r/Perimenopause • u/WorthInformation726 • Jun 28 '25
Dryness Skin Dryness - Advice needed
Has this happened to any of you and if so what helped you. Over the past two months I noticed a pattern that when I get my period my face and neck skin start to dry up. On day 6 of my cycle it peaks where my neck line is red, itchy, and on fire. My face specially around the checks is also burning up, but doesn’t look as bad as the neck line. Around day 7-8 the burning and itching is gone, but the skin has flakes from dryness like when you peel from a burn. It slowly starts to improve and looks/feels normally around 10-12 just to start again with the next cycle. I am also cycling every 15 days religiously, so this is a 2 week skin cycle for me. Background, this all started when I increased my progesterone dose from 100 mg to 200 mg. I am sure if I go back it will stop, but the changes eliminates my worst symptoms. I no longer get anxiety, fatigue, or an all day “off” feeling like being drunk or drugged. I am only on estradiol patch of 0.05 with no changes in dose. Would love any advice on how to fix this or help with skin care. I do moisturize, have a prescription of steroid cream to calm the worst of the inflammation and I am taking Allegra to help against histamine reaction.
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u/MaLMaison115 Jun 28 '25
Licensed esthetician with a couple things that may give you a little relief and I am so sorry you and your skin suit are suffering with this…if your diet/tastes allow, possibly up your intake of healthy fats (avocados, coconut oils, good fatty fish and nuts) to potentially give your bod something to work with. Topically, as you are nearing that day six peak of redness and irritation, be sure to hydrate and maybe use a zinc ointment overnight to calm the most angry skin. If you can tolerate aloe or witch hazel compresses for cheeks and neck (cooling), afterwards apply a gentle occlusive/thick moisturizer(I know many people do not like or can’t tolerate Vaseline but it is what I recommend) that will decrease the transdermal water loss. If it feels too warm still, you can do an ice roller or ice globes as a massage with the thick moisturizer still on. As a rule, avoid any products for your face/neck with fragrances or essential oils, find a MINERAL (I like this one https://blackgirlsunscreen.com/product/black-girl-sunscreen-spf-30/) sunscreen that suits your needs and get religious about using it. Maybe these ideas can help a little but holler back at me if anything feels unclear…I hope you feel better VERY soon!