The Complete Guide to Skincare in Your 40s, Recommended by Dermatologists

Close up of woman's face applying skincare

Stocksy

Meet the Expert


Any dermatologist will tell you it's never too late to start caring for your skin—but the earlier you develop a regimen, the better. The reality is that as we age, so does our skin. And the fourth decade is known for bringing texture changes including dull, uneven skin that is more prone to wrinkles and fine lines. While our bouncy, smooth complexions of yesteryear may seem like a distant memory, dermatologists agree that there are many ways to revive skin, even as we enter another decade.

"Adopt skincare habits that are enjoyable to you," says dermatologist, Craig Kraffert. "If your skincare routine is not enjoyable, continuity is difficult. Choose products of high quality. And select your active ingredients carefully."

To find out how to make skin look its best for as long as possible, we spoke to several dermatologists in addition to Dr. Kraffert, who share everything from establishing a skincare routine to treatments to try for healthy, glowing skin. Keep reading to see their advice on achieving great skin in your 40s.

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 (or the years leading up to menopause), during which your estrogen levels begin to decrease. The result: skin becomes thin and loses its elasticity. So it's necessary that you adapt to the changes in your skin with a new skincare routine that better fits your needs.

To start, dermatologist Dendy Engelman, recommends switching your facial cleanser. "Now you need something [gentler], like a cleansing oil (my pick is SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil, $75)." In her own personal routine, she says "I still use my vitamin C antioxidant but follow with a face cream and eye cream for added hydration." The name of the game for aging skin is moisturization, so you're going to want to look for richer textures. "With crow's feet, you need to target the area to reduce wrinkles," says Dr. Engelman, so an eye cream that's extra hydrating for the delicate eye area is key. If you're looking to brighten your skin, Dr. Engelman says that masks that fade brown spots and reduce hyperpigmentation can be a good option. There are also certain ingredients that can help solve targeted concerns that we outline below.

As for additional lifestyle changes, tweaking your diet may help, too. A steady amount of collagen-boosting foods and healthy fats, along with plenty of water can all contribute to clear, plump skin.

Ingredients to Incorporate Into Your Routine

The glossary of skincare terms is ever-expanding, but especially as you age. You'll start noticing ingredients like retinol, ferulic acid, and hyaluronic acid becoming a mainstay on your vanity. Dermatologists recommend incorporating the below into your skincare routine.

Retinoids

Dr. Engelman loves the wrinkle and acne-fighting prowess of retinoids. "Retinoids are the backbone of any acne treatment," she says, noting that they should be applied at night as the vitamin A derivative is meant to work preventatively to fight wrinkles and boost collagen production "Retinoids help treat two major causes of acne: dead-skin buildup and inflammation. Previously, all retinoids were prescription-only, but the FDA approved adapalene (marketed as Differin Gel and Proactiv Adapalene Gel) to be sold over the counter without a prescription." Studies have found that the consistent use of retinoids can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in as little as 12 weeks.

Vitamin C

Dermatologists agree that the antioxidant vitamin C is one of the most important ingredients to start using in your 20s and 30s (and to continue using in your 40s), as it helps prevent dark spots before they happen and supports collagen before you lose it. "Vitamin C is a terrific skin brightener with firming benefits since it boosts collagen and has antioxidant and UV protection benefits as well," says Miami-based cosmetic dermatologist, Loretta Ciraldo.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are one of the most beneficial skincare ingredients that you should be using (starting as early as your 20s). They fight free radical damage, contribute to glowing skin, prevent inflammation, and so much more. Dr. Engelman prefers to target anti-aging with her favorite "gold standard" product, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($182). "This product will noticeably reduce fine lines and wrinkles while improving overall skin appearance," she says.

An Ideal Skincare Routine for People in Their 40s

The older we get, the more we crave quick and easy, yet effective beauty routines. All of our experts agree that keeping your skincare routine basic is the way to go. "Overuse of products makes our barrier weak and can actually cause rapid aging since the skin cannot properly defend itself against environmental stressors," says Dr. Engelman of stripping the skin.

Byrdie Tip

If you have acne, dermatologist Gervaise Gerstner recommends avoiding dairy, sugar, gluten, and to look for ways to decrease cortisol, all of which can "spike insulin levels and throw your hormones out of whack, which then causes breakouts." If topical treatments have not reduced acne, talk to your dermatologist about prescriptive oral remedies.

Morning

  • Wash your face: Use a gentle cleanser to wash away products from the night before and prep your skin for the day. Derms love CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser ($12), for its simple ingredients and ability to remove dirt, oil, and makeup, yet leave skin soft and hydrated.
  • Exfoliate: After you wash your face, you might want to exfoliate. "Maturing skin thickens, which can make it look a bit more dull," says board-certified dermatologist, Audrey Kunin. Additionally, Dr. Ciraldo explains that our dead skin cells don't shed as fast as we age, which makes the skin start to look lackluster and textured. Since skin repairs itself overnight (and may leave behind dead skin cells), it's best to exfoliate in the morning (about two to three times per week) to slough away any dullness-inducing dead skin.
  • Apply serums: As mentioned above, vitamin C is a must-have ingredient as skin reaps so many benefits from it (fades dark spots, brightens skin, boosts collagen). Dr. Engelman recommends Vichy Pure Vitamin C Serum Brightening Skin Corrector ($28) for its moisturizing effects thanks to hyaluronic acid.
  • Apply moisturizer: According to Dr. Ciraldo, skin can get drier, flakier, and duller as we age, so a good moisturizer is key. Dermatologists will typically recommend including moisture-trapping lipids, which mimic the natural lipids in babies' super soft skin that deteriorate over time. Dr. Ciraldo recommends CeraVe Moisturizing Cream ($16), which contains the skin-healing ingredient, at a super-affordable price. 
  • Don't forget sunscreen: Using sunscreen daily can reduce the risk of developing skin cancer by about 50 percent, so it's crucial to develop a relationship with SPF as early as you can. "Apply on all exposed skin surfaces every day with a commitment to consistency," says Dr. Kraffert, who notes that The American Academy of Dermatology recommends an SPF of at least 30 or higher. "This includes hands, exposed forearms, neck (front, sides, back) and décolleté in addition to the face." We love Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 40 ($38) for its invisible, weightless feel, and that it turns to a powder formulation as soon as it goes on. Another pick is EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen ($37), which goes on completely clear with zero white cast.

Evening

  • Remove your makeup: Use a gentle cleansing balm to remove your makeup. Our pick is Juno & Co. Clean 10 Cleansing Balm ($15) for its ability to dissolve makeup effortlessly thanks to a milky consistency that leaves skin feeling hydrated. If you prefer to use cotton round or a makeup removal pad, take care not to pull and tug over delicate areas like your eyes and undereyes.
  • Wash your face: Reach for that gentle cleanser again to wash off any lingering makeup residue.
  • Apply a hyaluronic acid serum (optional): Hyaluronic acid is another dermatologist-recommended moisturizing ingredient as it is one of the key molecules that affects skin moisture levels. Hyaluronic acid's impressive ability to hold water greatly improves moisture levels in the skin.
  • Apply moisturizer: Be sure to apply a generous amount of moisturizer over your face, neck, and décolletage
  • Apply face oil (optional): While serums come before your moisturizer, oils come after. This step in your routine is up to you, but take into consideration that face oils can help seal in your moisturizer, support healthy skin, and leave you with an allover glow.

Byrdie Tip

According to our experts, vitamin C works best when applied as part of your morning skincare prep, whereas retinoids work best during your nighttime routine.


In addition to curating the right skincare routine (with sunscreen), Dr. Kunin says "Now is the time to get a baseline skin evaluation from your dermatologist to make sure there are no early signs of precancerous skin changes." She adds, "It is always much easier to catch something in its early stages than suffer the consequences later on." So wash your face, apply your products, protect from the sun, and check in on your skin.

At-Home Skincare Treatments

Smooth, healthy skin doesn't have to be earned in a doctor's office or medspa. There are plenty of at-home treatments that can support your skin health journey.

NuFace

Believe it or not, it is possible to get a mini face lift at home, with products like NuFace. A microccurent device used to stimulate the facial muscles. The device is used to help lift and contour the skin, and based on reviews, it has immediate results.

LED Therapy

LED Therapy has been touted as the way to improve a host of skin issues including psoriasis, rosacea, mild acne, and discoloration. More and more blue and red light therapy devices are appearing on the market, from masks and wands to lamps. While you'll have better results in an office, LED Therapy at home is a few minutes away.

Micro-needling

Dr. Gerstner says that micro-needling is an excellent preventative measure to take. By rolling the tiny needles along your face, you're creating micro-injuries on the skin, which then increase collagen and elastin production to help the skin heal. This regeneration then "thickens" the skin a bit to help fill out fine lines and hide dark circles.

Professional Skincare Treatments

If you're not seeing results from topical treatments, or simply want to try something different, there are plenty of in-office treatments available. Be sure to speak with you dermatologist before booking an appointment, so they can help decide what works best for your skin's needs.

Medical Facial

Dr. Engelman advocates for regular medical facials (these expose deeper areas of the skin as opposed to a regular facial) that not only clean the skin but also use blue and red light therapy. "This will support collagen production and also target breakouts by killing bacteria deep in the skin," she explains.

Botox

Botox does more than treat fine lines and wrinkles, it can prevent them, too. Baby botox is popular among the 20s and 30s crowd as a smaller amount of the injectable is used to give a more relaxed, natural look. Dr. Engelman is keen to administer injectables when necessary. "My rule of thumb for Botox is if you can see the lines when you're not making the expression, it is time." No matter your age, do your research and ask questions before committing to any Botox treatments, which though temporary, can have unpleasant results if not done properly.

Fillers

If you want to go the injectables route, consider facial fillers, which can rebuild collagen, restore volume to hollowed areas like your cheeks, contour jawlines, and reduce the appearance of darker circles under the eyes. Popular fillers include naturally occurring ones that dissolve on their own like hyaluronic acid-based (think Restylane and Juvéderm), and Calcium Hydroxylapatite-based fillers (Radiesse). Poly-L-lactic acid fillers are synthetic fillers, but last longer than the aforementioned. Before you consider an injectable, talk to your dermatologist about your goals and they will help you decide which option is best for you.

Lasers

When you think of laser therapy, most often the name Fraxel will come to mind. A type of fractional laser, Fraxel has been known to drastically reduce hyperpigmentation and fine lines in just one skin-resurfacing treatment. It is not for all skin types, and the downtime is about five to seven days, so a consultation is recommended, but Fraxel is a top treatment for a more youthful complexion.

Though technically not a laser, you may come across Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) lasers, which can be used to treat facial lines and wrinkles, vascular lesions (including rosacea, broken capillaries, port wine stains), discoloration and acne. It could be a good option if you're on the fence about laser therapy.

PRP Injections

In-office treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections paired with Clear + Brilliant are also options for smoother skin. You've probably seen PRP touted as "vampire facials" à la Kim Kardashian West. In this treatment, the patient's own blood is spun in a centrifuge, and the activated platelets are then injected back into the skin to initiate reparative cells for a fresher, more youthful-looking complexion. Clear + Brilliant is a dermatologist-loved laser treatment that creates millions of microscopic thermal injuries on the upper layers of the skin meant to help exfoliate away dead cells. When used in tandem, the anti-aging benefits are multiplied.

The Takeaway

As you age, your skin goes through a myriad of changes and has different needs. Once you identify what those needs are (dullness, fine lines, discoloration, etc.), consistency in skincare is key. From using the right products, incorporating potent ingredients, and living a healthy lifestyle, there are many factors that can aid in skin's appearance. There are also at-home and in-office treatments that can help you on your skin journey; identifying your top skin concerns and consulting with a board-certified dermatologist can really level up your skincare routine. Lastly, while more youthful-looking skin is a nice bonus, making sure your skin is protected against skin cancer is an important factor to consider. Wearing sunscreen and getting yearly skin checks should be a non-negotiable.

Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
  1. Thornton MJ. Estrogens and aging skinDermatoendocrinol. 2013;5(2):264-270. doi:10.4161/derm.23872

  2. Romańska-Gocka K, Woźniak M, Kaczmarek-Skamira E, Zegarska B. The possible role of diet in the pathogenesis of adult female acnePostepy Dermatol Alergol. 2016;33(6):416-420. doi:10.5114/ada.2016.63880

  3. Skin Cancer Foundation. All about sunscreen. Updated May, 2021.

  4. Pfaff S, Liebmann J, et al. “Prospective randomized long-term study on the efficacy and safety of UV-free blue light for treating mild psoriasis vulgaris.” Dermatology 2015;231:24-34.

    Weinstabl A, Hoff-Lesch S, et al. “Prospective randomized study on the efficacy of blue light in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.” Dermatology 2011;223:251-9.

  5. Iriarte C, Awosika O, Rengifo-Pardo M, Ehrlich A. Review of applications of microneedling in dermatologyClin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017;10:289-298. doi:10.2147/CCID.S142450

Related Stories