News flash: what we did in the '80s and '90s was not the best way to care for oily skin—especially when it comes to perimenopause oily skin and mature skin care routines.
If you had acne and oily skin growing up, you’re all too familiar with the idea of getting rid of all that oil by using an alcohol-soaked pad, only to have to do it again and again, every day, to continue battling that shine. But really, what did you accomplish? If you’re anything like me, I ended up drying out my skin, creating dry patches, and still had the acne I started with—a frustrating cycle that many women experience even more intensely during perimenopause skin changes.
When Perimenopause Brings Back Oily Skin: Understanding Hormonal Skin Changes
Fast forward to when I started going through perimenopause, still had oily skin, and gained the acne back due to hormone fluctuations. This combination of perimenopause and skin problems—specifically perimenopause skin breakouts and oily skin—is more common than you might think.
Instead of going back to the good old alcohol pad and making the increasing dry patches worse, I decided to start doing research into how I could truly help my skin heal itself and improve all those frustrating perimenopause skin symptoms. Through my research, I discovered that all those things the skin care industry told us when we were young are exactly the opposite of what we should be doing for skin during perimenopause.
The truth about hormonal skin changes: Stripping the oil from your skin also strips your skin barrier, diminishing its ability to stay moist and help it heal on its own. This is especially problematic for women experiencing perimenopausal sensitive skin alongside oil production issues.
The Oil Paradox: Why Adding Oil Helps Oily, Perimenopausal Skin
Your skin will try to overcompensate for being stripped of oil by producing…you guessed it…more oil. This creates a vicious cycle that’s particularly pronounced in perimenopause oily skin conditions where hormones are already causing sebum production fluctuations.
By giving your skin deep moisture in the form of a facial oil that is high in linoleic acid—also known as a “dry oil”—the need for your skin to produce large amounts of oil will start to calm down and become balanced. This approach is one of the best skin care options for perimenopause acne strategies because it works with your skin’s natural processes rather than against them.
In my quest to find the perfect moisturizer that would both balance my oily skin and moisturize my dry patches—a common concern for the best skin care products for perimenopausal skin—I decided to make my own. I spent years developing the perfect facial oil that would help my skin balance itself when it comes to oil production, calm the acne, deeply moisturize, and soften fine lines. This became essential to my perimenopause skin care routine.
Overcoming Skepticism: The Best Skincare for Menopausal Skin Can Include Oils
I know it’s hard to wrap your head around adding oil to oily skin to make it less oily—especially when you’re dealing with perimenopause skin issues. So I started giving my formulation to people who were very skeptical about using a facial oil, particularly those who’ve had both oily skin and bad experiences with facial oils in the past. They have become converts, discovering that the right oils are among the best mature skin care products for balancing combination skin during hormonal transitions.
The Perfect Skin Care Routine for Mature Skin with Oily Tendencies
A consistent, simple, and nourishing skincare routine for women over 40 is essential if you have oily skin during perimenopause. While you may want to use lighter products for moisturizing, you still want to be careful not to strip your skin of all the skin-barrier-protecting oils it naturally produces—a key principle in perimenopause skincare.
This means using mild, pH-balanced cleansers, like The Reset, designed for mature skin. To help your skin get both clean and nourished with the light moisture that will help your pores produce the right amount of oil to protect without turning into an oil slick, we recommend the following skincare routine for women over 50 and beyond:
Morning Routine for Oily Perimenopause Skin:
1. Cleanse:
Cleanse with a mild, pH-balanced cleanser, like The Reset, that does not contain soap—an important consideration for clean skin care for mature skin. This is critical because soap starts with lye, and when it converts into glycerin, it is very acidic. It will clean your skin, but it will also strip your skin barrier, causing it to become dry…and then try to overcompensate by producing too much oil.
2. Tone (optional but recommended):
Using a toner will give your skin lightweight moisture and rebalance your skin after cleansing. The best hydrating toner for mature skin will also help any moisturizer you apply afterwards to penetrate deeply without adding excess oil. Look for hydrating toner for mature skin formulations that contain hyaluronic acid and niacinamide—both excellent for managing oily skin perimenopause while providing necessary hydration.
3. Moisturize:
Moisturize with a lightweight lotion or oil that will seal in the moisture you provided (either the dampness from after cleansing or the toner). For the best moisturizer for dry menopausal skin that’s also dealing with oily zones, we recommend using a gel formulation like Tata Harper’s Hyaluronic Gel Moisturizer or our product, The Innovator.
The best hydrating moisturizer for mature skin with oily tendencies should be:
- Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
- Lightweight yet nourishing
- Rich in linoleic acid rather than oleic acid
- Free from heavy silicones that can trap oil
Consider the best hydrating serum for mature skin layered under your moisturizer for targeted treatment of dry patches while managing overall oiliness. Our serum, The Catalyst, works perfectly for this – just don’t forget Step 4!
4. Sunscreen:
Apply sunscreen! We can’t stress enough how important it is to use sunscreen every day as part of your skincare for menopausal skin routine—even if you live in a colder climate and it’s winter. This will both help protect you from sun damage (which accelerates skin changes during perimenopause) and potentially add other benefits, as many facial sunscreens have dual purposes nowadays.
We recommend Saint Jane’s Luxury Sun Ritual as it has an SPF of 30 and acts as an amazing hydrating primer for mature skin when you’re applying makeup. This provides sun protection without the heavy, greasy feeling that can exacerbate perimenopause oily skin concerns.
Evening Routine for Perimenopausal Skin Care:
At night, you can modify your skincare routine for women over 40 slightly to address both oiliness and the natural skin changes perimenopause brings:
1. Cleanse:
Start with an oil-based cleanser to dissolve makeup and sunscreen (yes, oil removes oil effectively!). The Reset can do this, and is a “double-cleanse in one” formula that includes a pH-balanced surfactant. The oils & butters in the The Reset will effectively remove your makeup and sunscreen (even mascara!) when used on dry skin just like a cleansing balm. Add a little water and circular motion with her hands and it foams, clearing away the makeup, removing the oil and leaving your skin clean and soft.
2. Treatment Step:
Add a treatment such as a night exfoliating serum with gentle AHAs or BHAs like The Catalyst. This is particularly beneficial for the best skin care for perimenopause because it:
- Helps clear pores prone to congestion from excess oil
- Addresses perimenopause skin breakouts
- Improves texture and reduces the appearance of perimenopause skin spots
- Supports cell turnover that slows during hormonal transitions
3. Moisturize:
Finish with a few drops of a well-formulated facial oil like The Innovator to wake up with smooth, glowing skin. Despite having oily skin, your mature skin still needs the right kind of moisture to support its barrier function—a cornerstone of effective perimenopause skin care.
Special Considerations: Addressing Multiple Perimenopause Skin Problems Simultaneously
Many women experience a combination of concerns during this transition. Your best skin care for perimenopause should address:
Oily Skin + Dry Patches
This combination is one of the most frustrating aspects of perimenopause dry skin management. The key is using lightweight, hydrating layers that provide moisture without triggering more oil production:
- Use the best hydrating moisturizer for mature skin in dry areas
- Apply lighter gel formulations to oily zones
- Consider the moisturizer for perimenopausal skin that offers dual-action benefits
Breakouts + Sensitivity
Perimenopause sensitive skin often accompanies breakouts, making traditional acne treatments too harsh. Look for:
- Gentle exfoliants (PHAs or low-concentration AHAs)
- Calming ingredients like niacinamide and centella asiatica
- The best skin care products for perimenopausal skin that are fragrance-free
Other Perimenopause Skin Symptoms
Don’t ignore less visible but equally frustrating issues:
- Perimenopause skin itching: Often caused by barrier disruption from over-cleansing oily skin
- Perimenopause skin sensitivity: Your skin’s tolerance may decrease even as oil production increases
- Skin changes in perimenopause: Including changes in pore size, texture, and tone distribution
Beyond Topical Care: Supplements and Lifestyle for Menopause Skin Care
While the right skincare for menopausal women is crucial, internal support matters too. Consider these supplements for menopause dry skin and overall skin health:
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Help regulate oil production and reduce inflammation
- Evening primrose oil: Supports hormonal balance that affects sebum production
- Vitamin B complex: Particularly B3 (niacinamide) for oil regulation
- Zinc: Helps control sebum production and supports healing of perimenopause skin breakouts
For natural approaches to dry skin menopause and oily zones, also explore:
- Staying hydrated (supports overall skin function)
- Managing stress (affects hormone levels)
- Getting adequate sleep (when skin repairs itself)
- Eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants
The Bottom Line: Modern Skincare for Perimenopause and Beyond
The best skincare for menopausal skin with oily tendencies is radically different from what we were taught in our youth. By understanding hormonal skin changes during perimenopause, you can make informed choices about your skin care routine for mature women.
Whether you’re dealing with perimenopause oily skin, combination concerns, or the full spectrum of perimenopause skin problems, remember: your skin is not broken. It’s simply navigating a biological transition that requires a different approach—one that nourishes rather than strips, balances rather than battles.
Expert Resources and Next Steps
For more evidence-based tips on managing oily skin during hormonal transitions, visit the American Academy of Dermatology Association to review 10 dos and don’ts from dermatologists on how to care for oily skin.
Ready to transform your approach to perimenopause skincare? Explore skincare for menopausal women formulations designed specifically for the unique challenge of managing oily skin during hormonal transitions. Because your skin deserves care that’s as sophisticated as the changes it’s navigating.
The journey to the best skin care for mature woman starts with understanding—and ends with a routine that truly works for your skin’s current needs, not what worked decades ago.
