The Boone Journal

What if high cortisol isn’t the problem… but the body’s response to something deeper? Many women are told their cortisol is too high— yet no one stops to ask why. In my work, I often see a quieter pattern: blood sugar drops, especially overnight, and the body responds the only way it knows how—by releasing cortisol to restore balance. Not dysfunction. Protection.

Winter is already hard on the skin—but during perimenopause and menopause, it can quietly accelerate aging at a deeper level. Cold temperatures, dry indoor heat, and declining estrogen all compromise the skin barrier, leading to increased water loss, inflammation, and more visible fine lines. Protecting the skin barrier isn’t optional in this season of life—it’s foundational.