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The Best Skincare for 40-Year-Old Skin. Which One Should You Choose?

The skin's texture and appearance change over the years, particularly due to increased exposure to external aggressors. At age 40, signs of skin aging such as wrinkles become more pronounced, requiring the application of skin care products to restore suppleness and elasticity to the skin.

Summary

Characteristics and Problems of the Skin at Age 40
What Beauty Routine Should I Adopt at 40?
What Skincare Products Should I Use at Age 40?

Published May 27, 2021, updated on August 2, 2024, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 5 min read

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Face Cream

Characteristics and Problems of the Skin at Age 40.

Around the age of 40, wrinkles start to become more pronounced and often more numerous. In addition, there is a lack of firmness, sagging, and loss of radiance. The skin is thinner, more fragile and dehydrated and tends to slacken. As a result, the oval of the face sags, the eyelids droop and wrinkles are more visible, especially those on the forehead and around the eyes. This is mainly due to a degeneration of the fibroblasts. It is necessary to remember that these cells produce collagen and elastin, which give the skin its tone and elasticity. In addition, a skin problem in the 40s is, that sebum secretion decreases, the renewal of skin cells (keratinocytes) is slowed down, the level of hyaluronic acid is reduced, and the skin becomes thinner. As a result, the skin surface becomes dehydrated, more sensitive to external aggressions and more fragile, and the skin also loses density. Moreover, areas of hyperpigmentation (age spots) appear, particularly due to the cumulative effects of UV exposure.

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What Beauty Routine Should I Adopt at 40?

resistant to external aggression. To remedy this, it is important to adopt a beauty routine that meets the needs of the skin transformation. Before any procedure, it is recommended to pick the best skincare for 40-year-old skin, appropriate for your skin type. On a daily basis:

Apply an antioxidant serum morning and night. It acts on the loss of firmness and helps restore volume and tone to the skin. It also helps protect the skin against free radicals while illuminating and unifying the complexion;
Moisturize your eye area with a care product that is specially designed for this use. Indeed, this area is fragile and particularly prone to wrinkles and therefore requires a specific care. This care deeply strengthens the skin structure and acts against wrinkles, fine lines and signs of fatigue (bags, dark circles);
In the evening, don't forget to use a firming cream rich in moisturizing active ingredients that compensate for water loss. It also should contain sensor active ingredients to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin to combat wrinkles and loss of firmness;
Exfoliate once or twice a week to restore the radiance of your face by eliminating dead cells. To smooth the features and improve the effectiveness of the care products, apply them with upward movements that promote the penetration of the active ingredients and microcirculation.

What Skincare Products Should I Use at Age 40?

So, what is the best skincare for 40-year-old skin?

Cream #1: Firming with retinol.

To counter the phenomenon of loss of density of the dermis and the natural collagen fibers that make it up, the use of a firming face cream, formulated with retinol and tsubaki oil, is recommended. Retinol is an active ingredient that has stimulating properties on the production of elastin and collagen. It is also appreciated for its antioxidant power, which helps fight the effects of free radicals generated by UV rays. Specifically, retinol (or vitamin A) accelerates cell renewal, reduces age spots, helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, restores the skin's suppleness and firmness, and provides a smooth and even skin texture. Tsubaki oil is an ingredient that protects, nourishes and moisturizes the skin. It is also rich in omega 9, which reinforces the hydrolipidic film.

Cream #2: Protect with vitamin C.

The use of a vitamin C-based antioxidant face cream is also a precious ally in stimulating the production of keratinocytes that protect skin and reinforce its elasticity and tone. It is rebalancing for the skin’s pigmentation and protecting it from the harmful effects of free radicals, generated by exposure to the sun pollution, etc., responsible for premature aging. This face care is also enriched with lemon water, known for its toning and complexion unifying properties, and vegetable glycerin for its humectant properties.

Cream #3: Plumping with hyaluronic acid.

Finally, we can also turn to a nourishing cream. Composed of hyaluronic acid, among other things, this ingredient constitutes a real reservoir of water necessary to manufacture the skin's natural collagen and elastin, which ensures a youthful, dense and plump appearance. As for the other ingredients, shea butter helps protect the skin from dryness and external aggressions thanks to its soothing and nourishing properties. Squalane of vegetable origin prevents water in the body from evaporating by repairing the hydrolipidic film, and plum oil is known for its soothing and antioxidant properties.

As at all ages, and also to be looking good in your 40s, it is essential to use a cream with sun protection daily to limit oxidative stress and the appearance of spots over the long term.