Skincare Routine for Your 40s: The Best Products to Use

In our weekly series, Ask a Beauty Editor, beauty editor Hana Hong answers burning beauty questions from Real Simple readers. This week, the focus is on the best skincare routine for those about to turn 40.

As we age, our collagen supply decreases, leading to thin, wrinkled, dry, and dull skin. Board-certified dermatologist Hadley King explains that the 40s are a crucial decade for anti-aging, as estrogen production declines and the skin’s fibroblasts produce less collagen and elastin.

To combat the effects of aging in your 40s, Hong recommends a skincare routine that focuses on promoting collagen and elastin. She suggests using retinol to address thinness and wrinkles, hyaluronic acid for dryness, and regular exfoliation to combat dullness.

For a comprehensive skincare routine, Hong recommends the following products:
– Cleanser (morning and night): Fresh Soy Face Wash
– Light exfoliator (2-3 times a week): Tatcha’s Rice Polish or La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Scrub
– Serum (at night): Pond’s Rejuveness Skin Tightening Serum
– Eye cream (morning and/or night): CeraVe with ceramides
– Face cream/night mask (at night): Laneige overnight mask

By incorporating these products into your skincare routine, you can effectively address the signs of aging and maintain a healthy, youthful complexion as you approach your 40s. Tune in every Tuesday for more expert beauty advice from Hana Hong.