Aging skin has different needs than youthful skin, and as we age, our skincare routines should tend to the specific needs of aging skin. Perimenopausal skin, in particular, loses collagen, radiance, and hydration while potentially gaining fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven tone. My favorite beauty director, Stephanie Johnson, is no stranger to the research conducted around aging skin, so I enlisted her to share some of the top-rated serums on her radar. It's no surprise that they're all from Rodan + Fields, the number-one dermatologist-founded skincare brand in the U.S. The brand houses an amazing lineup of products, but right now, we're zeroing in on its selection of serums. Read on for Stephanie's expert recommendations.
Clinically Tested
When people think of perimenopause symptoms, dry skin isn't at the top of the list, but Stephanie told me that skin loses moisture at a cellular level. "As estrogen declines, our skin's hydration levels can decline with it. It's important to prioritize a serum with hydrating active ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide to restore some of the moisture your skin barrier has lost," she says. The Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Serum was designed to restore that much-needed hydration to the skin. The brand conducted clinical studies that showed that testers saw a 200% increase in hydration after just one use, and this hydration lasted eight hours.
Anti-Aging Properties
Dealing with aging skin due to perimenopause or other environmental factors can feel unpredictable and downright irreversible. Pure C Serum is a derm-developed solution formulated with the purest form of vitamin C that supports natural collagen production. Stephanie vouches for the power of vitamin C: "Vitamin C serum isn't just a collagen-producing powerhouse—it's also the gold standard for evening out your skin tone. Unfortunately, dark spots can appear darker during perimenopause thanks to fluctuating hormones, so adding in a potent vitamin C serum to your morning and nighttime routine is key." The formula is made with no water, oil, or derivatives, making it even more potent than the other vitamin C serums out there.
Multifunctional Use
Perimenopause slows down your skin's ability to renew itself after encountering stressors or hormonal changes. This causes dull, uneven, and aged skin. The Rodan + Fields Total RF Serum was derm-designed to combat that using the power of six serums in one solid formula. "I don't know about you, but I don't have time to slather on 10 elixirs per night. I love that the RF Serum addresses all the signs of skin aging with derm-backed and editor-trusted ingredients like omega-6 fatty acid for hydrating, calcium for firming, and Rodan + Fields's own patented RF3 Antioxidant Complex for resiliency," Stephanie says. It targets wrinkles, uneven tone, dullness, loss of firmness, rough texture, and enlarged pores with just a few drops.
