The Ultimate Skincare Essentials List For Women Over 40
Want to know the must-have skincare essentials every 40-year-old should use? This skincare routine and skincare essentials list includes products that have been tried and tested and guaranteed to give you great skin results.
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As we move into our 40s, our skin starts to lose collagen and elasticity, and we begin to see the signs of aging.
The 40s also bring hormonal shifts like perimenopause that decrease estrogen levels, which may cause the skin to become dry, less plump, and more susceptible to damage.
It’s when we need to up our skincare game and adopt a routine that caters to our skin’s evolving needs (and changes). Our skin needs help reversing the damage and preventing new damage.
The big takeaway: Our skincare routine and products that make the skincare essentials list should focus on hydration, protection, and rejuvenation.
And I’ve tried it all. I’ve managed my skin through discoloration, dullness, dehydration, and occasional adult acne.
I’ve found some of the best and am sharing only the top favorites I have used and loved.
Related: I Spent Over $700 On Omnilux Masks: Was It Worth It?
Here’s the ultimate skincare essentials list for women in their 40s.
Skincare Essentials List for Women Over 40
1. Gentle Cleanser
We’re graduating from makeup wipes and choosing a gentle cleanser.
Unlike regular or harsh cleansers, a gentle cleanser cleans without stripping essential oils. This ensures the skin’s natural pH balance isn’t disrupted, preventing dryness, irritation, and inflammation.
Why? As the skin matures, it becomes thinner and drier due to decreased oil production. It’s also more sensitive, and the barrier function weakens. Hence, using a gentle cleanser is key.
Pro Tip: if you’re susceptible to dry skin (like me!), cleanse only in the evening.
Top Cleanser Picks
DHC Oil Cleanser: My holy grail. I’m not a fan of balm cleansers, but this oil cleanser is perfect. It melts away makeup effortlessly, leaves my skin soft, and never feels greasy.
iS Clinical Cleansing Complex: My absolute favorite gentle cleanser is the IS Clinical Cleanser because it is enriched with bio-nutrients, antioxidants, and mild resurfacing ingredients that thoroughly cleanse without disrupting the skin’s optimal pH balance.
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash: I always go back to this one and purchase the jumbo size during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. It has natural fruit acids that gently exfoliate the skin and give a brighter and smoother complexion.
Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash: Â I love most items from Revision skincare and this facial wash gives a great cleanse without drying out my skin, and it leaves me feeling fresh and glowy. Plus, it has just the right amount of exfoliation to keep skin smooth and bright. Perfect for everyday use!
IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser: Being over 40 with normal to dry skin, I love a good creamy cleanser. This one smells great and make my skin feel super soft and smooth with the added Hyaluronic Acid and Ceramides.
2. Potent Vitamin C Serum
As we age, the skin loses its vitality and the ability to repair and regenerate effectively. A Vitamin C serum is an absolute must-have for those over 40.
Vitamin C helps neutralize harmful free radicals caused by UV exposure and environmental pollutants, which can accelerate skin aging.
It helps boost collagen production, a protein that decreases with age, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin formation. Vitamin C helps maintain skin elasticity and firmness by stimulating collagen synthesis.
Top Vitamin C Picks:
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic: Many dermatologists consider this the gold standard of Vitamin C serums. It contains a combination of 15% pure Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), 1% Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), and 0.5% Ferulic acid, a plant-based antioxidant.
I always use this one because of the data and patent behind it—nothing else compares. But if you have used it, you know it smells funky (iykyn). The smell goes away fairly quickly, though.
Timeless Skin Care 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum: A more affordable yet effective option. This serum has 20% Vitamin C and includes Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid like the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic.
Revision Skincare Vitamin C Lotion 30%: This formula has a 30% Vitamin C with Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10. It uses THD Ascorbate, a stabilized form of Vitamin C that’s less irritating than L-ascorbic acid.
It brightens your complexion, offers antioxidant protection, and supports collagen production for firmer skin. Plus, the pump packaging makes it easy to use and travel with, and I always get compliments when I add it to my routine!
SkinMedica Vitamin C+E Complex: This complex also includes Vitamin C and E and is designed to gradually release nutrients throughout the day. It protects against free radical damage, promotes collagen production, and brightens the skin. The texture is similar to a primer.
Eminence Citrus & Kale Serum: It’s light, super refreshing, and really helps brighten and firm my skin. If you’re into natural skincare and want something that actually works, you’ll love this!
3. Hydrating Moisturizer
A hydrating moisturizer is a must-have because our skin’s ability to retain moisture decreases significantly as we age. This can lead to dryness, dullness, and wrinkles.
Key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin give hydration and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, keeping moisture locked in and harmful environmental stressors at bay.
These ingredients also promote skin healing and rejuvenation, supporting overall skin health. Hence, incorporating a well-formulated moisturizer into your skincare routine can help maintain a youthful, healthy, radiant complexion as we age.
Top Moisturizer Picks:
SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore: This luxurious moisturizer by SkinCeuticals is my favorite, especially in the fall/winter. It’s known for restoring skin lipids: cholesterol, ceramides, and fatty acids.
Sente Dermal Repair Cream: This is known for its Heparan Sulfate Analog (HSA) technology that’s amazing for your skin. It helps with redness, evens out skin tone and texture, and keeps your skin hydrated all day. It’s great for all skin types, even if you have sensitive skin or just had a procedure.
SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator: My most repurchased item! I’ve had one in rotation for 7+ years. SkinMedica’s HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator blends five different types of hyaluronic acids that give you instant plumping and hydration.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel: This moisturizer has a light gel-cream texture and is loaded with hyaluronic acid for an instant plumping effect without the heaviness. I always grab the double pack from Costco and slather it on my face, neck, and shoulders.
Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream: This cream is so rich and luxurious, and it leaves my skin feeling super smooth and hydrated. And, i’m obsessed with how good it smells. If you’re looking for serious anti-aging benefits, this is a must-try!
4. Sunscreen
We know, we know. Sunscreen is a must. But sunscreen is especially crucial for skin over 40 due to the accumulated effect of sun exposure over time.
Our skin’s ability to protect itself from harmful UV rays diminishes as we age. This leaves the skin more vulnerable to photoaging, which includes wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmentation.
Consistent broad-spectrum sunscreen prevents further sun damage and helps slow the signs of pre-existing photoaging.
The key is finding a sunscreen that you’ll love and wear Every. Single. Day.
Top Picks (so many good ones I have loved):
EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40: This is my go-to product and a must-have repurchase! EltaMD’s moisturizer hydrates while providing broad-spectrum SPF 40 protection, plus it has hyaluronic acid to boost moisture and reduce fine lines. I always feel plump and glowy with this sunscreen!
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen: This sunscreen has a fast-absorbing, velvety finish. It offers broad-spectrum SPF 60 protection and is suitable for all skin types. It’s also paraben-free, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic. I love using this on my body as well.
ColorScience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield SPF 50: My holy grail! It’s chemical-free, great for sensitive skin, and packed with antioxidants. I use it as my foundation, and it makes my skin look amazing. When I want more coverage, I just mix in a little foundation. I love it so much I also grabbed the bronze and glow versions!
SkinCeuticals Clear Daily Soothing UV Defense Cream SPF 50: This sunscreen is super lightweight and soothing, perfect for sensitive or easily irritated skin. It provides strong protection without feeling greasy, making it great for everyday wear!
Beauty of Joseon Sunscreen: I’ve gone through more than a dozen tubes of this since I discovered it in 2022. It’s the ultimate sunscreen that doesn’t feel or smell like sunscreen at all—seriously, I’m not sure how they do it! I’ve tried a bunch of products from this line, and I’m always super impressed.
5. Growth Factors & Peptides
This may not be a “skincare essential” for any ordinary skincare routine, but I argue it’s a must for those of us over 40.
Growth factors are naturally occurring substances that regulate cellular growth and healing and are becoming increasingly recognized for their role in skin care, especially in mature skin.
They send signals to cells to promote division and growth, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin – two essential proteins for maintaining skin’s firmness and elasticity.
As we age, our skin’s ability to produce these proteins decreases, leading to wrinkles and sagging. Incorporating growth factors into your skincare routine can help counteract this process.
Growth Factors are also clinically shown to reduce photoaging and help skin turnover, similar to retinol. So, if you’re sensitive to retinol, growth factors may be a good alternative.
Top Growth Factor & Peptides PickS:
TNS Advanced Serum – A unique, dual-chamber serum that combines the growth factor blend and a blend of antioxidants and peptides shown in clinical studies to reduce wrinkles and rough texture.
This unique dual-chamber serum combines growth factors with antioxidants and peptides that clinical studies show reduce wrinkles and rough texture. I use it sparingly because of the price, but it’s definitely worth it when it goes on sale at Dermstore.
Perricone MD High Potency Growth Factor Firming & Lifting Serum: This gives my skin a subtle lift and feels hydrating. It has a light texture that absorbs quickly, making it perfect for layering under makeup or other products.
Lancer Triple Peptide Drops with Vitamin E + Niacinamide: The combination of peptides and niacinamide really helps with brightening and reducing the appearance of fine lines. If you want a little extra glow, you’ve gotta try these!
iS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion: This lightweight moisturizer has peptides that improve firmness, plus antioxidants like Vitamin E for anti-aging. It’s also got hyaluronic acid for some extra hydration—perfect for keeping the skin plump.
Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster Serum: At a pretty reasonable price point, the Paula’s choice serum is great because it has a 6x peptide blend plus hyaluronic acid. This went on nice and gave me a smooth, dewy glow.
6. Retinol
Retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A, promotes skin cell turnover and boosts collagen production, thus restoring elasticity, smoothing out wrinkles, and giving a more youthful appearance.
As we age, the skin’s natural ability to generate collagen diminishes, forming lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. Retinol can help by increasing cell turnover.
You can get a prescription from your dermatologist or buy gentler formulas over the counter. I have a prescription, but I personally go back and forth between over-the-counter and my prescription.
My skin is sensitive, and I cannot tolerate my Rx regularly. Here are my top picks for over-the-counter that I have tied.
Top Retinol Picks:
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Retinol Night Cream: This was my first retinol product, and I still go back to it. It works! The ROC retinol has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. I am a big fan of the entire ROC Retinol line.
SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength Refining Night Cream: This high-strength retinol cream targets signs of aging, promoting cell turnover and helping reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. The cream also includes ingredients like ceramides to help restore the skin’s barrier and prevent any dryness from using retinol.
Paula’s Choice Clinical 0.3 Retinol Bakuchiol Treatment: This treatment combines retinol and bakuchiol (a ret alternative) to reduce fine lines and improve skin texture. It’s gentle yet effective, making it a great option for those looking to add a retinol product to their routine without irritation.
Obagi Medical Retinol 1.0: This one stands out because it uses a high concentration of retinol that’s super effective for reducing fine lines and improving texture without a prescription. Not too expensive, either.
Augustinus Bader The Retinol Serum: It’s pricey, but totally luxurious! This serum combines low-dose retinol with TFC8 technology for skin renewal and hydration. It effectively minimizes fine lines and improves texture while being gentler than most retinols, so you get the benefits without the irritation.
Related: 11 of the Highest Rated Drugstore Retinol Products
7. Exfoliator (Chemical and Physical)
Exfoliation becomes increasingly important as we age, particularly past 40. The skin’s cell regeneration slows down, which means dead skin cells can pile up, creating a dull, rough, and dry appearance.
Regular exfoliation helps to remove these lingering cells, revealing fresher, healthier skin beneath.
There are two main types of exfoliation – physical and chemical – and the best choice depends on your skin’s needs.
- Physical Exfoliation: This is ideal for those with normal to oily skin and involves manually scrubbing the skin with a face brush, sponge, or a scrub.
- Chemical Exfoliation: More suitable for sensitive skin, chemical exfoliation uses alpha and beta hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) or enzymes to gently dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, allowing them to be easily rinsed away. As an added benefit, many chemical exfoliators also stimulate collagen production.
While exfoliation can be highly beneficial, overdoing it can cause irritation and damage. Always consult with a skincare professional to establish a routine that’s right for your skin.
Top Exfoliator Picks:
Lancer The Method: Polish Exfoliator: A physical and chemical exfoliator, this product includes pure minerals, plant enzymes, and a warming element to provide gentle skin resurfacing and refining. The “beads” are extremely fine – I always have a jumbo size in my shower and use it gently on my face and body.
Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid: This affordable chemical exfoliator uses glycolic acid to break down build-up from the skin’s surface, reduce minor discoloration, and leave skin radiant and smooth. I feel this is a bit more gentle but still effective. Whenever I have dryness from my retinol, a few swipes after cleanings of this take care of any flakes right away.
Sanitas Skincare Hydrating Brightening Solution: This product contains lactic acid, which exfoliates and gently resurfaces the skin’s texture. It also contains a “collagen cofactor complex” combined with lactic acid and vitamin C to reduce age spots and fine lines. I have always found this gentle and doesn’t irritate my skin (although I can feel those acids working).
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Pads: I keep repurchasing these! They’re great for gentle exfoliation and brightening, thanks to lactic acid and papaya enzymes. They’re gentle enough for daily use, and I even swipe them over my body!
Paula’s Choice BHA Liquid Exfoliant: Great for acne prone skin. It contains salicylic acid (BHA) that helps unclog pores and reduce breakouts while smoothing skin texture. It’s gentle enough for daily use and works wonders for anyone dealing with oily or combination skin!
8. Healthy Diet, Sleep, and Hydration
Remember, what we put inside our bodies is as important as what we apply to our skin.
A healthy diet, good sleep hygiene, and drinking plenty of water are essential for maintaining healthy skin over 40.
If you still need to get this down, I recommend keeping your skincare routine simple and focusing on your health first – your skin will reflect it!
Related: The 12 Most Powerful Anti-Aging Superfoods for Women Over 40
Shop The Skincare Essentials List
You can find my favorite products throughout this post or on my favorites page: Shop My Favorites.
As always, consistency is always key, and your skin will thank you for it.
Purchasing top-shelf skincare products will only be effective if we use them regularly. So, remember to take care of your skin and always make time for self-care.
Your skin reflects your overall health, so invest in it, and you’ll see the results. What great skincare items have you tried that others need to know about?
