Your moisturiser hasn’t changed. Your skin feels different anyway. It feels tight after cleansing, becomes irritated more easily or seems less firm. Before replacing your entire routine, it’s worth asking what has actually changed.
During menopause, falling oestrogen levels can contribute to drier, thinner and less elastic skin. Cooler days and dry indoor air can make that tight feeling more noticeable. Not every woman experiences the same changes. And not every skin change is down to hormones. Skin during menopause, Caring for dry skin.
That’s why I look beyond your moisturiser. I want to know how your skin feels, what you already use and what bothers you. Is dryness the main concern? Is your skin irritated? Or would you like it to look firmer? These are different concerns, and they don’t all need the same approach.
Hydration and firmness are not the same thing
Glycerin and hyaluronic acid help retain water in the skin. Ceramides are lipids that form part of its natural barrier. A suitable moisturiser containing ingredients like these can support dry skin. What matters is the formula as a whole, not the ingredient featured most prominently on the packaging. Humectants and lipids, Ceramides and the skin barrier.
For everyday care, that means gentle cleansing, a moisturiser your skin tolerates well and sun protection during the day. Broad spectrum protection with at least SPF 30 matters in autumn too. If your skin already stings or flakes, adding another exfoliant is not automatically a good idea. AAD skincare guidance.
But a moisturiser cannot do everything. Improving hydration and addressing a loss of firmness are two different goals.
Where Forma can help
Forma is one of the treatments we like to use at FACIALIST when the aim is firmer looking skin. A handpiece moves across the skin, using radiofrequency to generate controlled heat in the tissue, without needles. This heat is intended to stimulate collagen remodelling. Collagen is a structural protein that helps support the skin. How Forma works.
It can be a useful addition to daily skincare. However, Forma does not replace moisturiser or sunscreen, and it does not treat the hormonal cause of these changes.
I want you to know what to expect. A small study of Forma found improvements after a series of treatments. It was not a large comparative trial, nor did it specifically establish effectiveness for menopausal skin. It cannot promise a particular result for you. Forma study.
We first check whether the treatment suits your skin, health and goals. There is no single maintenance schedule that fits everyone, either. We assess together whether further appointments make sense. Forma cannot stop skin ageing.
Not every skin concern calls for heat
If your skin is mainly dry and sensitive, an individually tailored Tailormade Facial may be a more suitable starting point. We choose the cleansing and skincare steps according to your skin’s current condition. Both these facials and Forma are part of our treatment range, but they serve different purposes.
If your skin is noticeably irritated, the first step is to understand why. Persistent stinging, severe itching or a new rash should be assessed by a doctor. More treatment is not automatically more help. Skin changes and medical advice.
And the Zuger Messe is coming up
The Zuger Messe returns from 24 October to 1 November 2026. A lovely occasion to feel comfortable in your skin, even on cooler days. Of course, you don’t need wrinkle-free skin to enjoy the fair. Comfortable shoes are probably more important. Zuger Messe 2026.
Forma can also be an option before a special occasion. When we talk about the Cinderella effect we appreciate in our practice, we mean the fresher, firmer appearance that may be visible shortly after a treatment. How noticeable it is varies from person to person. It is not the same as longer term collagen remodelling.
Usually, no downtime is expected. Mild redness or swelling can still occur temporarily. That’s why we consider how your skin responds and when treatment fits your plans. Perhaps before a visit to the Zuger Messe. Manufacturer information, Observed skin reactions.
Feel free to bring your current products, or photos of them, to your skin consultation. Together, we’ll look at what can stay, what needs adjusting and whether a treatment would add something useful. Perhaps a different moisturiser. Perhaps Forma. Perhaps less, for now.