There’s something special about your 40s. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re either in this decade of your life, or about to be. So you’ll know that your confidence is shining brighter, you know yourself better than ever, and your priorities have shifted towards things that really matter. And with all of this positive lifestyle change, comes changes in your skin as well. While you may have started to notice a few new lines creeping up on you, changes in firmness, or a slightly different texture, these shifts are not something to be feared, like the decade itself, they’re simply marking a new chapter in your skin’s story.
And, all in all, your skin is probably still looking pretty fantastic. Especially if you haven’t been skipping the sunscreen and jumped on the retinol bandwagon early. All that hard work from your former decades should be starting to pay off, and combined with your newfound confidence, you should be feeling like yourself, only better…
But if you have started to notice a few lines creeping up on you, don’t stress. The good news is that with a little extra care and thoughtful approach, your skin can look and feel just as healthy as it did in your 20s and 30s. But, as always, the first step to caring for your skin is understanding what’s going on underneath. Whether you’re looking to maintain your youthful glow, boost hydration, or just support your skin through this next phase of life, here are some thoughtful updates you can make to your routine that will make all the difference.
How your skin changes in your 40s
Like all things in life, understanding the why is the first step to success. As you may have noticed, your skin in your 40s doesn’t exactly behave the same way it did in your 20s and 30s. Natural biological changes are responsible mainly, and this means you will likely start to notice a change in your skin's texture, tone and elasticity. The cumulative effects of sun exposure, lifestyle habits, and environmental stressors will also start to become more visible. So, if you’re reading this in advance of your 40th birthday, get that sunscreen on ya stat! Your 40s are when all that hard work you’ve done to protect your skin will start to pay off. Here are a few more ways our skin changes in our 40s.
Decline in collagen and elastin
One of the key changes the skin will undergo is a decline in collagen and elastin production. These proteins are responsible for keeping our skin looking firm, subtle and bouncy. And this is not necessarily a new change, as it’s actually around the age of 25 that our collagen levels will begin to drop. But, in your 20s, you have an abundance of collagen to burn, so you may not notice the impact this has on the skin until around now.
This can manifest in a number of ways, but the most noticeable sign is that the skin feels less taut, some deeper lines may begin to form, and you may notice sagging.
Slower cell turnover
Again, this is not a new change, so to speak, but as we enter our 40s, the signs of a decrease in our skin’s natural renewal process may begin to show. To put it into perspective, when we’re younger, our skin tends to renew itself roughly every 28 days. By your 40s, the cycle can extend to 40 days or more, which can lead to a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface that aren’t being cleared away nearly as fast. This makes the complexion of the skin more dull, uneven and textured, which can make it harder for skincare products to absorb properly, and makeup may start to ‘sit’ on the skin.
Moisture loss and a weakened barrier
Another change the skin is going through is a reduction in its ability to retain moisture. This is because the lipid barrier, which is responsible for trapping hydration into the skin, starts to become less efficient, which can lead to dryness, flakiness, and increased sensitivity. Without proper care and products, this can lead to fine lines appearing more pronounced, and the skin may feel rough and uncomfortable.
Hormonal fluctuations
Like all things hormonal, the exact age and stage which we go through our different milestones will vary from person to person. But, for many of us, our 40s will mark the beginning of some major hormonal shifts, particularly those associated with perimenopause. This has a significant influence on how our skin behaves, and just like in those dreaded teenage years, you may notice some significant changes in the skin. Except, unlike our teenage selves, this usually shows up in the form of thinning, loss of density and sun damage rather than acne and oiliness.
How your skincare routine should change in your 40s
Caring for your skin in your 40s is not about ‘fighting ageing’, it’s just about ensuring you’re equipped with everything you and your skin need to bridge this transition period. Because, yes, your skin is changing, but so are you (in a good way).
Think of your 40s skincare routine a bit like upgrading from fast fashion to investment pieces, it’s about choosing products that work hard, last longer and deliver the best results. Your focus should really boil down to four main things: hydrate like your life depends on it, encourage collagen production, defending against environmental chaos, and giving your skin an extra nudge to renew. Here are a few things you can do to help…
Hydration, inside and out
Put it this way, if your skin could text you, in your 40s it would be sending some iteration of “more hydration!” in every message. When our skin becomes dehydrated, it can feel tight, make fine lines more obvious, and just make the overall appearance of the skin seem ‘meh’. So now’s the time to bring the heavy hitters like retinol, vitamin C, and peptides.
Look for moisturisers and serums that don’t just look pretty in your bathroom cabinet, but also actively pull water into your skin and make it stay there. Layering hydrating products under richer creams is a great way to get the most out of them, particularly if your skin feels like the Sahara desert after cleansing.
Boost your collagen
As we’ve discussed, your collagen may start to become one foot out the door by the time you reach your 40s. The stronger your collagen production, the smoother, firmer and bouncier your skin will look. And while you can’t magically replace lost collagen, you can encourage your skin to make more of it.
Retinols are usually the gold standard here, as they help to stimulate collagen production and speed up cell turnover. Go easy if you’re new to them, as some skin takes some time to adjust. Peptides are also one to watch, as they send clever signals to your skin to build more collagen.
Don’t skip the SPF
If SPF wasn’t already a daily habit, your 40s should be the wake-up call you need. UV damage is essentially the fast track to fine lines, sagging and pigmentation ,and while some people can get away with being a bit slack when they’re younger, the 40s are likely when this will all start to catch up with them. Even on cloudy days, even if you don’t step foot near a window, you need to be wearing your sunscreen every day. And don’t skimp on this step, your SPF is not the product to be trying to save a few dollars on; invest in a good one, you will not regret it.
Of course, remember to reapply throughout the day, especially if you’re outside - but even if you’re not!
Exfoliation is key
Remember when your skin would bounce back like a human disco ball, no matter what you threw at it? Yes, well, those days are probably going to be over soon. In your 40s, you may notice that dead skin cells stick around a little longer than they’re welcome. The solution? Exfoliation, but make it gentle.
Swap out aggressive scrubs (which hopefully you have already) for chemical exfoliants like AHAS and BHAS. They do the job without wreaking absolute havoc on your skin.
Lifestyle tweaks matter too
With all this being said, skincare doesn’t begin and end at the bathroom sink. Your lifestyle habits also play a huge role in how your skin behaves. Getting enough sleep, eating plenty of nutritious foods, managing stress and drinking water can all support better skin.
Small changes like cutting down on processed foods, sugar and excessive alcohol can also make a big difference, not just to how your skin looks but to how you feel overall. No one’s saying you can’t have a cocktail or a cheeseburger every now and again… just maybe balance it out with some broccoli and a walk outside every now and then.
And yes, regular facials and some fancy tools like an LED mask can all be great too, but remember that no matter the change, nothing beats the basics done consistently.