If you’re looking for the best skin care routine for your 40s, the beautyheaven community has got your back. Finding products to suit your skin can often be overwhelming but their reviews are here to guide you in the right direction.
From dark spots to wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and sensitivity, our skin can throw all sorts at us as it changes over the years. So whether you’re battling a newfound skin concern or just want some everyday skin care advice and suggestions, you’ll find solutions from fellow 40+ beauty friends here.
What skin care should I be using in my 40s?
Before we dive into some product options, it’s important to know there is no golden ‘one way’ to use skin care in your 40s. What will work for you will depend on a number of factors, not limited to your skin type and personal preferences.
For the most simple routine in the morning, start with cleanse, moisturise and protect. Wash your face, give it some hydration and protect it with a sunscreen. One extra step you could consider here is a vitamin C serum. It adds antioxidant protection to defend from free-radicals throughout the day and helps to diminish some signs of ageing, including age spots or hyperpigmentation.
For the evening, think: cleanse, treat and moisturise. Wash the day away thoroughly (particularly to remove makeup and sunscreen), treat based on your skin concerns and then finish with a hydrating moisturiser. Your ‘treat’ step will be unique to you; it might include exfoliating to remove rough skin texture, adding an extra dose of hydration, or choosing to use a retinol serum which increases cell turnover for smoother skin.
So whether you’re looking to build something easy to follow from scratch or are simply after a missing product or two to try, you’ll find some stellar options below. All of which have been tried and recommended by women over 40…
The best skin care products for your 40s
If you need a cleanser…
Skin Physics Dragon’s Blood 3-In-1 Advanced Treatment Cleanser
Review: “It’s a white gel formula with a barely-there scent. Instructions say use on damp skin as a cleanser or apply and leave on 5 minutes for a gentle exfoliating mask. I use it both ways and it’s FANTASTIC. I cleanses well but leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. It leaves no residue at all and water based serums work well over it. Beautiful product in every way, fast become one if my total favourites and love I can use it two ways!” – duality
$24.95 at skinphysics.com.au
If you need an exfoliant (or AHA)…
Olay Vitamin C Resurfacing Treatment Mask + AHA Peel Serum Activator
Review: “The Mask and Serum Activator is a two-step process. I found it was revitalizing and easily rubbed away the dead skin, dirt and grime. It truly exfoliates! Once I rinsed my face, my skin was instantly smoother, brighter, and my pores & fine lines were less noticeable. From the way my skin looked, to how it felt was incredible, especially after only one use! I have used the product now 4 times – twice a week – and am definitely converted.” – NICOLE9382
$55 at Coles
If you need a day moisturiser…
Habitual Beauty Nourishing Moisturiser
Review: “Prevention is better than cure and Habitual Beauty Nourishing Moisturiser has really wound back the clock and put the bounce back into my skin. I applied the moisturiser every morning and my skin was smooth and supple in a flash. The cream has a medium consistency that provides maximum hydration without the heaviness. I was concerned that it wasn’t going to play nicely with my foundation but I had no issues with sliding, balling or patchiness.” – ParisienneChic
$100 at Adore Beauty
If you need a retinol…
Elizabeth Arden Retinol Ceramide Capsules Line Erasing Night Serum
Review: “I have really been impressed with the Retinol version of EA’s ceramide capsules. I have dry skin and trying to fend off any wrinkles and have found these capsules have helped to really boost my skin’s luminosity as well as condition in general. I enjoy using serums at night time and what I love about these is that in the morning my skin feels noticeably smoother compared to when I use other serums.” -Eskimo82
$82-$199 at Myer
If you need a hydrating serum…
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Acid Anti-Ageing Serum
Review: “This product is just perfect for me I was using a hyaluronic acid already but this blew it out of the water. I’ve noticed a big reduction in lines around my mouth which are my biggest frustration. My skin is more hydrated and fresh looking whilst using it also. It’s not too sticky and it sinks in quickly. The scent is light and not irritating. I love the blue bottle which really stands out on my dresser.” – Kelly80
$60.99 at Chemist Warehouse
If you need a vitamin C serum…
Review: “Within 3 weeks of daily use my skin was noticeably improved and even those hard to fade blemishes and age spots seem to have faded leaving me with a clearer, toned skin and coming with that all important anti-oxidant protection too this serum provides the perfect base for ongoing skincare at home. The texture is non-sticky and the prescribed application dose sufficient for even the most sensitive of skins.” – Tracy Harris
$125 at synergieskin.com
If you need an eye cream…
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
“Personally I don’t believe claims like “youth generating power” as I have yet to find a product that really does turn back time. Having said that I did find it assisted with making my eyes look brighter, I feel my skin is a little firmer, softer and smoother and that it helped with puffiness and dark circles. I can’t honestly say it has decreased fine lines, but they are less obvious after I apply the matrix. I love using the Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix and how it makes my eyes feel and can see myself going back to the Estee Lauder range.” – Saje
$136 at Adore Beauty
If you need a night cream…
Swisse Bio-Retinol Renewing Night Cream
Review: “I am in my early 40’s and I am new to skin care. This is the first night cream I have brought and used. I have been applying every night for the last 2 weeks, after cleansing and serum applications. It is a nice thick cream that smoothly glides on my face, neck and chest. It absorbs easily, leaving no sticky residue. My skin feels soft and smooth to touch and looks and feels hydrated and plump. The main reason why I choose this cream because was only $14.99 other places it retails at $24.99. You don’t need to spend a fortune to have great skin care.” – mrs_harvey
$15.39 at Chemist Warehouse
If you need a sunscreen…
Cancer Council Face Day Wear Fluid SPF50+
Review: “It comes in an easy-to-pump bottle and the fluid is very thin and light unlike other sunscreens. It has a very light sunscreen fragrance that fades away within seconds. I was surprised how smoothly it glided on and quickly absorbed into my skin. Even though I have dry skin, sunscreens always tend to make me oily and shiny but this was quite the opposite. It didn’t sit heavy onto my skin or leave me looking shiny or oily, it actually absorbed right in to my skin super fast with more of a Matt finish so this was a perfect canvas for my make up.” – Fefe
$17.49 at Chemist Warehouse
If you need an extra boost…
Nature’s Way Beauty Collagen Tablets
Review: “It was my first time using the collagen tablets and the main reason for doing that was because I have started noticing fine lines around my face, and neck area and have thinning hair and to be honest, nothing seemed to be working for the thinning hair so I decided to give Nature’s way beauty collagen tablets a shot… I bought the 120 tablets bottle when it was half price and halfway through the bottle, I noticed that my face looked firmer and my skin had become super soft and my nails looked healthy too. I was quite impressed with the effects on my skin.” – neeha.gamine
$15 at Woolworths
Main image credit: @drewbarrymore
Have you tried any of these products? Do you have any recommendations for a 40+ skin care routine?
I have been using retinol for many years!
What do you use?
For me now things that make a difference: very hydrating plumping juicy serum and a great creamy moisturizer. No strong actives and nowadays my skin prefers gentle natural based goods.
oooh, forgot. Can not use h y d r a t i n g word. “moderated” always haha
I’ve used sunscreen and retinol for a long time and would be my non negotiable’s.
Me too Saffy, i only started with the retinoids in the last 5 years but so glad I did.
Totally agree Saffy
Retinol serum and sunscreen are part of my daily routine.
Lots of great products here
Yes Rinny I agree.It is so easy to neglect yourself and put family first when you are younger.
Argh, I do that now! Everyone comes first before me!
Sunscreen !! I wish I had known what I know now at forty.
I’ve used the cancer council sunscreen and Habitual Beauty moisturiser.
I’m keen to try the La Roche Posay Anti Ageing Serum
Sunscreen is a must for all ages
There is a myth that skin gets drier as you get older. Mine is getting oiler.
Some really great products here.
Im on the retinol bandwagon early.
Need an article like this for in your 50’s.
Retinol and sunscreen- I have heard they stop skin aging.
Wonderful products that would be great to try.
The masks look great and the cleanser too