Skin care over 40 – what do you have to take into account?

Your skin changes continuously and becomes harder to care for as time goes on. You should therefore adjust your skincare routine every few years according to your requirements in order to keep your complexion even and smooth for as long as possible. We reveal what your skin needs when you are over 40 and what a good skin care routine over 40 looks like.

04 January 2023 • 4 min. reading time

What makes skin over 40 different from how it was before?
What does the skin need over 40?
What active ingredients can help skin over 40?
How should you change your skin care routine after 40?
What anti-ageing products are suitable for skin care over 40?
What else can improve your complexion over the age of 40?

What makes skin over 40 different from how it was before?

The human body, including your skin, undergoes natural ageing processes. These start when you are just 25 years old when certain metabolic and regenerative processes start slowing down. As a result of these processes, skin after the age of 40 is not so well supplied with moisture. It can be less stretchy and shows fine lines and wrinkles. Occasionally, pigment spots or redness can occur in the face area. At first, these changes are not very pronounced and only gradually develop into mature skin with clearly visible lines and wrinkles. You can, however, already take steps to prevent signs of skin ageing with targeted skin care over 40. With regular skin care and careful protection against harmful influences, you can maintain your fresh, youthful glow for many years to come.

What does the skin need over 40?

The most important requirements for skin care over 40 include the following:

Intense moisturisation
Protection against harmful environmental influences
Promotion of the skin’s own regenerative processes
Smoothing out or reducing pigment spots and redness
Correction of fine lines and wrinkles as well as irregularities in the complexion

When protecting yourself against harmful environmental influences, daily sun protection is especially important. One of the main factors causing premature ageing is spending time in the sun without protection. UV light can mobilise free radicals, which cause damage at the cellular level. This damage leads to a loss of tension, elasticity and moisture in the skin. It manifests in wrinkles, fine lines, loose skin and pigment spots (age spots). In the worst-case scenario, it can even cause skin cancer. It is, therefore, extremely important to protect your skin from UV light. You should ideally use a day cream with sun protection factor. When spending longer periods outdoors in bright sunlight, you should use a caring sun cream for the face.

What active ingredients can help skin over 40?

For skin care over 40, we recommend products that contain ingredients for the regeneration and hydration of the skin as well as for protection against external influences. These ingredients include, among others:

Hyaluronic acid
Vitamin C
Retinol (vitamin A)
Niacinamide

Hyaluronic acid improves the hydration of your skin. As an antioxidant, vitamin C has a neutralising effect on free radicals, protecting your skin against the harmful effects of sunlight. In addition, it stimulates the formation of collagen. Retinol stimulates skin regeneration, refines the complexion and likewise promotes the formation of collagen. This gives the skin more elasticity and suppleness. When applied externally, for instance with a face serum, retinol reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Niacinamide is capable of reducing pigment spots, thereby helping you achieve an even complexion. It protects your skin against the effects of free radicals, improves the hydration of your skin and has a favourable influence on the regulation of sebum production.

Which skin care products for people over 40 contain these ingredients?

Hyaluronic acid and valuable plant extracts are used in skin care for over 40s to supply the skin with moisture and nutrients. For instance, they are found in the Super Multi Corrective Cream from Kiehl's. With this cream, you protect your skin from signs of premature ageing. It promotes cell regeneration, refining your complexion and making your skin look even. This cream also reduces fine lines and improves the elasticity of the skin. The day cream Blue Therapy Red Algae Uplift Rich from Biotherm promotes the skin’s own production of collagen and elastin in order to effectively counteract the age-related loss of collagen. When used regularly, the contours of your face will gain definition and your complexion will shine with a youthful glow. The Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum from Lancôme effectively regenerates your skin with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin C and ferulic acid. It improves your complexion and ensures tighter, more even skin. The antioxidants it contains neutralise free radicals and thereby prevent premature ageing caused by exposure to UV light.

How should you change your skin care routine after 40?

As we age, our skin often becomes drier and our complexion more pallid. That’s why you should treat your skin to more moisturising products during your over-40 skin care routine. You should also use regenerative serums that strengthen the skin barrier and promote cell regeneration. Your complexion may have changed since your youth. You should therefore reassess the skin on your face to determine whether you have combination skin, oily skin, dry skin or normal skin. Adjust your care routine to your new skin requirements and choose different care products if necessary.

What anti-ageing products are suitable for skin care over 40?

The best way for over 40s to care for their skin is to use different care products that play different roles in their daily beauty routine. These include:

Gentle and effective face cleanser
Regenerative anti-ageing serum
Rich, moisturising day cream
Regenerative night cream
Smoothing eye cream for the sensitive skin around the eyes
Lip care with an uplifting, moisturising effect

After cleansing the face, nourish your skin with an intensely hydrating, regenerative serum and then apply your anti-ageing cream. For the skin around the eyes, it is best to use a special eye cream to reduce eye wrinkles and signs of tiredness. The Confidence In An Eye Cream from IT Cosmetics increases the firmness and elasticity of the sensitive skin around your eyes. The anti-wrinkle eye cream reduces dark circles and puffiness while hydrating and smoothing the skin. The Rénergie Yeux Multi-Lift Ultra Eye Cream from Lancôme also has a hydrating and smoothing effect on the skin around your eyes. It reduces dark circles, puffiness and small wrinkles, making your eyes look brighter and more awake.

Tip

Beauty sleep – make it a reality with the right evening skin care! Before going to bed, use a good anti-ageing night cream such as the Blue Therapy Revitalize Night Cream from Biotherm. It revitalises and strengthens your skin overnight through the targeted supply of nutrients, antioxidants and hydration.

What else can improve your complexion over the age of 40?

Alongside using cosmetics, a healthy lifestyle is also an important factor when it comes to a good complexion. Eat a balanced diet to make sure you get enough vitamins and important micronutrients. Drink enough water. The general recommendation for adults is to drink around 2 litres of water or unsweetened tea per day. Get regular exercise in the fresh air and enjoy a little downtime as well for an optimal emotional balance. Avoid harmful environmental influences and protect your skin from UV light and large temperature fluctuations by using appropriate care products.

Takeaway

Optimal skin care over 40 adapts to the changing requirements of people in this stage of life. With the right care products, you can maintain an efficient anti-ageing programme that lets you prevent premature skin ageing. Skin care for over 40s benefits from an intensive supply of hydration, nutrients and antioxidants. The body’s own regeneration processes slow down a little at this age, which means regenerative serums and creams are called for. They gently reduce fine lines and wrinkles and can cause existing pigment spots to fade. The high-quality care products at parfumdreams will support your individual skin care routine, which you can easily adapt to your skin’s requirements. Discover now!