How free would you feel if you could work-out without worrying about the way you look, grab some groceries without having to get βreadyβ, take your dog out without worrying about who would see you bare-faced?Β It is FREEDOM!!!
It's not only about looks though! Proper skin careΒ is essential to firstly, keep our barrier intact against infections and secondly to keep ourselves feeling good about our appearance. The skin is the largest organ in the body; it is continuously working for our protection.
The skin cells are shed routinely, making proper skincare a necessity to get rid of the dead cells as well as making sure it is not too dry, or dull.Β
The signs of ageing and the effects of the sun are the first to appear on the skin. Most of us are too busy to cure the underlying conditions and resort to makeup and still do not see what we would like to see! Right? Believe me, youβre not alone in this.
We can do a lot to keep our skin and body as a whole, healthy and glowing. But today I am picking 3 steps that you may be missing in your routine but they can change entirely how your skin looks and feels!Β
DIY Skin Masks
If you curate the ingredients carefully, a DIY face mask can be the superfood smoothie of your skincare routine. Whatever is your skin type or skin condition, you can get instantly glowing skin if you pick the right ingredients, right off your kitchen table. Plus, they are easy to use, economical and they are less likely to have any skin reaction. From yogurt to lemon to honey to aloe vera your kitchen is full of ingredients that can brighten your skin instantly!
Just invest 20-30 min in a week where you can prepare a fresh face mask and see how your skin saves you a lot of spa trips!
Leave in comments, if you would like me to share a few DIY homemade mask recipes!
Face SerumsΒ
Β
There is no better idea than adding face serum to your skincare routine. A serum, or concentrate, is a lightweight skincare product with a high concentration of active ingredients to address and target specific skin concerns. For example; lines and wrinkles. DO NOT confuse serums with moisturizers! Mosturizers create a barrier for the skin hydration but they do not go inside your skin to repair skin cells. Think of serums as food for your skin and moisturizers as clothes to protect your skin!
To fight aging signs, use Vitamin C serum daily once or twice! It boosts collagen production, fight free radicals to slow the ageing process and you will discover brightened and tightened skin, reduced fine lines and wrinkles, alleviated hyperpigmentation! Isnβt it great?
My favourite skincare tip: Invest in serums, use less primer, less foundation, and less highlighter!
Β SPF
Exposure to the sunlight is the most important factor contributing to the dullness of the skin. Not only does it make you look dull, but also, sunlight exposure for increased periods is associated with many skin related problems like sunburn, or even worse skin cancer. It is essential to wear sunblock before going out in the sun.
Use min SPF 30 everyday, whether you are inside or outside, whether itβs rainy or sunny! SPF shields from sunβs harmful UV rays and protects essential skin proteins - collagen, keratin, and elastin. What you will see is a younger looking, radiant, and healthy skin, while you are out in the sun doing what you enjoy!
Interesting fact: Studies reveal that people who used sunscreen regularly had 24% lesser chances of developing aging signs than non-sunscreen and occasional sunscreen users.
Tip of the lifetime: To optimize UV protection, combine SPF with a topical antioxidant Vitamin C serum & hydra riche skin serum. When sunscreen and vitamin C are applied together, their benefits multiply. Make them your best friends!
Conclusion
There are SO MANY things that you can do to keep your skin looking lovely. Makeup is not a necessity and we can look dewy, glows, and radiant without any at all! All we need is proper skincare which we can incorporate in our daily lives without the expensive and time-consuming spa visits! Iβll just leave it at that!
If youβre in your 40s or 50s and thinking: βWhy is my skin suddenly so dry?β
Β βWhy does everything sting now?β
Β βWhy did my old moisturiser stop working?β
β¦thatβs a real shift, and itβs common.
During perimenopause and menopause, skin often becomes drier and more reactive, which can make the barrier feel like itβs constantly βon edge.β In these phases, your skin does not need more actives - it need more resilience.
Thatβs where triple lipid barrier repair moisturisers come in (also called lipid replacement or barrier lipid therapy). The idea is simple:
Replenish the skinβs natural lipids in a balanced way so it can hold water, stay calm, and tolerate your routine again.
As formulators, this is the exact reason we built superSupple - not as a βresults overnightβ product, but as a daily barrier stabiliser. Weβll reference it as a real-world example (without turning this into a sales pitch), and you can use this guide to evaluate any product.
In a Hurry? Start Here⦠The 4 Things To Look For
If youβre in perimenopause/menopause and your skin is suddenlyΒ tight, flaky, stingy, or βreacting to everything,β youβre not doing anything wrong. Your skin is just asking for barrier support, not more actives
Hereβs the simple checklist Iβd use:
Step 1: Look for the βBarrier Trioβ - Ceramides + Cholesterol + Fatty Acids (this is what βtriple lipidβ really means)
Step 2: Add hydration that lasts - If youβre stuck in the βmoisturisedβ¦ then dry againβ loop, look for PGA (polyglutamic acid) + saccharide isomerate (they help hydration feel steadier on sensitive skin)
Step 3: Stop the daily triggers (for now) - Pause the stuff that keeps your barrier stressed: over-exfoliating, stacking actives, harsh cleansing, hot water, fragranceΒ
Step 4: Keep your routine simple and consistent for 2 weeks
Β Β Β - Gentle cleanse β barrier moisturiser β SPF (AM)
Β Β Β - Gentle cleanse β barrier moisturiser (PM)
Β
The Longer Story (Worth It)
Why perimenopause and menopause can make skin drier (and more sensitive)
Hormone shifts can change how skin behaves - especially its ability to:
retain moisture
feel comfortable day-to-day
reover after stress (actives, weather, cleansing, heat)
The result often looks like: tightness, flaking, redness, stinging, and βmy skin canβt tolerate what it used to.β Even people who were oily for decades can become oily-but-dehydrated (surface dryness + uncomfortable shine).
This is why βbarrier-firstβ becomes such a powerful strategy in midlife: when the barrier is supported, everything else becomes easier.
Β
What is the skin barrier, really?
Think of the outermost layer like a brick wall:
Bricks = skin cells
Mortar = lipids (fats) that hold everything together
When the βmortarβ is depleted or out of balance, water escapes and irritants get in. You may notice:
products stinging that never used to sting
dry patches that donβt respond to basic moisturisers
tightness after cleansing
redness or βflushy heatβ
makeup sitting worse than usual
βmoisturised for an hourΒ β dry againβ
Β
The 3 barrier lipids (Triple Lipid) your skin actually uses
1) Ceramides - the βsealantsβ:Β Ceramides help reduce water loss and support the barrierβs structure.
Low-ceramide vibes: dryness that returns quickly, rough patches, sensitivity spikes
2) Cholesterol -the βorganiserβ :Β Cholesterol supports flexibility and repair - a barrier canβt function well if itβs brittle.
Low-cholesterol vibes: tightness, reactivity, βmy skin canβt bounce backβ
3) Free fatty acids -the βsmoothersβ :Β Fatty acids support barrier integrity and comfort, improving softness and resilience.
Low-fatty-acid vibes: flaking, dullness, uncomfortable dryness, rough texture
Hereβs the simple but important distinction:Β Hydration fills the tank. Lipids fix the tank.
Many moisturisers hydrate well, but when midlife skin becomes sensitive, it often needs lipids to actually hold onto hydration and remain calm.
Β
Whatβs with ratios like β2:4:2β?
You might see ratios describing the balance of ceramides : cholesterol : fatty acids.
The takeaway isnβt βhunt for a perfect ratio.β Itβs:
Balance matters
Consistent tolerance matters more than chasing a trend
If your skin is reactive, the βbestβ triple lipid is the one you can use daily without stinging.
Β
In midlife, βhydration styleβ matters as much as hydration amount
A big frustration in perimenopause/menopause dryness is that hydration can feel:
great for 30β60 minutesβ¦ then gone
or worse: βhydratingβ products can sting because the barrier is stressed
Thatβs why we like pairing barrier lipids with long-wear hydration that feels steady.
PGA (Polyglutamic Acid) / Glycerine / Hyaluronic acid
A humectant that helps hold water at the surface and gives a cushiony comfort feel - especially when skin feels tight or sensitised.
Saccharide Isomerate (prebiotic-style hydrator)
A sugar-derived hydrator known for long-lasting moisture, helpful if you get the βdry again in two hoursβ cycle. Itβs often positioned as microbiome-friendly and sustained release of hydrator keeping moisture in for 72 hours.
These donβt replace lipids - they support comfort while the barrier rebuilds.
Β
What a βmidlife barrier repairβ formula looks like (example)
A lot of βbarrier creamsβ rely mainly on heavy occlusion. That can feel soothing, but a midlife barrier-support formula often works best as a system:
Example (our approach inΒ superSupple):
β’ A balanced tri-lipid system (ceramide + cholesterol + free fatty acids)
β’ Hydration supporters like glycerin + propanediol
β’ Panthenol for comfort support
β’ Ectoin for βoverstimulated skinβ phases
β’ PGA for cushiony water-holding feel
β’ Saccharide isomerate for long-wear hydration between applications
Why this matters: triple lipids help rebuild the βmortar,β while PGA + saccharide isomerate help midlife dryness feel less relentless day-to-day.
(Not a requirement to choose superSupple β use this as a blueprint for what to look for.)
Β
Who benefits most from triple lipids in perimenopause/menopause?
Youβre a strong candidate if:
β’ your skin became drier and more sensitive in your 40s/50s
β’ you get stinging from products you used to tolerate
β’ you reapply moisturiser constantly
β’ your skin feels raw after cleansing
β’ youβre using retinoids/exfoliants but canβt tolerate them anymore
β’ you feel stuck in βcalm for a day β flare againβ
Β
The most common mistake: adding barrier products but keeping barrier stress
If youβre rebuilding sensitivity-prone midlife skin, youβll usually do better by temporarily reducing:
β’ frequent exfoliation (AHA/BHA stacks)
β’ βactive cocktailsβ in one routine (vit C + retinoid + acids)
β’ harsh cleansing, hot water, long cleansing routines
β’ fragranced products / essential oilsΒ
Barrier repair works best when skin isnβt being re-triggered daily.
Β
A barrier-repair routine for perimenopause/menopause dryness (AM/PM)
Morning (steady + protective)
1. Gentle cleanse (or rinse if very dry)
2. Triple lipid moisturiser (thin layer)
3. Sunscreen
Night (repair-focused)
1. Gentle cleanse
2. Triple lipid moisturiser
3. Optional: add a simple oil on top if youβre very dry
If youβre using retinoids: Try the βsandwichβ: moisturiser β retinoid β moisturiser, and lower frequency before increasing strength.
Β
FAQs
Q: My skin is suddenly dry and reactive in perimenopause - what moisturizer should I use?
A: Perimenopause can make skin feel βsuddenlyβ drier and more reactive because hormonal shifts can reduce natural oils and slow barrier recovery. The best place to start is a barrier-repair moisturizer that does two things:
Replaces missing skin lipids: look for ceramides + cholesterol + fatty acids (a βtriple lipidβ blend).
Limits irritation: choose fragrance-free, no essential oils, and no βtinglyβ actives if youβre sensitized.
If your skin is flaring, keep the routine boring for 2β3 weeks: a gentle cleanser, one barrier moisturizer, and daily sunscreen. Once your skin feels calm again, you can reintroduce actives slowly.
Quick rule: If your moisturizer stings on application, your barrier likely needs support first.
Β
Q: How do I know if my skin barrier is "damaged vs just dry?β
A: Dry skin and a damaged barrier overlap, but there are tell-tale differences.
It might be βjust dryβ if:
Tightness improves quickly after moisturizer
You donβt get stinging/itching from basic products
Flaking is mild and predictable (like winter dryness)
It might be barrier-impaired if you notice:
Stinging/burning when applying products (even ones youβve used before)
Redness, itchiness, or rashy patches
Skin feels dry again within hours, no matter what you apply
Youβve recently increased exfoliants/retinoids or over-cleansed
Makeup suddenly sits weird, pills, or highlights texture
Simple at-home test: Apply a plain, fragrance-free moisturizer to slightly damp skin. If it stings or your face feels βhot,β prioritize barrier repair before adding actives.
Β
Q:Β What ingredients actually repair the barrier?
A: When we say βbarrier repair,β we mean helping the outer layer of skin (stratum corneum) rebuild its protective structureβoften described asΒ βbricks and mortar.β The βmortarβ is largely lipids, and the most important ones to replenish are:
Ceramides: help seal gaps and reduce water loss
Cholesterol: supports flexibility and barrier organization
Fatty acids: help complete the lipid matrix and strengthen barrier function
Thatβs why ceramides + cholesterol + fatty acids together is such a powerful combo (often called triple lipid support).
Other barrier-supportive helpers (especially for sensitive midlife skin):
Humectants (glycerin, propanediol, polyglutamic acid) to pull water into skin
Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) to soothe and support recovery
Ectoin (often used to reduce stress/inflammation feeling in reactive skin)
Prebiotics (like saccharide isomerate) to support a balanced, comfortable skin environment
Β
Q: Whatβs a good fragrance-free moisturizer for eczema-prone or very sensitive skin?
A: If youβre eczema-prone or extremely sensitive, aim forΒ fragrance-free, barrier-first formulas and avoid common irritants.
Look for:
Fragrance-free (and no essential oils)
Triple-lipid support (ceramides + cholesterol + fatty acids)
Soothing, low-irritation ingredients (panthenol, ectoin, gentle humectants)
A texture that feels comfortingβnot βactiveβ or tingly
Be cautious with:
Strong botanical fragrance components (lavender, citrus oils)
Overuse of exfoliants/retinoids during flares
Too many new products at once (introduce one at a time)
Pro tip: Patch test behind the ear or on the jawline for 2β3 nights, especially if your skin is currently reactive.
(And as alwaysβif you have true eczema flares or broken skin, itβs worth checking in with a dermatologist.)
Β
Q:Β How can I use tretinoin / retinol without irritation? Whatβs the sandwich method?
A: Barrier support is often the missing piece for people using tretinoin (or retinoids) who feel dry, irritated, or flaky.
The sandwich method is a simple way to reduce irritation:
Apply a thin layer of moisturizer on clean, dry skin
Apply a pea-sized amount of tretinoin (avoid corners of nose, mouth, and eyelids)
Finish with another thin layer of moisturizer
Two important details:
Start slow: 2β3 nights/week, then increase only if your skin is calm.
Wait until skin is dry before tretinoin if youβre sensitiveβapplying on damp skin can increase irritation.
If youβre still peeling or stinging: cut frequency, simplify everything else, and use a barrier-repair moisturizer daily until your skin feels steady again.
Β
Q: How long does barrier repair take?Β What to avoid during a barrier βresetβ?
A: Firstly AVOIDΒ strong exfoliating acids, harsh scrubs, high-fragrance products, and stacking too many actives at once to start barrier repair
You'll notice improvement
In 3β7 days: many people notice less tightness, less βsting,β and skin feels calmer if they stop irritants and simplify the routine.
In 2β4 weeks: flaking and rough texture often improve, and your skin holds moisture better.
In 4β8+ weeks: deeper resilience buildsβskin is less reactive to products and environmental triggers.
Signs youβre healing: products sting less, redness reduces, makeup sits better, dryness doesnβt come back within a few hours.
Simple βbarrier resetβ for 2 weeks: gentle cleanser β barrier-repair moisturizer (AM/PM) β sunscreen (AM). Once your skin feels stable, reintroduce actives slowly (every 3rd night β every other night, etc.).
Β
If youβre rebuilding your barrier, choose one triple lipid moisturiser and commit to it for a couple of weeks while you simplify everything else.
If you want a sanity check, write to us at welcome@pureandcimple.com with:
your top 3 symptoms (tightness? sting? flakes? heat?)
whether youβre using retinoids/exfoliants
your current AM/PM routine
Weβll suggest a simple barrier-first routine - even if that means using what you already own.
During menopause, skin loses up to 30% of its collagen in just 5 years. Peptides are the gentle, science-backed solution that stimulates collagen production without the irritation of retinolβperfect for sensitive, mature skin experiencing hormonal changes.
Your favorite moisturizer burns. Water stings. Even your gentlest cleanser leaves you red and angry.
If this sounds familiar, you're not suddenly "allergic to everything"βyour skin barrier is damaged, and there's a critical difference between this and normal dry or sensitive skin. For women over 40, hormonal changes make barrier damage more likely yet harder to identify, leading many to treat the problem incorrectly for months.
Understanding this distinction could be the key to finally getting your skin back on track. Damaged barriers require a completely different approach than typical dryness, and using the wrong strategy will only make the problem worse.
Ready to decode what your skin is really telling you?
Β Β 
