The Shed Diaries

As a 44-year-old woman in the thick of perimenopause, my skin has changed in ways I didn’t expect. Gone are the days of just needing a quick cleanse and moisturise. Now, my skin needs real support—especially when it comes to hydration and nourishment.

If your skin is feeling tight, dull, flaky or just generally uncomfortable, this post is for you.

Below is my tried-and-tested AM skincare routine that’s currently keeping my skin feeling soft, hydrated, and protected throughout the day. Every product I use is chosen with intention, and yes—I do layer two serums (I’ll explain why).

🌞 Why Skincare Matters in Menopause

Perimenopausal skin tends to become:

• Drier and more easily irritated
• Prone to dehydration (which isn’t the same as dryness!)
• Thinner and more sensitive
• More reactive to environmental stress

This means our products need to work smarter, not harder. It’s not about a 10-step routine—it’s about using what actually makes a difference.

✨ My Morning Skincare Routine (Step-by-Step) – using my In Salon Professional Brand Eve Taylor

1. Cleanse: Dynamic Resurfacing Cleanser

A gentle but effective way to cleanse and exfoliate using lactic acid. This brightens my complexion and keeps texture at bay without stripping essential moisture. I avoid this if my skin feels particularly sensitive, but most mornings it’s a beautiful first step.

Key Ingredients:
Lactic acid (brightening + hydrating), Argan oil, Geranium, Cottonseed oil.

✅ Great for: Ageing, dull, uneven skin tone
🚫 Avoid if: You’re on prescription exfoliants or highly sensitive

2. Tone: Dynamic Hydrating Toner

This is a must. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid and Co-enzyme Q10, which gives my skin that “bounce” and helps everything I apply next absorb better. I also keep a bottle in my salon to spritz throughout the day!

Key Ingredients:
Hyaluronic acid (hydration), CoQ10 (antioxidant), Cucumber & Geranium oils.

3. Eye Care: Nourishing Eye Complex

Lightweight, creamy and effective. It softens the look of lines and keeps my eye area hydrated all day. I apply gently using my ring finger.

Key Ingredients:
Rice Bran, Peptides, Hyaluronic acid, Glycosaminoglycans.

4. Serum Layer 1 – Hydration: Hydrating Serum with Hyaluronic Acid

This is the first serum I apply after toner. It delivers deep hydration to the skin and gives an instant softening effect. Dehydrated skin drinks this up!

Why hydrate before oil?
Because water-based products absorb first. Think of this as the drink, and the next serum as the meal.

5. Serum Layer 2 – Nourishment: Nourishing Serum

This is my secret weapon for dry, menopausal skin. It’s an oil-based serum that nourishes and seals in all the hydration from the previous steps. I warm it in my hands and press it into my face and neck.

Key Ingredients:
Argan oil, Soya oil, Sunflower oil.

6. Moisturiser with SPF: Moisturising Day Cream SPF30

Key Ingredients:
Ceramides, Avocado oil, Lavender, Clary Sage, Geranium & SPF30 protection.

🌞 Bonus Tip: If I’m outside, I reapply SPF every couple of hours!

💧 Why I Layer Serums

If your skin is both dry and dehydrated, it needs more than just one kind of serum.

• Hydrating serums add water (think: plumping and smoothing).
• Nourishing/oil-based serums lock in moisture and reinforce the skin barrier.

Layering both gives you that juicy, radiant look—without tightness or flaking later in the day.

👀 What’s Next?

I’ll be sharing my evening skincare routine shortly, which focuses on calming the skin, restoring moisture overnight, and waking up with fresh, bouncy skin. Watch this space!

🪴 Final Thoughts

Perimenopausal skin needs more care—but it doesn’t need to be complicated.
This morning routine helps me feel confident in my skin again. If you’re not sure where to start, consider layering a hydrating serum with a nourishing one and making SPF non-negotiable.

Got questions? Come chat with me over on Instagram [@The.PamperShed] or send me a message if you’d like to explore these products in a professional facial too.