It’s 6 o’clock in the morning here in Maine and my dog is scratching at the bedroom door to get out which means I’m up. Daphne is finally fully house trained and I don’t want to risk an accident. But this being up at 6 AM also gets me that precious half hour of peace that has slowly, over time, become my favorite part of my daily routine (when my kids ask , though, my favorite part of the day is whatever activity I have done with them–see how parenting works? 😉) Anyway, this morning, after the coffee brewed and I settled on the couch with my laptop, I started thinking about all the routines I have in my day–I may be amazingly scatterbrained at times, but I can stick to a routine (sort of). I am a creature of habit (sort of).
One routine that I am extremely dedicated to–unfalteringly so–is my skincare routine. It’s one of the things I am most disciplined about as I am bound and determined to prevent my skin from aging “ungracefully.” When it comes to skincare, being in your 40s is vastly different than being in your twenties. In your twenties, as long as you got your makeup off your face before bed, you were ahead of the game. Now, at 40+, we have entered the “mature skin” phase of life and it’s a whole different party piñata. Not sure what’s going to fall out when you crack that sucker open…
A consistent skincare routine for mature skin is especially important and targets essentially three things– hydration, firmness, and signs of aging (like wrinkles and uneven skin tone.) Routines at this stage of life can be anywhere from simple and minimalistic to complex, but at the bare minimum they should address hydration and protection from the sun (it’s time to make up for ALL the bad skin decisions we made in our younger years). Nothing makes you look older than super dry, dull skin with an inch of foundation on top–so let’s avoid this. It doesn’t look good and most importantly, it doesn’t FEEL good. And that’s the key–feeling good.
You might not think that skin care has anything to do with maintaining independence later in life, but I disagree. It’s about cultivating an ATTITUDE of self-care that helps us maintain that independence. Being mindful about the condition of our skin is just one aspect of caring for ourselves. We need to inspire a mindset where we put effort into maintaining every aspect of our being so that when we age, we age on our own terms. If we make the effort to develop a routine for skincare, then it stands to reason that we will make the effort to develop routines for physical fitness, flexibility, mental acuity, etc. It’s all connected. So get it together! At least the skincare part is fun!
So what does a sample skincare routine for someone over 40 look like? It generally involves a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer and sunscreen. I will include links to products that I use as well as other reputable products that have consistently performed well over the years. And as always, as an affiliate for multiple companies, including Amazon, I make a commission on qualifying purchases. That being said, I will never post a link to a product that I have not tried myself or researched. So if you are interested, check out the products. Otherwise just soak up the info and enjoy. So without further ado….
Cleansing: The first step in any skincare journey. Your skin needs to be a clean slate for what comes next! Start with a gentle, hydrating cleanser to remove impurities without stripping away natural oils. Look for cleansers with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin. Currently my favorite cleansers include Everyday Coconut Face Cleanser by Alaffia https://amzn.to/3WfQoVs and Mad Hippie’s Jelly Cleanser. https://amzn.to/49GwKFm
For those of you who may prefer a cleansing oil–especially if you wear any form of makeup or foundation, I just discovered a beautiful organic brand, Eminence, that makes an organic cleansing oil. https://amzn.to/3JvxzGg
Toner: After cleansing, move on to a toner. Use an alcohol-free toner to balance the skin’s pH levels and prep it for better absorption of subsequent products. Look for toners with ingredients like rose water, hyaluronic acid or witch hazel for soothing and tightening effects. Avoid the fragile eye area with these products. There are other products for the eyes! As with any skincare product, there is a large selection when it comes to toners and luckily they tend to be generally less expensive than serums, moisturizers and masks. So here are a few to consider:
Paula’s Choice RESIST Advanced Replenishing Anti-Aging Toner: https://amzn.to/3vYN8mV
January Labs Restorative Tonic Mist: https://amzn.to/4aIbNel
Good Molecules Glycolic Acid Toner https://amzn.to/4aJcXqd
Serum: So your toner is applied and your skin is ready to receive all the anti-aging benefits you can pack into one (or a few) serums. Incorporate a serum that targets your specific concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, or dark spots. Look for serums containing ingredients like vitamin C for brightening, hyaluronic acid for hydration, retinol for promoting collagen production, as well as other “good for your skin” ingredients such as vitamin E, niacinamide, ferulic acid and tranexamic acid (used for hyperpigmentation/dark spots–usually from sun damage or old acne scars). Depending on the serum, application can be once OR twice daily. You can really go wild here. The opportunities are endless! Just ensure that you give adequate time for each serum to absorb before applying the next one. Generally, if you are applying multiple serums, you would do this in order of viscosity (thickness)–so thinnest→thickest.
Here are a few lovely options:
Eminence Citrus and Kale Potent C Plus E serum https://amzn.to/3JzO445
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum https://amzn.to/3JsUjXv
Mad Hippie Super A Retinol Serum https://amzn.to/4b6hClE
Mad Hippie Corrective Peptide Serum https://amzn.to/3QbVxKH
Moisturizer: Now that you have applied your serums, it’s time to moisturize! Choose a rich, nourishing moisturizer to hydrate and plump the skin. Look for moisturizers with ingredients like ceramides, peptides, and antioxidants to support skin barrier function and protect against environmental damage.
My go-to for this is Vanicream–it’s cheap, fragrance free, and for sensitive skin. It is formulated with hyaluronic acid and I often enhance it with a few drops of rosehip and/or Sea Buckthorn oil. In fact, some people prefer to simply moisturize with oils alone.
Vanicream: https://amzn.to/4d4z9wt
Here are two other really nice moisturizers that I have tried in the past. They are a bit more “luxurious” and pricey but a nice treat for your skin.
Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream https://amzn.to/44gDUiE
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Face Cream https://amzn.to/4b2nEnj
I am excited to try this moisturizer at some point. In fact, I have just ordered it myself! Eminence Apricot Calendula Nourishing Cream https://amzn.to/3WapRcq
Eye Cream: You can apply your eye cream at any point during your skincare routine. Use a specialized eye cream to address concerns related to the delicate eye area, such as crow’s feet, puffiness, and dark circles. Look for eye creams with ingredients like peptides, vitamin K, and caffeine to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and firm the skin. Side note, if you have leftover eye cream on your finger after you have applied it to your eyes, apply it around the border of your lips–especially if you are or were a smoker–it can help to smooth out those fine lines we get around the lips. Not a miracle worker, but every little bit helps 😘
Currently I am enjoying Cerave’s Skin Renewing Eye Cream https://amzn.to/3U6u4uR
There are so many options out there. I found this one to be effective and cheap. What more can you ask for?!?
Sunscreen: Ok this is probably THE MOST IMPORTANT PART! If you do nothing else, do THIS. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every morning, regardless of the weather. Sun protection is crucial for preventing further damage and premature aging. Look for sunscreens with physical blockers like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for gentle protection. Again, the options are endless here. I use an inexpensive but nice sunscreen by Good Molecules https://amzn.to/3JyrVDe
In the past I have used Clinique, which is a reputable line of skincare products that has been around a long time. Not necessarily an “organic” brand, but tried and true. So give the Clinique City Block Sheer daily sunscreen a try https://amzn.to/4b5ftHa
Weekly Treatments: Incorporate weekly treatments like exfoliation and masks to further address specific concerns. Choose gentle exfoliants like lactic acid or enzyme-based peels to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. Use masks formulated with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or collagen for an extra boost of moisture and firmness. If you plan to exfoliate, do not do it every day–aim for three times per week. There are two types of exfoliation for your skin–physical (scrubs) and chemical (certain acidic compounds used to chemically exfoliate) Either is fine, but if you opt for a physical exfoliant (because who doesn’t love how their skin feels after a good scrub), ensure that it is gentle with fine particles as opposed to large rough particles. Over exfoliation or exfoliating with the wrong product can actually make you look older and can create significant trauma and irritation to already sensitive skin. My go to these days is a gentle, fine apricot exfoliating scrub from Earth Science, an organic and vegan company with reasonably priced products. https://amzn.to/49JLenT
So there it is, a breakdown of things to consider when building your skincare routine. It feels very overwhelming right now–I know. You might be reading this and saying to yourself, “this is so much work.” And it will certainly feel that way if you are used to NOT doing anything, or doing the bare minimum. But I would look at it as a daily ritual of self-care–time to yourself to really care for your body. The above routine on a normal day takes me about 10 minutes in the AM and slightly less time before bed (thankfully).
A bit of advice…keep in mind that your skin does not end at your chin. Remember that your “face” extends all the way to your breasts. What I mean by this is that whatever products you put on your face, be sure to extend them onto your neck and chest. Nothing like having a youthful face…and chicken skin from the neck down! So treat the skin of your neck and chest the same way you would treat your face.
And above all, remember to listen to your skin and adjust your routine as needed. Consistency is key, so stick to your routine and give your skin time to reap the benefits of the products you use. And always consult with a dermatologist if you have any specific concerns or conditions. Have fun and pamper yourself for a change!
