From Teenage Years to Menopause, ‘SHE MD’ Explores How to Protect Your Skin at Every Stage

Skin care is an ever-evolving routine. What works in your teens may not work in your thirties, and what keeps your glow intact during pregnancy might not cut it once perimenopause arrives.

On SHE MD, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi and Mary Alice Haney welcomed dermatologist Dr. Haleh Bakshandeh to break down how skin evolves from adolescence through menopause. The episode goes beyond beauty, discussing the importance of learning how your body changes with time and how to give your skin what it really needs. Bakshandeh, who has been in practice for two decades, makes it clear that prevention is everything. “I can see this shift where people really do take care of their skin. They want to be preventative. And you’re seeing it even in the teens and tweens,” she explains. For her, taking a proactive approach in each decade pays off because catching up is a lot harder than staying ahead.

Why prevention is the best form of skin care

Bakshandeh stresses that no age group is immune to issues like acne or sun damage. “We can see acne in every decade. Nobody is exempt from it just because of their age,” she says. The difference lies in how the skin behaves at different stages of life and how treatments should be tailored accordingly.

That means what you do in your twenties will naturally look different from what you do in your fifties. For younger patients, that might mean sticking to the basics—gentle cleansing, keeping oil in check, and establishing sunscreen as a non-negotiable. For those in midlife, it becomes more about addressing fine lines, dryness, and the sudden onset of conditions like rosacea.

The dangers of doing too much too soon

There’s a lot of temptation—especially with social media and influencers—to overdo it with the treatments. Bakshandeh says more isn’t always better. She warns that too many treatments, such as CO2 lasers or high-strength chemical peels, can damage the skin barrier—something that protects hydration and keeps skin resilient. “It’s essential to protect your skin barrier,” she explains. “When your barrier is disrupted, as it can be with products or aggressive lasers, you can lose that ability. And that’s going to translate into dehydrated skin.”

Treatments should be done at the right time and in the right amounts, ideally under the guidance of a dermatologist who will be honest about what’s actually necessary.

Building a foundation in your 20s and 30s

For women in their twenties and thirties, Bakshandeh says it’s the perfect window to move beyond the basics without going overboard. Antioxidants, like vitamin C serums, can make a noticeable difference.

And don’t forget the areas beyond your face. “There are a few areas on our skin that age faster than the rest, and that’s around the eyes, the neck, the hands,” she adds. Starting early with care in those overlooked spots can prevent that uneven aging effect later.

How hormones change everything

With pregnancy, Bakshandeh points out that some women see glowing skin, while others experience breakouts or pigmentation issues like melasma. Safe ingredients like azelaic acid, a gentle exfoliant, and vitamin C become necessary tools during this time.

But once hormones decline, the changes are even more dramatic. “Perimenopause definitely equates to some skin changes. And the number one skin change I would say, is your level of moisture and barrier function will start to decline,” Bakshandeh explains. She notes that within just five years of perimenopause, women lose about 30 percent of their collagen—a staggering number that explains why fine lines, dryness, and thinning become so noticeable.

Finding balance, not perfection

At the end of the day, good skin care is about balance and listening to your skin. Bakshandeh reminds listeners that the goal isn’t a flawless face but skin that feels strong and supported for the long haul. The best way to get there is through steady, thoughtful care that you can trust, no matter what life stage you’re in.

“Being conservative and doing things at the right time in the right quantity is very important,” Bakshandeh states. This approach ensures that you’re always mindful of your skin’s needs and never overdo it.

Read Next

• The Real Secret to Good Skin Has Nothing to Do With Skin Care
• On ‘Wellness Her Way’: How Peptides Are Taking on ‘Zombie Cells’ to Redefine Anti-Aging
• The Breaking Beauty 2025 Spring Skincare Guide Has Arrived