Your forties are a decade to embrace—a time of wisdom, resilience, and countless cherished moments. There’s no reason to hide the story your face tells. Instead, focus on refreshing your complexion to maintain its health, radiance, and protection. It’s less about reversing time and more about ensuring skin longevity.
While genetics play a role, other factors like hormonal shifts (particularly perimenopause and menopause), a natural decline in collagen production, reduced exfoliation, and cumulative sun damage contribute to changes in your skin. Thankfully, there’s much you can do to achieve your skincare goals.
Who We Spoke To:
- Corey L. Hartman, MD: Board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, AL.
- Mona Gohara, MD: Board-certified dermatologist, associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University, and founder of.
- Dara Spearman, MD, FAAD: Board-certified dermatologist and owner of Radiant Dermatology Associates in Fort Wayne, IN.
- Brendan Camp, MD: Board-certified dermatologist practicing at MDCS in New York.
The key to skincare in your forties is a preventative and corrective approach. Using research-backed ingredients in well-formulated products can help address existing issues or prevent new ones from arising.
How Your Skin Changes in Your Forties
As you enter your forties, your skin experiences significant biological and environmental shifts. This is when the visible signs of aging—like fine lines, sun spots, and dryness—become more noticeable. Common changes include:
- Increased Dryness and Sensitivity: Many women in their forties begin perimenopause, leading to fluctuating hormones and reduced sebum production (the natural oil that lubricates skin).
- Sagging and Fine Lines: As estrogen levels drop after menopause, skin loses its ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production. A study showed that collagen production decreases by up to 30% in the five years following menopause. Collagen and elastin provide volume, firmness, and a youthful appearance.
- Dullness: Skin’s natural exfoliation slows down with age, leading to a buildup of dead cells on the surface. This dulls the complexion, hiding your natural glow. Exfoliating acids (AHAs or BHAs) can help loosen the bonds between skin cells, revealing a fresher surface.
- Uneven Skin Tone: Cumulative sun damage from daily activities, sunburns, and tanning beds leads to dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
Confirming Sun Damage: Dermatologists recommend checking your stomach and buttocks in the mirror. “Your butt is how your whole skin would look if you always protected it from the sun,” explains Dr. Zalka. Even though you can’t reverse aging, consistent sunscreen use in the morning and a retinol serum at night can help minimize further sun damage and maximize your skin’s current beauty.
The Best Skincare Routine for Your Forties
Great news: effective skincare doesn’t always require a high price tag. A well-formulated product with the right ingredients and consistency can be just as effective as luxury creams.
The Best Morning Skincare Routine
Dermatologists agree that the focus should be on ingredients and routine rather than brand. Here’s a dermatologist-approved routine with promising picks under $100 from brands like Cetaphil, La Roche-Posay, and Olay.
The Best Evening Skincare Routine
Streamline your routine by utilizing multi-use products. At night, you can use the same cleanser and moisturizer from your morning routine, swapping in a retinol and a hyaluronic acid serum to replace your vitamin C. Consider investing in an LED face mask to boost anti-aging results, though this may cost more than $400.
Ultimately, a consistent, well-thought-out routine using effective ingredients is more important than spending a lot of money on skincare.
Conclusion:
Skincare in your forties is about acknowledging change and proactively supporting your skin’s health and resilience. By understanding how your skin changes and incorporating a targeted routine with proven ingredients, you can maintain a healthy, radiant, and protected complexion for years to come. It’s not about turning back time but about celebrating the story your skin tells.
