so special about the ritual of getting ready together—passing down the “secrets” my mom shared with me—while she teaches me a thing or two about the latest trends.

It reminds me that skincare isn’t just about vanity; it’s a form of self-respect that spans generations. While she’s focused on prevention and that “clean girl” glow, I’m navigating the shifts that come with perimenopause. Our needs might be evolving in different directions, but the foundation is the same: Taking the time to feel good in your own skin.

Best Anti-Aging Secrets: At-Home Skincare Favorites

This post was originally published in 2021, but let’s be real—life changes, and so does our skin! I’ve updated this facial guide for 2026 to focus on what our skin needs as we move into perimenopause (hello, hormonal changes!) and added some of my new favorite finds to keep things simple and effective.

We are officially in the perimenopause era, and our skincare needs to keep up! Since we don’t always have time for a full day at the spa, I’m bringing the spa to you. Here is my updated at-home facial routine specifically designed to tackle perimenopausal skin changes while keeping that youthful glow.

These years are about building a shield—not just against aging, but against the internal hormonal shifts that try to knock us off balance. The steps I’ve added to my routine lately aren’t just about vanity; they are about maintenance for the “equipment” that carries me through my workouts and my life. Here is the updated protocol for glowing, resilient skin during perimenopause.

The Hormonal Shield

Understanding the shift from estrogen dominance to hormonal balance.

The “Shadow” Check: Managing Perimenopausal Facial Hair

It is a biological fact that as estrogen levels drop during perimenopause, the ratio of androgens (like testosterone) increases. According to the Cleveland Clinic and the British Menopause Society, this hormonal imbalance often triggers Hirsutism, or the growth of coarser, darker facial hair in women.

While you’re at the mirror, check the lighting for any “stray” guests. Hormonal shifts often mean unexpected facial hair. For a smooth, exfoliated canvas, I’ve been using Flamingo Face Wax Strips or their Deep Nourishing Cream. It’s the easiest way to handle those perimenopause chin hairs at home without the salon price tag.

Dermaplaning: The Secret to Collagen and Instant Glow

Besides the first point, if you aren’t dermaplaning yet, let this be your sign to start. When it comes to dermaplaning, Flamingo is my go-to. As we move into perimenopause, our cell turnover slows down significantly. This can lead to a “dull” complexion and skincare products that just sit on the surface instead of actually absorbing.

Dermaplaning is a gentle form of manual exfoliation that removes the top layer of dead skin cells and—my favorite part—the “peach fuzz.”

Research in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology suggests that physical exfoliation enhances the “permeability” of the skin. By removing the physical barrier of dead cells and vellus hair, you are essentially shortening the path for active ingredients like Vitamin C and Peptides to reach the deeper layers of the epidermis. Plus, it eliminates the “shadow” that can sometimes appear around the mouth or chin due to hormonal shifts.

Solving the Estrogen Drop: Why You’re Breaking Out Again

If you feel like you’re suddenly dealing with teenage skin in your 40s, you aren’t imagining it. Hormonal breakouts during perimenopause are a real “glitch in the system.”

As we move through this transition, our estrogen levels begin to dip, while our testosterone levels remain relatively stable. This creates a “hormonal imbalance” where androgens (male hormones) take the lead. These androgens signal your sebaceous glands to produce more oil (sebum). When that excess oil mixes with the slower cell turnover we discussed earlier, you get the perfect storm for deep, cystic breakouts—usually concentrated along the jawline and chin.

Why “Teenage” Acne Treatments Don’t Work: The mistake most of us make is reaching for the harsh, drying benzoyl peroxide treatments we used in high school. But perimenopausal skin is thinner and loses moisture faster. Those aggressive treatments can actually damage your skin barrier, leading to more inflammation and even “inflammaging”—a process where chronic irritation accelerates the appearance of fine lines.

The Perimenopause Acne Strategy:

• Targeted Relief: Instead of drying out your whole face, use a localized treatment. I’ve been using the Harry’s Targeted Blemish Treatment because it uses a controlled 2% Salicylic Acid to dissolve the oil plug without wrecking the surrounding skin.

• Balance the Barrier: Focus on anti-inflammatory ingredients like Niacinamide or Aloe. This is where the Harry’s Post-Shave Mist or the Flamingo Light Hydrating Spray comes in—they calm the “flare-up” and reduce the redness associated with hormonal cysts.

• Internal Support: This is also why I link back to my Perimenopause Guide. Supporting your hormones through nutrition and stress management is the long-term “shield” that prevents these breakouts from starting in the first place.

The takeaway? Don’t fight your skin—support it. Your breakouts aren’t a sign that you’re “dirty” or “failing”; they are a signal from your body that your hormones are shifting. Treat them with the same grace and precision you bring to your workouts.

The “Armor” Mindset: Fitness as Your First Line of Defense

Before we even get to the serums, as I mentioned in my Perimenopause Guide, the strongest layer of skincare there is: Movement.

For me, a workout isn’t just about fitness; it’s my armor. It’s the hour of the day where I build the mental and physical shield I need to show up for my kids, my businesses, and myself. Especially moving through perimenopause, that sweat is a biological reset. It flushes toxins, boosts circulation (hello, natural glow!), and helps regulate the hormones that try to throw us off balance.

But, when you treat your body like a shield, you have to maintain the equipment. Heavy sweat and high-intensity movement mean your skin needs a specific kind of recovery. Enter: The Post-Battle Recovery: Flamingo Light Hydrating Spray

When you’ve pushed your limits, your skin can feel depleted and overheated. This spray is like a weightless “cool down” for your body. It’s a super fine mist, so fine you can spray it over your face and body for instant relief without that heavy, sticky feeling of traditional lotions.

Why it’s a Perimenopause Must-Have:

• Instant Cooling: Perfect for that post-workout “afterburn” (or a sudden hot flash).

• 360-Degree Spray: It works upside down, so you can actually reach your own back after a lifting session.

• Clean Ingredients: It uses white willow bark to soothe inflammation and papaya extract to gently brighten.

It’s the ultimate “low-maintenance, high-result” step that fits perfectly into a busy schedule.

Secure Your Glow: Grab the Light Hydrating Spray on Amazon and use code HPOWELL25 for 25% off (and the code stacks if there is an onsite deal) NOW through June 1st.

The Ultimate “Internal” Facial: Prioritizing Deep Sleep

If there is one thing perimenopause likes to disrupt, it’s our sleep. But here’s the truth: you can have the most expensive serums in the world, but if you aren’t hitting those deep sleep cycles, your skin can’t repair itself.

During rest, your body experiences a surge in growth hormones that help repair damaged cells and produce collagen. When we’re deprived of that “beauty sleep,” our cortisol levels spike, which can lead to more breakouts and faster collagen breakdown.

My Nightly Sleep Ritual:

• Cool the Room: Perimenopause night sweats are real. I keep the bedroom cool to help my body transition into deep sleep.

• The “Power Promise” Wind-Down: I treat my evening skincare routine as a ritual to signal to my brain that the day is done.

• Nature-Inspired Calm: Just like our products are inspired by nature, I lean into natural magnesium or herbal teas to help ground my nervous system before bed.

Pro-Tip: If you’re struggling with those 3:00 AM wake-up calls, don’t stress—that just raises your cortisol more! Instead, focus on the quality of the rest you do get. Your skin will thank you with a brighter, less inflamed complexion in the morning.

Ultimately, navigating your 40s isn’t about trying to revert to your 20s—it’s about optimizing the incredible woman you are right now. By shifting your mindset from “fixing” to shielding, you empower yourself to handle the hormonal ebbs and flows of perimenopause with grace and strength.

Whether it’s through the precision of a dermaplaning ritual, the discipline of a heavy lifting session, or the simple act of prioritizing a cooling mist after a hot flash, every choice you make is a deposit into your long-term resilience. Your skin is the outward reflection of your internal foundation, so continue to build that armor, protect your peace, and honor the skin you’re in.

May this season be one of your strongest, most radiant chapters yet.

xo,

Related reading:

Anti-Aging Secrets: Hydrate Your Skin
Our 12 Month Transformation, Month Three: Hydration!
Sweet Lips Speak Kind Words: Spreading Love. Not Gossip.
Anti-Aging Secrets: Embrace Your Perfectly Imperfect Skin
Best Anti-Aging Secrets: Why You Can’t Skip the Lip