Skincare After 40: Products, Ingredients & Tips You Don’t Want to Miss

Society hasn’t made it easy for people, especially women, to step into their 40s. However, more and more people have realized it’s time to leave the dated “over the hill” dialect in the rear-view mirror and embrace “aging gracefully.” That is, feeling empowered to find natural solutions to keeping their skin looking youthful while also embracing the reality that skin ages with time – and that’s totally okay.

When it comes to skincare, what does that mean? Zero in on a routine you enjoy doing every day, try out more make-up free days (if that sparks your confidence), and focus on overall health and wellness of your skin, body, and mind – for example.

Want some quick help with that? Below is the simplest routine for anyone ages 40 to 50 – but with powerful results. Try it out, customize it to your skin’s needs, and enjoy!

How Should Your Skincare Routine Change in Your 40s?

The changes in your skin that you may be noticing are most likely due to perimenopause (the years leading up to menopause). That’s about the time your estrogen levels begin to decrease. The result: skin becomes thin and loses its elasticity.

Your collagen supply is also running really low from your 40s onward, meaning less of that youthful plumped look to your complexion. Lastly, Dr. Ciraldo, Miami-based, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist, explains to Byrdie that our dead skin cells don't shed as fast as we age, which makes the skin start to look lackluster and textured.

So, now’s the time when you may be more focused on plumping your skin and revitalizing that glow. For more radical improvements, there are always in-office solutions; however, there’s also a lot you can accomplish on your own using the right products.

Cleanser

The basics begin with a great cleansing of your face at the end of the day. However, harsh, drying cleansers – if you didn’t already ditch them in your 30s – should now become a thing of the past.

Ceramides, for example, help keep our skin barrier healthy and are very gentle on the skin. You can also look for creamy textures rather than gel or foams, which are often drying on the skin.

Exfoliating Products

A gentle exfoliate is going to be your friend. Since we mentioned skin doesn’t turnover as fast, exfoliation helps slough away dead skin and dullness.

But here’s the thing: those harsh physical exfoliants (like those little beads) are too rough on your skin now. "Most mature skin tends to be a bit drier, so enzymes are a good choice," says Suneel Chilukuri, MD, of Refresh Dermatology, to Who What Wear, adding that retinols and peels are also a good choice for mature skin.

Neck & Decolletage Treatments

You may have added LED Light treatment to your routine in your 30s, but now’s a good time to invest a bit further. That is, from your face down into your neck and chest area. That’s because the American Academy of Dermatology Dr. Ronald Moy tells Forbes that the first issue women in their 40s complain about is thinner skin around the eyes and neck.

If you didn’t already know, LED Therapy has been touted as the way to improve a host of skin issues including rosacea, mild acne, and discoloration. LED light therapy on your neck and decolletage, in addition, can help with those pesky sun spots and fine lines that you often see in that area. It’s a true investment into your skincare journey.

You should also make sure to bring your skincare routine – i.e., moisturizer and serums – down to your neck and chest to help the skin there looking great.

Serums

While a blanket approach may have worked in your 30s, you may want to take a targeted approach to your skin now. Use your serum as a time to customize your skincare. Below are some great options for maturing skin.

• Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF): An amazing ingredient to thicken skin, this one works at a cellular level to repair and rejuvenate.
• Hyaluronic Acid: A fan favorite when it comes to hydration, it can help lock in moisture and plump things up.
• Niacinamide: A form of vitamin B3, it’s clarifying, brightening, and wonderful at reducing the look of fine lines.

Get to know your new skin and its needs. Maybe you'd like to introduce some new procedures like peels and microneedling to achieve a glow that fills you with confidence. Microneedling for example, goes beyond the skin’s surface to deliver serum so you get maximum results. It also stimulates collagen production through this mild penetration into the skin. So if you feel your everyday serum has lost its “oomph,” you may want to add in at-home microneedling.

Moisturizers

At this stage in your life, it’s time to shift focus towards promoting collagen and elastin production: the duo of proteins that keep your complexion plump. You can directly opt for a collagen cream. As mentioned, ceramides and hyaluronic acid are also good options, although you can grab whatever feels best on your skin within your price range.

Bonus: Eye Cream

As mentioned, your eyes are a place that usually starts showing signs of aging first. So as you tackle your nice, nightly moisturizer at the end of the day, consider adding a cream just for your eye area. Peptides, and all the wrinkle-fighting ingredients above, are good options here.

SPF

You can’t undo sun damage, but you can still protect against it. “The sun’s rays make our skin age more quickly,” according to the AAD. Here are some more tips they give for those in their 40s and 50s:

• Head to some shade between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m to avoid the harshest sunlight.
• Apply sunscreen SPF 30 or higher every two hours while you’re out.
• Keep in mind that sunglasses help reduce fine lines around our eyes.

As for additional lifestyle changes, tweaking your diet may help, too. Eating healthy fats and avoiding seed oils, along with plenty of water can all contribute to clear, plump skin.

Forty and Fabulous

It’s true that your 40s is when many people look in the mirror and notice they look different. And you do look different. You’ve got the expression lines from many memories living on your face. It’s normal, natural, and beautiful. Your 40s is the perfect time to adjust your routine to something productive yet easy to upkeep. You're beautiful when you feel beautiful.