The Beauty Shelf with Emily Darlow
If your skin suddenly feels thinner, tighter or oddly papery you are not imagining it.
Around menopause, oestrogen levels drop dramatically and with it goes one of the skin’s most important functions, its ability to hold water.
In fact, research shows women can lose up to 30 per cent of their skin’s collagen in the first five years after menopause, and the skin’s natural production of hyaluronic acid, the molecule that holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, also declines. The result is dryness that no regular moisturiser seems to fix.
But here is the key difference many women do not realise. Mature skin is not just dry, it is dehydrated. Dry skin lacks oil but dehydrated skin lacks water.
That is why richer creams alone often stop working. Mature skin needs layers, water binding ingredients like hyaluronic acid, barrier repairing lipids and gentle oils that stop evaporation. When combined properly hydration does not just make skin comfortable, it visibly softens lines, improves elasticity and restores glow.
Here are some of the hydrating face and neck products I have been trialling recently that genuinely make skin feel replenished rather than just coated.
Ella Baché Hydra Hyaluronic Day Cream $130
Buy it here:
A classic hydration first moisturiser built around hyaluronic acid; the ingredient mature skin naturally loses with age. Rather than sitting on top of the skin it pulls moisture into the surface layers which helps fine lines look softer almost immediately. It absorbs quickly but leaves skin feeling properly quenched rather than greasy, which makes it ideal under makeup. I found it particularly good for that tight feeling after cleansing or when skin suddenly feels flat by mid-afternoon. It brings back that comfortable bouncy feel instead of shine.
ESHU Moisturiser $65
Buy it here:
A beautifully balanced moisturiser that focuses on barrier support rather than heaviness. The texture is light but comforting meaning it hydrates without clogging or sitting heavily on the skin. I love the pump packaging, it is easier and more hygienic, and it layers easily over serums without pilling. It is also a great unisex option, simple, effective and calming especially if skin has become unpredictable or reactive during hormonal changes.
Skin Forme Eye Reveal $95
Buy it here:
The eye area is usually where dehydration shows first because the skin is thinner and produces less oil. This formula focuses on moisture retention rather than tightening, which often works better on mature eyes. It feels beautiful going on, nourishing but not heavy, and leaves the under-eye area soft and hydrated rather than coated. The brightness you see comes from improved hydration rather than shimmer which gives a much more natural refreshed look.
Biobod Glow Set Serum Oil $136
Buy it here:
A hybrid oil serum that works particularly well at night when skin loses the most moisture. Oils are essential during menopause because they help prevent overnight water loss, one of the biggest causes of morning dryness. I really loved this one. It spreads easily so you do not need much, gives excellent coverage and has no overpowering scent. By morning skin feels comfortable and smooth rather than tight, which is usually a sign the barrier is actually being supported not just coated.
Mary Grace Rose Otto Face Elixir $65
A gentle facial oil suited to sensitive or hormonal skin that suddenly reacts to everything. Rose oils are traditionally used to calm inflammation while helping the skin retain moisture. Best used as the final evening step to seal hydration in. By morning the skin feels softer and calmer rather than thirsty, especially helpful during seasonal changes when mature skin can become fragile.
CurrentBody Skin Neck and Décolletage Perfector $719
Buy it here:
Not technically skincare but one of the most effective hydration boosters I trialled. LED light therapy stimulates collagen production and improves circulation which helps the skin hold onto moisture better long term. I noticed visible improvements in smoothness and texture in the neck area and hydration improved because the skin barrier function strengthened. Think of it as helping your moisturisers work properly rather than replacing them, especially useful for the neck where creams alone often struggle.
Hydrating mature skin is not about finding one miracle cream, it is about layering.
Serum for water
Cream for comfort
Oil to seal
Treatment to stimulate
Once you approach skincare this way dryness stops being something you constantly fight and becomes something you actively manage and the difference in glow, comfort and softness is noticeable surprisingly quickly.
Proudly Australian owned and operated