Good skincare habits should start early, but they can look a little different once you reach the fourth floor. By the time we reach our 40s, our skin turnover is much, much slower than it was in our 20s or 30s. What that means is that, essentially, healing from things like adult acne takes much longer, and let’s face it: 40 years is a pretty long time! We’ve probably spent a ton of time under the sun and exposed to pollution and our skin is much more prone to breaking down.
As if that weren’t enough, our 40s are the time when we’ll start seeing more wrinkles, especially around our eyes and mouth. Even though there’s nothing wrong with aging, we definitely want to make sure we do so gracefully!
Even though I always recommend my clients to book a consultation at Bella so we can create a perfect skincare routine for them, here are the basic ingredients and products that can’t miss in your skincare routine in your 40s!
Essentials for Skincare in Your 40s
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the best vitamins for clear skin and even though I recommend using it at pretty much any age, it becomes more essential in your 40s.
Put in simple terms, vitamin C uses electrons to neutralize free radicals (like pollution!) and blocks the enzyme that is responsible for issues like skin pigmentation (uneven skin tones and dark spots). In short, is vitamin C is king when comes to brightening dull skin, evening out skin tone, and beating dehydration on your skin, all of which are issues with skincare in your 40s!
With that said, don’t forget to give your skin a little love with vitamin C in your regimen. You’ll find it in serums, face masks, and moisturizers. Here are two of my go-to skincare products with vitamin C in them:
Revision Vitamin C 30%
These Vitamin C lotions are formulated with the newest, highly stabilized form of Vitamin C for healthy, radiant skin. The 30% formula contains one of the strongest concentrations of Vitamin C available. Contains THD Ascorbate, a very powerful form of Vitamin C Brightens dull skin Provides a full line-up of antioxidants, including Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10 Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF provides powerful antioxidant protection to normal, oily, and combination skin types. Designed for daytime use, this antioxidant serum neutralizes free radicals to prevent signs of accelerated skin aging. The blend of phloretin, pure vitamin C, and Ferulic acid improve the appearance of discoloration, fine lines, and uneven skin tone.
Retinol
When you apply retinol topically, it basically increases your cell turnover and gives your skin a little boost to stimulate collagen and producing elastin. This results in your skin looking firmer and younger! As if that weren’t enough, it also helps with pigmentation issues and minimizes breakouts, so it’s like a golden ingredient when it comes to skincare (and yes, it’s backed up by science)! My go-to is Revision Skincare Retinol Complete® 0.5.
A Hydrating Cleanser
Washing your face before you go to bed not only helps your skin get rid of oil, makeup, and dirt, but also decreases the chance of clogged pores. Cleaning thoroughly is a must to help your skin cells reverse daily wear and tear.
Revision Papaya enzyme cleanser
$33.50
Papaya Fruit Extract lifts away impurities, gently polishes away dead skin cells, and nourishes skin with vitamins and minerals. Leaves all skin types feeling soft, clean and moisture-balanced. The Papaya Fruit Extract contains Papain, an enzyme that gently exfoliates for naturally vibrant skin.
Eye Cream
Our eyes are the first part of our face to begin to show signs of aging. This is because the area around them has virtually no oil glands. A well-formulated eye cream is a must in skincare in your 40s and you must use it on a daily basis (twice is best)! Apply it to the orbital bone around your eyes and just at the top of your cheekbones for maximum results. Revision DEJ Eye Cream is my go-to eye cream. It visibly reduced sagging, wrinkles, and hooding around my eyes and also keeps the entire area hydrated. I love it!
Lumity Supplements
I love using vitamins in my skincare products topically, but my go-to is to get them from the inside out! Even though eating healthy is essential, it doesn’t hurt to get a little extra dose of them via supplements to give our skin cells a lil’ help. My go-to brand is LUMITY Supplements as they are made specifically for women and their formula has so many incredible anti-aging benefits.
Sleep!
I’m sure this doesn’t come as a shocker, but the older we get, the more sleep we need! A good night’s sleep is essential for your skincare routine. Not getting enough sleep affects us in many different ways (long gone are our 20s when we could pull off all-nighters and still feel great the next morning!)
Our bodies go into repair mode while we snooze, so quality sleep is essential to maintain a youthful glow. The next time you want to stay up for just one more episode when you have to be up early, remind yourself that your body is no longer producing as much collagen as it once did, so get some zzz!
