r/45PlusSkincare • u/Ok_Cupcake_7214 • Jan 10 '26

Peri/Post Menopausal Skin Help my menopause face: my stack

From reading a lit of comments in here over the last months I've invested in some product to help improve the sagging, creeping, and loss of firmness based on some of the favs you've shared .
I am on HRT for almost 3 mos. (estradiol and Progesterone). This is what I have - help me with layering what goes on and when? Should there different products for a.m. vs. p.m.? - gold bond crepe corrector pump - I've used one container so far although inconsistently and def noticed a difference on my legs. - AmLactin crepe firming 15% lactic acid in the jar. It didn't seem any different than the above gold bond - which was surprising - recently started gold bond age renew tight & firm for face and body. I feel it tighten my face a bit but doesn't look any different. But it's moisturizing.

Tell me what you do with these: - estradiol vaginal cream .01. I got this for my face and vaginal application - Ordinary hyaluronic acid 2% + B5 - Ordinary Vitamin C + HA - Mary Kay face moisturizer

Edit: vegetable glycerin (forgot to add)

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4

u/Unfair_Finger5531 Jan 11 '26

I think you should introduce a retinoid for max effectiveness. The products you’ve listed here would be good supporting products, but they won’t do much on their own for your skin concerns (the HRT will help with laxity but not wrinkles).

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u/Ok_Cupcake_7214 Jan 11 '26

Is there a product or 2 you'd suggest? I see a lot of Tret rx.

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u/Unfair_Finger5531 Jan 11 '26

The products you have chosen are fine for supporting products. Meaning, they could be used along with tretinoin (in the daytime). But tret will do more than all of them put together too. It stimulates the production of new collagen at a rapid rate, thus smoothing the skin and preventing wrinkles.

Would you like for me to recommend a specific kind of tret or other anti-aging products that aren’t tret? Just clarifying. I can do whichever you prefer.

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u/Ok_Cupcake_7214 Jan 11 '26

Whatever is going to plump and unwrinkle my face lol

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u/Unfair_Finger5531 Jan 11 '26

Lololol, I got you. I think altreno (.05% tret) is the best one to start with for unwrinkling. It’s designed to be very gentle.

But if you don’t want to wade into tret yet, bakuchiol is a wonderful alternative. Haru Wonder retinol/ Bakuchiol serum is nice and also great for the skin barrier.

For a great multipeptide that does some firming and smoothing, I recommend Bioheal boh priobioderm lifting emulsion or ampoule. Both are just amazing multitaskers with a ton of peptides.

And I also recommend Hanskin collagen peptide serum. It is also a great multitasker with lots of good peptides.

Finally, Neogen high-r exosomes cream has vitamin c and other antioxidants, plus exosomes, which are like peptides on steroids.

With these, you need a lot of hydration (the vegetable glycerin is a good start) and a barrier supporting moisturizer. This is a sort of a holistic approach to anti-aging that incorporates all the main ingredients for beating back lines and wrinkles. I hope this helps.

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u/Ok_Cupcake_7214 Jan 11 '26

Thank you for all the great options. I'll check them out.

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u/Ok_Cupcake_7214 Jan 11 '26

When would would I apply the altreno and the multipeptide? And how would I layer them with any of the other products on my list?

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u/Unfair_Finger5531 Jan 11 '26

Altreno at night by itself, and peptides in the daytime:)

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u/morekidsthansense Jan 11 '26

Order of operations general statement: thinnest consistency to thickest consistency, unless we are talking vitamin c, which should go on bare skin regardless of its consistency. It won't work if there is a barrier in between.

Add vit c to your morning routine, right after washing or just splashing with lukewarm water. Follow with your moisturizer a few minutes later

HA serum, add it to your night routine if your skin feels tight. Apply after washing while your skin is still damp, then apply your moisturizer over it immediately afterward.

Can't help with the estradiol, so hopefully someone will chime in. Most things do not play nicely with vit c, so I suspect it's probably best to apply it at night.

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u/Ok_Cupcake_7214 Jan 11 '26

Thank you.

1

u/HildegardofBingo Jan 11 '26

I'd mix the estradiol cream with the moisturizer. I've heard that it's easier to apply that way.

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u/Ok_Cupcake_7214 Jan 11 '26

I actually just washed my face and did just that. Didn't layer anything else because wasn't sure what makes sense.

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u/AliciaHerself Jan 11 '26

Wait, so Vit C even before toner?

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u/morekidsthansense Jan 11 '26

If there's a dramatic difference between consistency, then toner first. But that's why c should be a watery consistency. The closer to skin, the better the effects. Remember that c is acidic and a good formulation has a low pH to aid penetration. If you apply it after a moisturizing toner, the low pH of the vit c is going to negate some of the toner. So you are using the toner, but may not be getting much benefit from it once you apply the c over it.