Taking care of your skin is important at any age, but even more so in your 40s. And using the best anti-aging skin care products for your 40s can make all the difference. Adding effective, anti-aging skin care products to your self-care routine will not only enhance the way you look, but it will positively impact the way you feel.
The thing is though, if you’ve done any kind of research on which products to buy, you’ve likely discovered that the options are endless. However, when you’re “blessed” with fair, sensitive, combination skin that’s prone to skin cancer (hypothetically-speaking of course 🙂 ), you’ve got no choice but to do your homework. So I’ve rounded up my top picks of the best anti-aging skin care products for your 40s, based on my own research and experiences.
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Taking Care of Your Skin In Your 40s
Whether or not you saw any signs of aging your 20s or 30s, your 40s are a different story. Skin concerns seem to blow up out of nowhere. Things like wrinkles, sagging, discoloration, dullness, and the dreaded dark circles or bags under the eyes seem to come into sharp focus in the bathroom mirror. 🙁
If you are dealing with any or all of these problems, you are not alone. Additionally, there are things you can do to tackle those pesky skin issues and nourish healthy, younger-looking skin.
The Importance of a Healthy Skin Care Routine in Your 40s
Implementing a good skin care routine in your 40s is not only helpful because of the anti-aging benefits to your skin, but it does wonders for your overall health and wellness, too. Folding quality skin care products into your daily self-care routine is not only important but it can be fun, too.
I honestly love using a good quality products to take care of my face. Things like gentle facial scrub, face wash, moisturizing lotion, and anti-aging serum are all part of my self-care plan. I actually look forward to my skin care routine each morning and night.
In fact, I have become kind of passionate about skin care. (Something I never thought I would ever say!)
What’s more, ever since I started taking my skin care routine more seriously, I’ve seen definite improvements. Not only that, but now when I look in the mirror, I feel good about what I see. I can’t help but find it ironic that I feel better about my skin in my 40s than I ever did in my 20s. 🙂
Why Use Anti-Aging Skin Care Products for Your 40s
As you age, your skin changes. And though that’s true of every decade, it becomes especially prominent in your 40s. You’ve enjoyed more years under the sun, and that means more sun damage. Plus, your body’s antioxidant response slows down in your 40s, so you’re more prone to harmful effects of UV rays, including skin pigmentation, age spots, and skin cancer.
Sun damage, combined with collagen loss and reduced elastin production, result in more fine lines and wrinkles. As assistant professor in dermatology at the University of Pittsburgh and director of the Cosmetic Surgery and Skin Health Center Suzan Obagi explains in this Scientific American article (2005), “after the age of 20, a person produces about 1 percent less collagen in the skin each year.”
Decreased collagen production also means thinner skin, which can lead to discoloration, too. Additionally, your skin doesn’t retain moisture in your 40s like it used to in your 20s and 30s and so it feels drier than before. Fun!
Common Skin Care Problems in your 40s
When you use anti-aging skin care products versus the regular old skin care products that served you in your 20s, you target the skin problems that are unique to your 40s. Here are some of the most common skin care problems you may experience in your 40s:
- Saggy skin
- Discoloration due to collagen loss or melasma from sun damage
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Dry skin
- Actinic Keratosis (precancer)
- Skin cancer
- Dull-looking skin
- Age spots and increased pigmentation
The Benefits of Using Anti-Aging Skin Care Products in Your 40s
I have been using the skin care products below for a couple years now and I adore them. Here are some of the benefits I have noticed:
- Natural glow and brighter skin tone
- Reduced lines
- No more dark circles
- Smoother appearance
- Softer, firmer skin
- Reduced puffiness
- Little to no blemishes
- Clearer skin and smaller pores
- Reduction in appearance of scar tissue
- Reduced discoloration from pregnancy
- Zero instances of skin cancer
How Anti-Aging Skin Care Products Boost Mental Health
There is something truly restorative about regular skin care. The soothing water, the act of cleansing your skin, the routine of all. Plus, feeling good about your skin can positively impact your self-esteem as our skin is an outward marker of beauty and health.
Improved Self-Esteem
When you feel good about the state of your skin, you feel more confident that others are perceiving you in positive ways. And while self-esteem is much more than skin-deep, taking care of your physical appearance (including your skin) is an easy way to boost it.
A study published in the Asian Journal of Beauty and Cosmetology (2010) found that it’s participants, middle-aged and elderly Korean women, experienced increased confidence and a better sense of satisfaction with skin care, which led to “improvement in their sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem, and better sense of happiness as well.”
Stress Relief
Additionally, your skin care routine can promote stress relief and relaxation. As psychotherapist explains in this InStyle article (2019), “There are certain points on the body that promotes relaxation, and the face is one of them. Using skin-to-skin contact, fingers to face, allows the blood to flow while also allowing the muscles in the face to relax. This alone sends a signal to the brain that you are in a state of relaxation putting you in a peaceful mindset.”
So it’s pretty clear that routine anti-aging skin care is not only beneficial to your physical health, but it also supports your mental health and overall wellness.
Skin Care Statistics
Just for fun, here are a few skin care statistics* to give you a sense of how consumers value and engage in skin care and why skin care is important.
- Trends show that 77% of consumers are loyal to their favorite skin care brands. [Side Note: I find this to be so true! You will notice below (and in my other posts) that I love Kiehl’s, Clinique, The Body Shop, and a couple others. I’m fiercely loyal to the brands that make amazing products that don’t let me down.]
- 1 out of 4 consumers would like their preferred skincare brands to be eco-friendly. [Like the fantastic Kinder Beauty clean beauty box, for example, that comes with luxury, cruelty-free beauty & skin care products that are shipped in eco-friendly packaging.]
- Throughout her life, the average woman spends $300 a month on skin care. [If that is you, don’t worry. You are not alone. And to be honest, if you are investing in the right products, it’s 100% worth it because of the money you will save in medical bills or expensive procedures down the road.]
- 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70 and the majority of melanoma cases are attributable to UV exposure.
- Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma. [Wear that sunscreen!]
- Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50 percent.
- People who use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily show 24 percent less skin aging than those who do not use sunscreen daily.
*These statistics were collected from the following sources:
- https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/
- https://www.aad.org/media/stats-skin-cancer
- https://disturbmenot.co/beauty-industry-statistics/
Anti-Aging Skin Care Tips for Your 40s
So how to create a skin care routine that works for you when the internet is flooded with excessive amounts of skin-care tips for younger looking skin? Well, when it comes to skin care in your 40s, the most important thing to focus on is health. Nourish healthy skin, and the rest will follow.
Here are a few quick anti-aging skin care tips for your 40s:
- Use sunscreen. Whether it’s in your foundation, your moisturizer, or you just use straight-up sunscreen, use it every day and use SPF 30 or higher. I recommend you try the Vitamin C-rich sunscreen from The Body Shop, or this amazing mineral sunscreen from Aveeno for total protection that’s good for sensitive (aging) skin.
- Stop tanning (or don’t start!). If you are worried about the signs of aging in your 40s, then stay away from tanning beds to get that sun-kissed look. Tanning accelerates your skin’s already natural aging process.
- Eat clean. Eat a healthy diet packed with fruits and vegetables and as few processed foods as possible. I have a subscription to SmoothieBox to help make sure I get enough veggies. If you want to try SmoothieBox, I highly recommend them for healthier eating. Use code CENTEREDPARENT to get $15 Off + FREE Shipping On Your First SmoothieBox.
- Get enough sleep. Skin care products can only get you so far. Good sleep hygiene, a regular bedtime, and consistent sleep averaging 7 hours or more will have your skin looking it’s best. A good weighted blanket can help improve your sleep, too!
- Moisturize every day. Using products that help your skin retain moisture will not only make your skin look plumper and feel softer, but it will help improve your skin’s ability to act as a natural protectant barrier against the bad stuff in the air.
- Quit smoking. Add healthier skin to the long list of reasons to quit smoking. There is no time like the present. Just quit it. Do it. You will feel better inside and out and your forty-something skin will thank you.
- Use products designed for anti-aging. This is not a sales pitch. Dermatologists everywhere recommend anti-aging skin care products specifically designed for your 40s. And I am here to tell you, they work and they are worth it.
The Best Anti Aging Skin Care Products for Your 40s
Now that you know why you should use the best anti-aging skin care products in your 40s, and how to promote healthy skin with a good self-care routine, it’s time to talk about the products!
Here are my top picks for the best anti-aging skin care products for your 40s:
- Thayers Witch Hazel Facial Toner
- Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment
- Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Serum
- The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Protection Lotion
- Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate
- Clinique Smart Clinical™ MD Multi-Dimensional Age Transformer Duo Resculpt + Revolumize
- Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser
This toner is alcohol-free and made with witch hazel and aloe vera. Really good for sensitive skin and great for anti-aging thanks to moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. It won’t strip your skin like alcohol-based astringent or toner. It comes in unscented, rose petal, cucumber, coconut water, and lavender. I love this stuff and I use it every day. Lavender is my favorite.
This stuff is phenomenal. I use it every night under my eyes and around my eye lids. It gently moisturizes your skin thanks to natural ingredients like avocado oil, beta-carotene, and shea butter. The texture is definitely creamy and a little goes a long way. I’ve seen noticeable improvement in the skin all around my eyes. According to the product description it “depuffs and brightens under the eyes” and I can say it honestly does!
This anti-aging serum targets fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. A few drops each morning and night will make a difference in a matter of days. I have seen improvement in my skin for sure thanks to this serum. It’s highly rated on the Clinique site and considering how effective it is, the price is good, too.
Keeping your skin clean and fresh is key in achieving healthier, younger-looking skin. I love this age defying exfoliator from Borghese. This gentle yet powerful scrub leaves my skin looking so bright. It helps smooth and resurface the skin, promoting a healthy, radiant appearance.
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate is an amazing product that helps your skin repair itself while you sleep. I adore this facial oil because it makes my skin firmer and brighter overnight. It also boosts moisture to help restore saggy, tired-looking skin. It’s got Lavender Essential Oil and Evening Primrose Oil to nourish younger-looking skin, even after just one night.
For more amazing skin care products, check out these outstanding subscription boxes for women.
I purchased this product a while back as part of a gift set that included the Clinique Smart Custom Repair Serum and the Custom Repair Eye Treatment and I fell in love. This stuff is anti-aging support to the max. This dynamic duo is good for all skin types and includes two amazing moisturizers in one. One side helps tighten your skin while the other side helps plump it up to perfection. Both have helped my skin feel smoother and more supple, which equals younger-looking, healthy skin.
This incredible cleanser is the reason I fell in love with Kiehl’s skin care products. After I use it, my skin feels fresh, clean, and super soft. There is something about the Amazonian clay that does remarkable things to my skin. It gently exfoliates but never leaves my skin feeling dry. I have been using this cleanser for years. And thanks to the way it helps with moisture retention, it’s an anti-aging must!
This amazing mineral sunscreen is made just for mamas. It comes in a convenient stick form which I really appreciate not only for applying on my face but also because it makes it easy to keep in my purse. This mineral sunscreen is also tinted (comes in two options) so you don’t have to worry about that blue-white residue that you get from other mineral sunscreens. It’s non-greasy, organic ingredients glide on really smooth and make it really easy to blend with makeup. A really amazing way to protect your lady face. 🙂
Thanks for reading my post on the best anti-aging skin care products for your 40s. I hope you got what you needed. 🙂 Now you’re on your way to younger, healthier looking skin!
