The Midlife Journal: skin science for menopausal years

Research-led guidance on skin, hormones and health through perimenopause and menopause, written by Susan Campbell, MyMMT™ Certified Menopause Lifestyle Practitioner and founder of Phosis.

Susan Campbell

Susan's pick

Explore by topic

Browse the Midlife Journal by what you are navigating right now. Pick a topic to see every article in it.

Peptides for Skin: Do they Work?

Peptides for Skin: Do they Work?

Blog Excerpt Peptides are everywhere, but do they improve your skin? Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 is the clinically studied peptide ingredient targeting the wrinkles,...

3 min read May 2026
Sugar and Skin Aging: What Every Woman in Menopause Should Know

Sugar and Skin Aging: What Every Woman in Menopause Should Know

Sugar doesn't just affect your energy levels or your health, it affects the structural integrity of your skin at a molecular level....

3 min read May 2026
Does Dry Skin Cause Wrinkles?
hormonal skin

Does Dry Skin Cause Wrinkles?

Dry skin and wrinkles tend to show up together, especially during menopause. It's natural to assume one causes the other, but the...

4 min read Apr 2026
10 Ways to Prevent and Treat Dry, Itchy, and Bumpy Skin in Perimenopause and Menopause
Science

10 Ways to Prevent and Treat Dry, Itchy, and Bumpy Skin in Perimenopause and Menopause

Itchy, dry skin can be common in perimenopause and menopause. Here’s what to do to treat itchy skin in midlife.

4 min read Apr 2026
Why Strengthening Your Skin Matters Just as Much as Strengthening Your Bones
hormonal skin

Why Strengthening Your Skin Matters Just as Much as Strengthening Your Bones

We talk a lot about protecting our bones as we age. What we don't talk about nearly enough is that the exact...

4 min read Apr 2026
Why I Named It Phosis: The Story Behind the Brand Name

Why I Named It Phosis: The Story Behind the Brand Name

There is a moment that many women know intimately, even if they've never spoken it out loud. It's the morning you look...

3 min read Apr 2026
Are Skincare Products Containing Estrogen Safe?

Are Skincare Products Containing Estrogen Safe?

Estrogen face creams are trending on social media, but are they actually safe for menopausal skin? Before you add one to your...

2 min read Apr 2026
The Truth About Menopause and Anger Toward Husbands

The Truth About Menopause and Anger Toward Husbands

If you’ve ever wondered if menopause causes anger toward husbands, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what’s causing these emotions and...

4 min read Apr 2026
Estrogen Face Cream — Everything You Need to Know and What to Use Instead

Estrogen Face Cream — Everything You Need to Know and What to Use Instead

If you’re interested in estriol or estrogen face creams, there’s so much to discover. From how estrogen face creams work to the...

8 min read Apr 2026
Best Routine for Dry, Menopausal Skin (And Why Your Skin Needs a Completely Different Approach Now)
hormonal skin

Best Routine for Dry, Menopausal Skin (And Why Your Skin Needs a Completely Different Approach Now)

Dry, menopausal skin requires a completely different approach. As estrogen declines, skin becomes thinner, more sensitive, and prone to moisture loss. This...

2 min read Mar 2026
best foods for menopausal skin health
hormonal skin

The Best (and Worst) Foods for Menopausal Skin

Discover which foods strengthen menopausal skin and which make it worse. 

1 min read Mar 2026
The Science Behind Hormonal Skin Changes, Simplified.
skincare

The Science Behind Hormonal Skin Changes, Simplified.

For women in midlife, one hormone in particular plays a starring role: estrogen. As estrogen levels begin to decline during perimenopause and...

2 min read Mar 2026
The Truth about "Clean" Skincare for Perimenopausal and Menopausal Skin
skincare

The Truth about "Clean" Skincare for Perimenopausal and Menopausal Skin

These days, the term “clean beauty” can't be missed. What most women fail to realize is that "clean beauty" does not necessarily...

2 min read Mar 2026
image of a woman smiling
skincare

Why Menopausal Skin Becomes Dry and Sensitive (and how to strengthen it)

When skin barrier is compromised, moisture escapes continuously, which is why your skin care feel dry or tight even right after moisturizing....

4 min read Mar 2026
woman holding a washcloth
skincare

What Is An Oil Facial Cleanser and Why Do I Need One?

For decades, we were taught that “clean” skin should feel tight, squeaky, and oil-free. Foaming cleansers became the gold standard, especially for...

2 min read Feb 2026
6 Best Cooling Products to Try When Perimenopause Heats Up

6 Best Cooling Products to Try When Perimenopause Heats Up

If you’ve ever woken up in a tangle of damp sheets, or fanned yourself in a meeting during a flare — I...

1 min read Jan 2026
Top 5 Skincare Misconceptions in Perimenopause and Menopause
skincare

Top 5 Skincare Misconceptions in Perimenopause and Menopause

Top 5 Skincare Misconceptions in Perimenopause and Menopause

2 min read Jan 2026
The 7 Worst Ingredients for Perimenopausal & Menopausal Skin

The 7 Worst Ingredients for Perimenopausal & Menopausal Skin

Discover the seven skincare ingredients that trigger irritation and sensitivity in perimenopausal and menopausal skin, and what to use instead for calmer,...

3 min read Jan 2026
Dog on top of a present in front of a Christmas tree

Holiday Hustle Keeping You Up?

Dreamy Sleep Tips + Reasonable Gifts for Teens Don’t you wish you could like this as soon as your head hit the...

3 min read Dec 2025
Prickly Pear Seed Oil: Why We Love It

Prickly Pear Seed Oil: Why We Love It

If you’ve heard the skincare buzz around prickly pear seed oil (also known as Opuntia ficus-indica seed oil) and wondered whether it...

2 min read Nov 2025
The Power of Posture

The Power of Posture

Paying attention to your spinal health may prevent a host of issues, from dowager’s hump to chronic back pain, in the decades...

5 min read Oct 2025
"My Top Tips for Investment Dressing and a Closet Overhaul"

"My Top Tips for Investment Dressing and a Closet Overhaul"

Black Friday Deals for Investment Dressing  Much to my surprise, this summer’s article about hiring a stylist to help me revamp my...

6 min read Sep 2025
Dr. Heather Bartos, Creator of Menopause Rocks

"My Interview With a Rock Star: Dr. Heather Bartos, Creator of Menopause Rocks"

Meet Dr. Heather Bartos, Creator of Menopause Rocks A couple of weeks ago, I promised that I’d soon be introducing you to...

6 min read Sep 2025
Our Perimenopause Facial is Guaranteed to Change Your Skin

Our Perimenopause Facial is Guaranteed to Change Your Skin

Your skin is shifting, and so is the way it needs to be cared for. The Phosis Facial is designed specifically for...

2 min read Aug 2025
The joy of finding a dress that makes you feel radiant!

"My Solution for Midlife Closet Problems"

Unless you are a natural-born fashionista, you may find yourself having a minor wardrobe crisis when perimenopause hits. Waistlines thicken, belly skin...

8 min read Aug 2025
The Best Face Oil for Gua Sha in Perimenopause and Beyond

The Best Face Oil for Gua Sha in Perimenopause and Beyond

Once you’ve got the right routine to treat skin in perimenopause and menopause, it’s time to add on extras like gua sha...

3 min read Jul 2025
7 Skin Changes During Perimenopause — And What to Do About Them

7 Skin Changes During Perimenopause — And What to Do About Them

Our skin changes a lot during perimenopause and menopause. From acne to dryness and everything in between, here’s what to do about...

4 min read Jun 2025
8 Steps for the Best Skincare Routine in Perimenopause and Menopause

8 Steps for the Best Skincare Routine in Perimenopause and Menopause

Following the ideal steps for a skincare routine is especially important during perimenopause and menopause when skin may be especially dry or...

3 min read Jun 2025
15 Ways to Repair a Damaged Skin Barrier and Restore Barrier Function
Ingredients

15 Ways to Repair a Damaged Skin Barrier and Restore Barrier Function

Skin barrier function is fundamental to healthy, glowing skin, but your skin barrier is fragile and can be easily damaged. Here are...

7 min read Apr 2025
Our Ingredients: All About Sea Buckthorn Oil
Ingredients

Our Ingredients: All About Sea Buckthorn Oil

If your skin feels like it’s suddenly staging a rebellion—more dryness, more sensitivity, more redness—you’re not imagining things. The hormonal shifts of...

3 min read Feb 2025
How to Choose the Best Perimenopause Doctor for You
Lifestyle

How to Choose the Best Perimenopause Doctor for You

When choosing a doctor for perimenopause or menopause, it’s hard to know where to begin. This helpful list explains different kinds of...

6 min read Feb 2025
"What’s a DEXA Scan? Here's Why I Decided to Get One."

"What’s a DEXA Scan? Here's Why I Decided to Get One."

What if I told you that about $50 and 15 minutes of your time could offer valuable insight into your bone health...

5 min read Jan 2025
"Modern, Pretty Makeup for 40+ Skin"

"Modern, Pretty Makeup for 40+ Skin"

My entire life I’ve been a “just a mascara and lip gloss girl,” but in the past few years I’ve been interested...

4 min read Dec 2024
illustrated silhouette of a women

"The Estrobolome: What I Learned About the Latest Menopause Buzzword"

As a menopause educator, I try to read just about all of the menopause news I can get my hands on. There’s...

5 min read Dec 2024
A Scary Skeleton Story

A Scary Skeleton Story

Happy Halloween! Take this fun candy quiz to test your candy IQ.  You know that feeling when a good friend gives you...

4 min read Oct 2024
I did the unthinkable and took a selfie in the bathroom at Tiffany’s. Just look at that gorgeous marble!

Answering Emails from the Tiffany's Bathroom

and other stories from my NYC trip

5 min read Oct 2024
"How Does an Indie Beauty Brand Get Made?"

"How Does an Indie Beauty Brand Get Made?"

One of the things I’m most proud of is that Phosis is made right here in the USA. From the very beginning,...

3 min read Oct 2024
"Am I Crazy or Is It Perimenopause?"

"Am I Crazy or Is It Perimenopause?"

“There is nothing in life to be feared, only to be understood.” — Marie Curie I’ve always loved this quote – it...

6 min read Oct 2024
Women, War Paint, and Unnecessary Rivalry

Women, War Paint, and Unnecessary Rivalry

Plus a Few of My War Paint (Makeup) Favorites

3 min read Oct 2024
Susan Campbell wearing a white collared shirt and jeans

"How I Shop for Skincare in Perimenopause and Menopause"

It Might Be Time to Divorce Your Current Regimen

6 min read Oct 2024
How to Avoid a Perimenopausal Breakdown When Your Kid Heads Off to College

How to Avoid a Perimenopausal Breakdown When Your Kid Heads Off to College

There’s nothing that makes the passing of time more painfully obvious than having children. One day I’m carefully picking out the fabric...

5 min read Sep 2024
"Here's How I Exfoliate in Perimenopause"

"Here's How I Exfoliate in Perimenopause"

Think back to your earliest skincare experiences. When did your quest with attaining a smoother, clearer, and even-toned complexion begin? I’ve been...

7 min read Sep 2024
Secrets I Learned from Bees

Secrets I Learned from Bees

My unconventional hobby is a gift that keeps on giving.

8 min read Sep 2024
"The Art and Sacred Ritual of Slow Beauty"

"The Art and Sacred Ritual of Slow Beauty"

Conversation and Community for Women in Perimenopause and Menopause

4 min read Sep 2024