As a woman over 40, it’s time to make sure your skincare routine is up to par. That means no more falling asleep with eyeliner on (and waking up with dry, sagging skin), exfoliating only once in a blue moon or forgetting to hydrate.
Fortunately, there are plenty of dermatologist-tested and clinically proven products to help you keep your complexion looking bright, glowing and youthful. We’ve rounded up the best ones for your skin type.
1. Cleanser
Cleansers are one of the most important steps in a well-rounded skin care regimen. Not only do they remove dirt and debris, but they also remove makeup and improve the overall texture of your complexion.
Luckily, there are many high-quality products on the market to choose from. The best cleanser for women over 40 is one that is designed to be gentle enough to use without causing irritation or leaving you with dry, flaky skin. We recommend the Plantscription Anti-Aging Face Cleanser from Origins, which features oat protein and jasmine flower extract to help dissolve dirt and oil, slough off dead skin cells, and leave you with a healthy-looking complexion.
To help you find the cleanser that is right for you, we consulted a few of our favorite skincare experts, including dermatologists and plastic surgeons to get their top picks. Here are their favorites, along with the ingredients that make them tick.
Best of all, they’re not only effective but inexpensive and can be used on all skin types. Hopefully this list of the best skincare products for women over 40 will help you put together the perfect routine that suits your needs and budget.
After all, what’s the point of having a beautiful complexion if it’s dull and lifeless?
2. Moisturizer
A good moisturizer helps to keep your skin hydrated, which can help to prevent signs of aging. In addition to hydration, a great moisturizer can also help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Dermatologists recommend that you look for a cream that has hyaluronic acid, which is a powerful humectant that draws moisture to the skin. You’ll also want to find a formula that includes other key ingredients like ceramides, which help to maintain your skin barrier and protect against environmental damage, and niacinamide, which can brighten and reduce hyperpigmentation.
Another important ingredient to look for is retinol, which is an effective antiaging ingredient that can help to improve the appearance of fine lines and improve skin tone overall. You can opt for a lotion that contains retinol or you can use a serum that is packed with this ingredient.
You should also try to choose a moisturizer that includes antioxidants and plant-based oils. These ingredients help to nourish the skin, which is crucial for mature skin, as a lack of nutrients can lead to sagging and fine lines over time.
Lastly, a dermatologist-recommended moisturizer should contain peptides, which help to promote skin renewal and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. During this process, the peptides also help to plump and firm the skin.
For a budget-friendly option, the Vanicream Moisturizing Cream by Shea Terra is recommended by board-certified dermatologist Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, who told Who What Wear, “It’s great for dry and sensitive skin because it’s oil-free.” The formula is fragrance-free and also free of preservatives and dyes.
3. Eye Cream
The skin around the eyes tends to age more quickly than the rest of your face, which means you may need a stronger eye cream to keep fine lines at bay. Dermatologists recommend looking for ingredients like hyaluronic acid to plump the skin, peptides to build collagen and retinol to reduce wrinkles.
For brighter eyes, we’re partial to REN’s brightening eye cream that combines hydrating rosehip oil with hexapeptide-11 for a nourishing treatment. Not everybody liked the floral scent, but the non-greasy formula was easily absorbed by our testers and left them with smooth, fresh skin.
If you’re looking for a budget option, Olay Total Effects Eye Transforming Cream is another great pick, with niacinamide to boost radiance and minimize the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. It’s also super-hydrating and safe for sensitive skin.
We also like Perricone MD’s Essential Fx Acyl-Glutathione Smoothing & Brightening Under-Eye Cream, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid to plump skin, peptides to firm, and vitamin C to fight hyperpigmentation. This cream also has a lot of antioxidants, so it’s great for keeping your eyes healthy and youthful looking.
This bestselling eye cream is a must-have for any woman who wants to minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It contains retinol to reduce signs of aging, as well as botanical oils and bakuchiol to soothe irritated skin and restore a healthy glow.
If you’re looking for a cruelty-free and organic product, Biossance’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream is an excellent choice. It has an easy-to-use applicator and delivers results for men and women of all ages. The fast-absorbing gel formula has been tested by dermatologists and proven to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, hydrate crepey or lined skin, and even out skin tone.
4. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is an essential part of any anti-aging routine. It prevents the effects of UV rays that cause long-term damage to skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dull spots.
It also hydrates and protects against the damaging effects of water, rain, and sweat. It’s especially important for women who are on the go a lot or spend their days at the beach and pool.
The best sunscreen for women over 40 should provide broad-spectrum protection, which means that it will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. You should also look for a formula that is oil-free and non-comedogenic.
Another factor to consider is the concentration of the active ingredients in the sunscreen. Most dermatologists recommend a sunscreen that contains at least SPF 30 to protect your skin.
Some sunscreens have oxybenzone and other chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and your health. However, there are also some natural mineral sunscreens available that do not contain these toxic ingredients.
A natural mineral sunscreen is one that uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to protect your skin from the sun’s rays, which are harmful to both your skin and your health. This sunscreen is a safe, natural alternative to chemical sunscreens and works well with most skin types.
It’s lightweight, dries quickly and won’t leave a white cast on your skin. It’s also infused with antioxidants to combat sun damage and fight environmental free radicals.
Many skincare brands have formulated their products specifically for mature skin. Many of them are infused with antioxidants and other nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which moisturizes skin deeply while keeping your aging signs at bay.
5. Exfoliator
Exfoliation is a critical step in any skincare regimen, but it’s especially vital for women over 40. It eliminates dead skin cells that can make your complexion dull and clogged, and it can reduce the appearance of discoloration and fine lines and wrinkles too.
Dermatologists recommend using an exfoliator on the face at least once a week to maintain healthy skin texture. This can be done with a physical exfoliator or chemical exfoliant, which uses acids or enzymes to break down dead skin cells.
Both methods are safe for all skin types, but physical exfoliants can be irritating for those with sensitive skin. Jaliman suggests choosing a product with a gentle exfoliating ingredient like lactic acid or glycolic acid, which is derived from fruit.
A good exfoliating product can also help your other skincare products penetrate deeper into the skin, making them more effective and delivering a more visible effect. The best exfoliators are made with small particles or granules that physically scrub away dead skin cells when massaged into the surface of your skin.
If you have dry or oily skin, opt for a chemical exfoliant that includes acids like alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids to dissolve and remove dead skin cells. Or, try a product that contains poly-hydroxy acids (PHAs), which are slightly larger molecules than AHAs and BHAs, but still work to exfoliate and leave your skin smoother.
If you prefer a at-home option, Chilukuri recommends a weekly enzyme mask like PCA Skin Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask, which is gentle enough for all skin types. It’s formulated with hibiscus flower extract and jojoba oil, which are antioxidants that can help fight off free radicals to prevent premature aging. It also contains bamboo stem powder, which can slough away rough patches of skin and help with acne-prone or sensitive skin.