How to Adapt Your Skincare Routine in Your 40s

As we age, the needs of our skin change. The products that worked in our 20s and 30s might not be as efficient in our 40s. If you haven't been diligent about your skincare routine, now it's time for consistency. Don't underestimate how big of an impact a regular skincare routine can have on the state of the skin.

What happens to our skin in our 40s?

The production of collagen and elastin drops. Likewise, it takes longer for our skin to heal and bounce back. It could be an injury/trauma or “dubious”* lifestyle choices. Things that were normal in our 20s just don't fly anymore. Also, the process of shedding our old skin cells slows down. This can make skin look dull, gray, and tired.

*By dubious, we don't mean all night benders and eating our weight in crisps. Oh no! It takes a mere whiff of alcohol and a pinch of salt somewhere in our orbit to make us look... let's just say, less-than-fresh in the morning.

How to adapt our skincare routine

AM routine

Go for cream or milk cleansers to keep your skin soft, supple, and comfortable. If you are on the oily side, opt for gel cleansers rather than foam. If you are on the drier side, cleansing oils and balms work too, especially if you practice a double cleanse in the evenings.

AM routine should include an antioxidant and a hydrating serum. There are plenty of antioxidants available on the market, some more researched than the others. In our opinion, you can't go wrong with the good old vitamin C. Vitamin C serum restores the skin by boosting the collagen synthesis as well as protects it against any new damage. On the bonus side, it also fades existing sun damage and gives you a lovely glow.

Hydration is the key to keeping our skin plump and wrinkle-free. A good Hyaluronic acid serum is a must for any skincare stash regardless of our age.

PM routine

Chemical exfoliation is a fabulous thing. It clarifies the skin, helps lift the dead skin cells and leaves your skin bright and radiant. It also helps your other skincare product penetrate better. But it can be so easy to overexfoliate the skin. Not to mention, as we age, our skin gets thinner. You don't want to irritate it even further. You don't need to exfoliate twice a day, every single day to see the results. If your skin can only handle acids a couple of times per week, that's perfectly fine. As we always say - take it slow!

Retinol is the be-all and end-all of any skincare routine past the age of 30. If you never used a retinol serum before, go for lower percentages and/or milder forms. It might take a bit longer to see the results, but it is working. Work your way up to nightly use, once your skin adapted to the product. Likewise, if your skin is tolerating the retinol well, you can always go for a higher percentage. Consistency and patience are the keys.

If your skin is on the drier side, consider adding a facial oil to your evening routine.

Last, but not least - please use sunscreen. On a daily basis.

Other habits to practice

• Regular visits to a dermatologist to get checked for any potential changes in the skin that might be an early sign of skin cancer.
• Don't forget about your neck and your hands. Your skincare products should be applied all the way to your breasts. Have an excess of a product? Slap it on the back of your hands.
• Another thing you can do to keep your skin in tip-top shape is with regular visits to a facialist.