When I hit 35, I had that “oh wow, I’ve been taking care of literally everyone but myself” moment. Between packing school lunches, chasing a toddler who thinks pants are optional, and trying to remember the last time I finished a cup of coffee while it was still hot, skincare had fallen somewhere between “maybe later” and “does washing my face in the shower count?” But after finally noticing my once-glowy skin looked a little dull and uneven (read: tired, like me), I decided it was time to invest in my face again. Enter Alloy’s M4 Skincare and Tretinoin—the medical-grade skincare duo that officially made me believe in skincare magic.
I started slow, fully prepared for my skin to rebel (I’d heard horror stories about Tretinoin purging phases). But Alloy Health made their M4 moisturizer formula specifically so that my skin didn’t just survive on Tretinoin—it genuinely thrived. M4 soothed any irritation before it even started, and a few months later, I was actually getting compliments on my skin. Like, “Wait, are you wearing highlighter?” level compliments. My skin is smoother, brighter, and genuinely glassy, a term I once thought only applied to people who get facials every other week. Best of all? I’m wearing way less makeup. On mornings when the kids are fighting over who gets the blue bowl, it’s nice to at least have one thing handled: my skin looks good, even if everything else is chaos.
How Alloy works
It’s no secret that we as women have an exceptionally difficult time receiving the medical care we need—just ask any woman who’s been met with skepticism when describing their medical symptoms. Alloy Health was created specifically to address women’s midlife stage struggles and make female healthcare more accessible. From skincare to menopause and much more, their medical team makes it easy to receive medical-grade products right to your door.
READ: Everything You Need to Know About Perimenopause
Why I decided to start Tretinoin
After trying a dozen different drugstore products to no avail, I realized my skin issues weren’t only due to aging, but also my hormones. As I get closer to my 40s and perimenopause, my estrogen levels have noticeably started declining, which causes collagen and elastin production to drop sharply. Less collagen production can lead to skin dryness, fine lines, and a loss of firmness (literally everything I was experiencing before discovering Alloy). To add on, up to 30 percent of dermal collagen is lost in the first five years of menopause, with an additional 2.5 percent every year after. I learned that staggering fact after chatting with Dr. Corinne Menn, Alloy’s Director of Clinical Innovation and Education. That’s why dermatologists call Tretinoin the gold standard for visible skin renewal. It treats acne, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration by speeding up cell turnover, which helps skin appear smoother and more radiant. But, like many women, I hesitated because of potential irritation and dryness. That’s where Alloy M4 Skincare came in.
Corinne Menn DO, FACOG, MSCP
Director of Clinical Innovation and Education, Prescribing Physician
Dr. Corinne Menn is a board certified OBGYN with over 20 years of experience and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. She has dedicated her medical practice to focusing on the unique health care needs of women, including menopause management.
The magic behind the Tetinoin and M4 duo
The magic behind the Tretinoin and M4 duo is all about balance. M4 Skincare contains estriol, a gentle form of estrogen that specifically supports hormonally aging skin. By boosting elasticity, hydration, and radiance, M4 addresses the changes that occur as our hormone levels shift. Clinical studies show an 88% improvement in elasticity and a 70% increase in hydration after 12 weeks.
For me, pairing Tretinoin with M4 felt like the perfect synergy: the retinoid was renewing my skin cells, while M4 soothed potential irritation and strengthened my skin barrier. Dr. Menn notes, “Estriol-based skincare is a game-changer for midlife skin.” After just a few weeks, my skin felt firmer, looked brighter, and—best of all—could handle Tretinoin without the dryness or redness I had feared. It was a game-changer in every sense, and one that made me feel confident investing in my skin again. And by using Alloy, I did it all from the comfort of my home. Once I completed their online evaluation, their experts recommended a personalized skincare regimen, and less than a week later, my new products were delivered straight to my door.
Beyond skin deep—what Alloy offers for hormonal health
Skin issues are really the surface-level symptoms of hormonal changes. Once I started learning about perimenopause, menopause, and the broader implications of declining estrogen, I realized the importance of addressing the root cause. With October being Menopause Awareness Month, it’s a great time to normalize conversations about what perimenopause and menopause actually feel like for women—and what treatments exist. Alloy Health makes it simple to access these solutions from home. Just like with skincare, Alloy also offers an online evaluation for menopause treatment. After completing the evaluation, a licensed menopause-trained doctor reviews your needs, and once approved, your products are delivered directly. It’s a thoughtful, medical-grade approach that feels personalized. Here are just a few of their most sought-after hormonal treatments:
Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
From hot flashes to night sweats to bone and heart health, Alloy Menopausal Hormone Therapy provides comprehensive relief for premenopause and menopause symptoms. Dr. Menn notes, “MHT isn’t just for symptom relief—it supports longevity.” Their easy-to-use estradiol treatment replenishes your body’s estrogen and supports your health long-term. It’s available in flexible formats (patch, pill, spray, gel) and prescribed by Alloy’s menopause-trained doctors.
Vaginal Estradiol
Low-dose topical estradiol can help with vaginal dryness, discomfort, and recurrent UTIs by rejuvenating tissue and restoring pH balance. Dr. Menn emphasizes, “The truth about vaginal estradiol and sexual wellness is that it addresses root causes, not just symptoms.” Knowing there’s a safe, accessible option at home is a game-changer for women who are struggling with vaginal dryness.
O-mazing Cream
For menopause sexual health, O-mazing cream uses topical sildenafil to support blood flow and natural lubrication, which can improve sensation and intimacy. As Dr. Menn explains, “Sexual health is often disregarded for women, but it plays an essential role in physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing at every age.” Caring for your hormones should be a holistic experience—it’s about supporting every facet of your wellbeing.
How to know if Alloy Health is right for you
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by this new stage in life and all its unexpected side effects, Alloy makes it approachable. Every doctor they work with is a board-certified expert, and the process is clear and personalized. You complete an evaluation online, discuss your goals and health history with a licensed menopause-trained physician, and receive FDA-approved, evidence-based products tailored to your needs. Dr. Menn sums it up perfectly: “Your health truly is an investment.” For me, Alloy Health wasn’t about skipping the doctor. It was about accessing expertise in a convenient, personalized way. Between skincare, hormonal support, and sexual wellness options, I finally felt like I was caring for myself as thoroughly as I care for everyone else.
Megan Kemp, Sr. Sales Manager
Megan is the mom to her spunky 6-year-old son and cute-as-a-button 2-year-old daughter. She handles her busy days with grace and relishes family time spent under the sun gardening, playing sports, or boating at the lake.
McKenna Pringle, Branded Content Assistant
As the Branded Content Assistant, McKenna collaborates with our sales team by creating both written and social media content, collecting and analyzing performance data to report back to our partners, and assisting our editors with their everyday tasks to ensure a smooth and productive process.
This post is sponsored by Alloy but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend brands we genuinely love.
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