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Dry, tight, uncomfortable skin can be more than just a surface issue—it’s often a signal that your skin barrier needs more support.
If you’ve noticed your skin is getting drier (especially during perimenopause or menopause), here are my personal go-to tips for increasing comfort, nourishment, and glow.
I know you’ve probably heard this so many times by now, but for changing skin that is getting increasingly drier, this is an easy place to start.
This is actually how Beauty by Ané Skincare started—I tried a face oil after years of avoiding it, it transformed my increasingly dry skin, and that is how Ané Glow in a Bottle Face Oil was born.
It’s also a relatively low-risk, high-reward addition to your routine—if for any reason your skin doesn’t love it, you can always use it on dry elbows, cuticles, hair ends—or even mixed into your body cream for added richness.
One of the reasons they work so well is that face oils—whether single plant oils or a blend like Glow in a Bottle—act as emollients. They help to soften the skin and seal in water, and support the skin with their rich fatty acid content, which is often exactly what dry skin needs.
If your current moisturiser doesn’t already include ceramides, plant oils like squalane, and cholesterol, it might be worth upgrading to one that does.
These ingredients mimic the key components of your skin barrier, and as oestrogen declines, so too does our natural production of these lipids. I’d also look out for Ectoin (great for skin stress and resilience) and ideally peptides for long-term skin support.
*** We’re making a fantastic moisturiser that includes all these components and more—I can't wait to share this with you, we're getting close!
You might start preferring a richer product texture overall.
This isn’t always about the active ingredients (like the ceramides and peptides mentioned above)—it often comes down to the functional ingredients used to create the skin feel, viscosity and “weight” of a product.
I don’t know about you, but isn’t that how we choose a product most of the time? If we don’t like the texture and feel of something, we’re not going to use it.
Texture is very subjective and can change depending on what your skin is going through. What feels light to me might feel rich to you (or vice versa), and that’s completely normal.
One way to easily increase the richness of your routine at home is to simply add a few drops of a face oil, like Glow in a Bottle, into your moisturiser or serum. I usually add 3–4 drops, and it just gives the product more spread and a more comforting feel on the skin.
(I also sometimes add a drop or two to my foundation, especially in winter. It gives such a beautiful, glowy finish.)
This is one way we work on the texture and richness of product in the lab—but here you can easily do it yourself.
Note: I don’t recommend adding face oil to your sunscreen, Retinoid, or any prescription products.
Another favourite of mine: leaving our beloved balm-to-oil cleanser—Radiance Reveal Cleansing Balm—on my skin for 10–15 minutes before rinsing.
I’ll do this in the evening while getting ready for bed or doing something else, and my skin always feels noticeably softer and more supple afterwards.
It’s a little bit of care that goes a long way.
Dry skin isn’t just about what you put on your face—it’s also about what’s happening beneath the surface.
Nutritional gaps, hormonal changes, and even low-grade inflammation can all contribute to skin that feels tight, flaky, or rough.
Here are some science-backed ways to nourish your skin from within:
Your skin’s lipid barrier relies on fats—especially omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
These help reduce inflammation and improve skin smoothness and hydration.
What to eat: Oily fish (like salmon and sardines), flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, avocado.
Supplements to try: Fish oil, krill oil, or algal oil (plant-based) with EPA/DHA.
Ceramides form over 50% of your skin’s barrier lipids—but levels drop with age.
Eat more: Brown rice, sweet potatoes, soy, beets.
Consider: Oral phytoceramide supplements (from rice or wheat extract), shown to improve hydration and elasticity after 4–6 weeks.
Dry skin often goes hand-in-hand with dehydration.
Tip: Don’t just drink more water—add electrolytes (like magnesium, potassium, and sodium) to improve water retention in your tissues.
Vitamin E – Protects skin lipids from oxidation (almonds, avocados, sunflower seeds).
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) – Sulphur-rich compound that supports barrier repair and collagen.
Vitamin C & Glycine – Critical cofactors for collagen and healthy skin structure.
Zinc & B Vitamins – Help reduce inflammation and maintain healthy oil production.
This is a question I get a lot: “How do I actually add lipids to my skin?” Let’s break it down.
Lipids are natural fats in your skin that help form the barrier layer—your skin’s defence against the outside world. The three main types are:
Ceramides
Cholesterol
Free fatty acids
Together, they make up the lipid matrix, which keeps moisture in and irritants out.
As we get older—and especially during perimenopause—our skin makes fewer lipids. This leads to:
Dryness and rough texture
Flakiness and itchiness
Increased sensitivity and redness
Topical skincare: Use moisturisers and face oils rich in:
Ceramides (skin-identical)
Phytosterols (from plant oils)
Cholesterol
Omega-rich oils like jojoba, macadamia, and squalane
Look for formulations that mimic skin’s own lipid structure—ideally in the 3:1:1 ratio of ceramides:cholesterol:fatty acids, as this has been shown to best support barrier recovery.
Face oils, like Glow in a Bottle, don’t “replace” lipids in a strict biological sense, but they help supplement what your skin is lacking, reinforce the outer layer, and prevent water loss.
Dry skin isn’t just about lack of water—it’s often a sign your skin needs more fatty (lipid) content.
Whether through your face oil, a richer moisturiser, or through the foods you eat and supplements you take (or all of the above), the goal is the same: to rebuild your skin's resilience from the outside and inside.
As I'm getting older I learn more and more that this is the best approach and the days of me relying on only skincare products alone are long gone.
One of the best parts of this more holistic inside-outside approach is that my whole body benefits, not just my skin.
When you care for your skin with intention and consistency, it becomes less about fixing a problem—and more about building long-term strength and health for beautifully ageing and changing skin.
You’ve chosen your perfect Vitamin C - now, how do you use it effectively?
In Part 3 of our 'Vitamin C For Midlife Skin Decoded' guide I’ve compiled the 16 most common questions about Vitamin C in skincare, from layering with Retinol and Niacinamide and how long it can take to see results, to when is best to use it in your routine - and much more.
This Q&A is your cheat sheet for making Vitamin C work hardest for your midlife skin.
You know Vitamin C is crucial for your 'collagen banking', but which product should you buy?
The difference between the five types—L-Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, and Ascorbyl Glucoside -can make or break your routine.
In Part 2 of our 'Vitamin C For Midlife Skin Decoded' guide, I break down the science of oil-soluble vs. water-soluble forms so you can shop smarter, avoid irritation, and invest in a stable serum that actually works for your sensitive, midlife skin.
Plus, a complete list of alternative ingredients if Vitamin C just isn't for you.
If you’re 35+ and noticing changes in firmness, brightness and resilience, this Part 1 guide explains why Vitamin C belongs in your morning routine with SPF.
Vitamin C is biologically indispensable: it is an essential co-factor for collagen synthesis and a master water-soluble antioxidant that neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution while regenerating Vitamin E (Tocopherol).
You’ll find a clear overview of the main forms used in skincare and who they suit: L-Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate or Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, and Ascorbyl Glucoside.
If your skin is sensitive or you prefer a different route, I share effective alternatives that support antioxidant defence and even tone without the sting.
