By evening your skin has been through a full day of sunscreen, air conditioning and perhaps a flush or two. This is the one time of day when you can slow down and give it some care, and it does not take long.
This guide walks through an evening routine for menopausal skin: what to take off, how to cleanse without drying yourself out, where a treatment step fits if you use one, and how to finish with moisture. It also touches on night sweats and sleep, because they affect how your skin feels in the morning.
Step one: take the day off gently
Sunscreen and makeup need to come off, but your skin does not need to be scrubbed. The American Academy of Dermatology advises a mild cleanser rather than soap for mature skin, which tends to become drier during menopause.
If you wear sunscreen or makeup, you may find a two-step cleanse comfortable: a cream or balm cleanser massaged over dry skin to lift product, followed by a mild cleanser rinsed away with lukewarm water. If you wear little, one gentle cleanse is enough. Pat dry with a soft towel rather than rubbing.
Hot water feels lovely at the end of a long day, but it dries skin out. If your face feels tight afterwards, turn the temperature down.
Step two: a treatment step, only if you want one
Evening is the usual time for treatments that make skin more sensitive to sun, such as retinol. It is also where many of us pile on too much. A sensible rule is one new thing at a time, introduced slowly, with a few weeks before you judge it.
If you are thinking about retinol, our article on adjusting your routine in perimenopause explains why a slower approach suits changing skin. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that for some people a retinoid cream can help with skin thinning, and that a dermatologist can tell you what is likely to work for you. Prescription retinoids are a doctor's call, so ask before combining or starting.
If your skin is dry or itchy already, skip the treatment step for now and put moisture first. Our guide to menopause dry skin covers that in more detail.
A face cream for daily moisture, a targeted eye cream, or both together. Compare the sizes, ingredients and prices before you choose.
Step three: moisturise face and neck
This is the step to take your time over. DermNet describes moisturisers as blending humectants that draw water in, emollients that soften, and occlusives that slow water loss. At night a slightly more generous layer often feels comfortable, since there is no makeup or sunscreen to sit under, and you can let it sink in properly.
The Peptide Cream is made for face and neck, morning and evening. After cleansing, massage a small amount into face and neck with gentle upward strokes, then let it absorb before the next layer. The formula includes sodium hyaluronate and plant oils such as sacha inchi and safflower, alongside bio-fermented Australian black truffle. We would describe what it offers as moisture and comfort, and skin that feels softer and more supple. It contains fragrance from Manuka honey, so patch test before first use and stop if you notice irritation.
Moisturise while your skin is still a little damp from cleansing, and use a small amount over the neck as well. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends moisturiser after bathing and whenever skin feels dry.
Step four: the eye area
The skin around your eyes is thin and often the first place to look tired or feel dry. The Eye Cream is a rich cream for the eye contour. Warm a small amount between your fingertips and pat it gently around the orbital bone from the inner corner outwards. Avoid direct contact with the eyes, and do not pull the skin.
The Eye Cream contains retinol. Follow the directions on the pack, introduce it gradually, and use sunscreen during the day. If your skin is very reactive, or you already use a retinoid, check with your treating professional first. Retinoids are generally avoided in pregnancy, so ask a healthcare professional if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you like using both together, the Black Diamond Duo is one 50mL Peptide Cream and one 20mL Eye Cream, offered at a saving compared with buying them separately.
Night sweats, sleep and your skin
Jean Hailes describes a night sweat as a hot flush that happens at night, and notes that flushes can bring reddening of the skin and sweating. If you wake damp and uncomfortable, a splash of lukewarm water on your face and a light pat of moisturiser is usually kinder than a full second routine.
Cotton pillowcases, a cooler bedroom and lighter bedding may help you feel more comfortable, though there is no single fix, and these are general comfort tips rather than treatments. If night sweats are disrupting your sleep, that is a conversation for your GP, who can talk through your options, including any questions about hormone therapy.
What to leave out at night
Evenings are when the urge to fix things peaks, usually after catching your reflection under harsh bathroom lights. A few things are worth holding back on.
Skip harsh scrubs and at-home peels. The American Academy of Dermatology advises seeing a dermatologist before trying exfoliation or microdermabrasion, because menopausal skin is thinner and home treatments can do more harm than good. Avoid layering several new products on the same night. And if your skin stings, goes red or feels hot after something new, stop using it and let your skin calm down. Our guide to choosing skincare when mature skin feels sensitive has more on reading those signals.
Keep it short enough to keep
The best evening routine is the one you will do when you are tired. Cleanse, moisturise, then the eye cream if you use one: a few minutes and you are finished. If you want to see how the evening fits with your daytime steps, read the morning routine guide, and for a lighter approach altogether, try our over-50 routine.
Tonight, try the lukewarm water and see how your skin feels in the morning.