Ihave spent the past two decades in my career as a beauty editor immersed in everything you can imagine about skincare: researching, writing, and editing articles about it, trying countless products and treatments, you name it. (I also sit with the scientists in the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty & Personal Care Lab, which lets me in on another level of scientific expertise.) With all this knowledge—and new studies, trends, products, and treatments coming out constantly—how do I care for my own skin now that I’m officially in the over 40 club, facing signs of aging like lines, spots, dryness, and the pull of gravity? Let me let you in on a few secrets....
✔️ Do the same thing every day (and night).
Like most things in life, when it comes to skin, what you give is what you get. But that doesn’t mean you need to go overboard with a 10 step skincare routine. Finding a regimen that’s right for you and repeating it diligently every day gives you the best chance to get noticeable benefits from your skincare. In our GH Beauty Lab skincare testing, products like serums and moisturizers are tested for at least four weeks and up to 12, the time period it takes to see results. And products like sunscreen, while they don’t make an immediate difference in the look of skin, work over long periods of time to keep skin clear and smooth.
To that end, I stick to the same routine morning and night religiously with the same type of products (it’s fine to experiment with different brands to find what’s right for you or try new things.) At this age, think of skincare as part of how you care for your body for the long haul, just like eating healthy and exercise.
✔️ Be diligent about sunscreen. Seriously.
None of the skincare treatments you use to address signs of aging will work or have lasting effects if you don’t apply sunscreen every day, because UV light will cause more skin damage, canceling out the benefits. Wearing sunscreen even allows skin to repair itself: In fact, a study published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery found that applying only SPF 30 face sunscreen every day (and no other anti-aging treatments) for one year significantly improved signs of skin aging including hyperpigmentation and texture (like lines). This is why I’ve been applying SPF every single day in all seasons and weather for the majority of my adult life—and it shows.
✔️ Use retinol if you don’t already.
Dermatologists and GH Beauty Lab experts agree that retinol is the gold standard, proven anti-aging skincare ingredient. If you do nothing else aside from SPF, apply a retinol treatment every night. Studies have found that the ingredient boosts skin cell turnover, helping to reduce wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, brighten skin, and smooth texture. Some retinol formulas can cause irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin or are new to using it, so start slowly if needed by applying the product every other night until you build up tolerance. I’ve been using retinol for more than a decade, and I credit it (along with sunscreen) for keeping my skin radiant and lines and spots to a minimum.
✔️ Consider a few boosters.
There have never been more options when it comes to professional skin treatments (injectable neurotoxins like Botox, fillers, lasers, the list goes on), and if they’re accessible for you, they may be worth exploring at this age. A few times a year, I try to get a mild face laser (Clear + Brilliant is a favorite with minimal downtime and noticeable smoothing and brightening effects) or a radiofrequency microneedling treatment (I’ve had a great experience and results with Vivace). I like that these treatments stimulate your own skin to repair itself and create more collagen for lasting effects.
Here’s what works for me at age 40+:
As working mom with a 1-year-old, my skincare routine needs to be as efficient as possible (read: less than 2 minutes total!). I’ve narrowed it down to these essential steps for morning and night along with a few extras thrown in when needed or time allows. Once or twice a week, I will apply an exfoliating peel or scrub or a face mask in the shower to give myself a speed treatment while I wash up.
MORNING SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR OVER 40
My A.M. regimen is all about making sure my skin looks as fresh as possible and is hydrated and protected for the day.
- (Lightly) cleanse: Since I have dry skin, I usually forgo a full face wash in the morning to avoid dehydrating my skin, per the advice of dermatologists. Instead, I swipe on a hydrating face essence or exfoliating daily peel pad to wipe away any impurities and start with a jolt of light moisturization or exfoliation. If you have combination or oily skin (or just prefer washing your face in the morning), opt for a gentle cleanser.
- Treat: Next, I apply a serum, ideally with antioxidants and/or skin-smoothing ingredients like peptides, to give my skin an added boost of protection against damage and repair.
- Moisturize: This step is important for my dry skin and essential for most people who are over 40, as skin starts to lose its natural hydration with age. I opt for rich creams, even in summer, but you can choose a lotion or gel formula if you prefer something lighter or have combination or oily skin. (Tip: If you want to cut a step, choose a moisturizer that contains antioxidant or anti-aging actives you would find in a serum.)
- Protect: Apply a broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher face sunscreen as your last step. You can also opt to use a tinted sunscreen (like I do) or a moisturizer with sunscreen to save a step in your routine.
Bonus treatments: While some serums and creams can be used around the eyes, if you have specific eye area issues like dark circles, puffiness, or bags, you may want to apply an eye cream targeted toward treating them at the treatment step. Same with the neck: Most serums and creams can be applied on the neck, but because I have had neck lines for years, I apply a neck cream morning and night to help soften them.
NIGHT SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR OVER 40
At night, the focus is on coddling and repairing tired skin after a busy day.
- Cleanse: To remove makeup and grime, I wash with a cream, oil, or balm cleanser or a no-rinse micellar water, which are less likely to leave my skin feeling dry. When I can’t muster the energy for a full cleanse, I will grab a cleansing wipe (no shame!).
- Treat: Next, I apply an over-the-counter retinol serum all over my dry face, including the eye area. (A dermatologist I interviewed recommended using retinol there to help reduce dark circles and signs of aging around the eyes.) If you have trouble tolerating retinol or can’t use it, such as during pregnancy, try an alternative like a peptide serum, which also provides skin-smoothing benefits.
- Moisturize: Last, I seal everything in with a thick layer of night cream. As mentioned, I like my moisturizers as rich as possible, so I opt for a night-specific formula, but you can also use your day moisturizer at night.
Bonus treatments: Same as above regarding eye and neck creams! Add them if you need. Also, since my skin is dry and especially during the winter, I often layer a face oil, balm, or overnight mask on top of my night cream for more hydration.
The bottom line
I like to think that I look better than ever in my 40s, because I know what works for my skin and how to keep it looking its best. I also appreciate my unique features and the signs of time (and character) on my face rather than trying to cover them up. A little makeup definitely works some magic as you can see below, but that’s another story!
