Written in collaboration with Emily Jones
The skin changes after 40 years of age, and many report facing more defined fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and texture changes around this time. What worked for your skin just last year may be different than it does after 40 years of age, so building an effective skincare routine and caring for mature skin to give it what it needs can make a big difference.
Here are some ways on how you can take care of your skin after 40.
Invest in a high-quality moisturizer
A high-quality moisturizer is essential in order for your skin to feel nourished. With a lessened production of hyaluronic acid, you want to restore your skin’s hydration to help reduce significant development of fine lines and wrinkles, and a proper moisturizer can help you do that! The one from the BL+ brand is among the best Blue Lagoon skincare products if you are in the market for a new moisturizer.
Apply a face oil at night
A face oil gives deeper levels of nourishment compared to just using a moisturizer. Test how your skin responds to different face oils like jojoba oil and blends, and find one that you love. If you notice your skin just not responding the best, be sure your nighttime moisturizer is nourishing enough if you want to forgo the face oil.
Wear sunscreen everyday
While your skin matures, it becomes more susceptible to damage so be sure that you protect your skin from the sun with a proper sunscreen every day. SPF in makeup products alone is not enough; you want a dedicated face sunscreen and then you can add those SPF makeup products afterwards if you’d like to. Don’t forget about your neck, chest, hands and the rest of your body! And reapply, reapply, reapply- especially during the summer months when you may be in and out of water.
Tone
After cleansing your skin, go in with a pH balancing toner to help your skin reset and prep it for next steps in your skincare routine. Many report noticing that the next skincare products that they use after toning absorb into the skin better compared to when they skin the toning step.
Exfoliate in moderation
While exfoliating is important, you don’t want to over-exfoliate since the outer layer of skin is thinner after 40! Use a gentle exfoliant such as a gentle physical scrub or chemical exfoliant to buff away dead skin cells and reveal skin underneath. Particularly if you are using retinoid products, you don’t want to overdo this step!
Use retinol 2-3x week
Retinol increases the production of collagen and boosts cell turnover, and the incorporation of this product is one that many report finding the most drastic difference with. Use a couple times a week and you can work with a dermatologist if you want a more robust routine with a higher percentage for your retinol product, as appropriate.
Do you have any good tips to share on how to care for skin after 40?
This post was written in collaboration with Emily Jones
