Finding My Skin Again in Peri-menopause: My Journey with Barrier Recovery Cream & Defence Emulsion

Peri menopause can make skin feel sore, sensitive, and reactive — but with AllSkin Med’s Barrier Recovery Cream and Defence Emulsion, I finally found skincare that worked for me. Here’s my story.

When Peri-menopause Changed My Skin

As a skincare professional, I’ve always loved helping clients find products that make them feel confident and comfortable. But when peri menopause hit, I found myself in new and unfamiliar territory.

Suddenly, all the active skincare I’d always relied on was making my face sting. My skin felt sore, reactive, and irritated — especially when I tried to use my retinol. I’d end up red, sore, and feeling defeated.

It was a strange place to be in: I was guiding clients on what to use, but behind the scenes, I was struggling with my own skin. Honestly, it left me feeling a little bit like an imposter.

Discovering Barrier Recovery Cream

When All Skin Med launched the Barrier Recovery Cream, I was excited but also nervous. Could this finally be the solution?

I decided to keep it simple. Just two to three pumps at night — nothing else.

And wow.

• The texture is rich but sinks in beautifully.

• It smells gorgeous, making my nighttime routine feel like a treat.

• Most importantly, it didn’t sting.

Within a week, my skin looked brighter, fresher, and calmer. It was like seeing little glimpses of my “old skin” again.

A Little Science Behind the Soothing

What makes these formulas different is the clever blend of antioxidants, peptides, and barrier-repairing ingredients.

At the heart of both the Recovery Cream and Defence Emulsion is Reoxderm®, a powerhouse antioxidant complex that:

• Helps reduce inflammation and irritation

• Defends skin cells from oxidative stress (the everyday damage from free radicals and environmental stressors)

• Supports your skin’s natural repair mechanisms

• Even helps rebalance your skin’s microbiome

Alongside that, they’re packed with supportive ingredients like niacinamide, squalane, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and natural plant oils — all working together to hydrate, soothe, and strengthen the skin barrier.

So rather than fighting your skin with harsh actives, these products focus on restoring balance and comfort, which is exactly what peri menopausal skin craves.

Introducing Barrier Defence Emulsion (With Patience!)

Encouraged by the results, I jumped into using the Barrier Defence Emulsion the following week. But my skin quickly reminded me that it wasn’t quite ready.

Lesson learned: don’t do as I do, do as I say!

I took a step back and reintroduced the Emulsion slowly:

• Once every other week at first

• Then once a week

• Now, just a couple of times a week in my morning routine

That gentle, gradual approach made all the difference. My skin could adapt without becoming overwhelmed.

Why This Matters for Peri menopausal Skin

During peri menopause, the dip in oestrogen makes skin more reactive and sensitive to active ingredients. Products that once worked beautifully can suddenly cause irritation.

That’s why barrier-supporting skincare like Barrier Recovery Cream and Defence Emulsion is so powerful:

• They calm inflammation

• Support the skin’s barrier

• Allow you to reintroduce actives safely over time

Now, I can tolerate more active ingredients again, and my skin feels like my skin — strong, healthy, and resilient.

My Advice If You’re Struggling Too

If your skin feels like it’s turned on you during perimenopause:

• Keep it simple — strip back to a supportive, barrier-repairing routine

• Introduce actives slowly — less really is more

• Listen to your skin — it will tell you what it can handle

And if you’re feeling lost, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. But with the right products and a little patience, you can absolutely get back to skin that feels like yours again.