Dermatologist Recommended Skincare Routine For Your 40s

If you are in your 40s, now it is time to get on a dermatologist-recommended skin care routine. But what is the best skincare after 40? You are in the right place.

I am a dermatologist in Miami, FL that researches skincare. Over 200 dermatologists and other physicians work use the Bauman Skin Typing System to prescribe skincare to their patients.

If you would rather find skincare at home, you can take our scientifically validated quiz and get a skin care routine that you can further customize based on your brand preferences and budget. It’s the next best thing to seeing a dermatologist- but- you can do it from home. (See how our quiz was validated here.)

Whether you are a man or a women, the best skincare routine in your 40s needs to focus on any barriers to skin health that are keeping your skin from looking as young, clear and smooth as possible. Here is some general advice about the best skincare routine for the 40s, but you need to know if you have one of the issues below before an optimal skincare routine for your early, mid or late 40s can be recommended.

Skin Care Routine for 40 year olds

The best skin care regimen will include skincare products with antiaging ingredients. There are many different types of antiaging cosmeceutical ingredients. Which is best depends upon your skin type.

But before I can give you advice on the best moisturizer, night creams and other products for your 40s, I need to know more about your skin. If you took the quiz and know your Baumann Skin Type already- you will get more personalized skincare advice.

If not- follow these suggestions:

Best Skincare for Oily Skin Over 40

Step 1 to finding a face cream or serum is to figure out if you have oily or dry skin.

This depends upon two things:

1. How much sebum (oil) you make?

2. How strong is your skin barrier?

Over 80% of people guess incorrectly[i] [ii] about how much sebum their skin makes. This is why you should take the quiz.

Your Skincare Regimen Should Target Common Skin Conditions in Your 40s

In your third decade of life, it is common to have these skin conditions: acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and melasma. Your skincare routine should treat all of your skin problems- not just one of them. Two or more of these skin problems can occur at the same time. For example, you may have acne that leaves a dark spot when the pimple heals. For example you may have inflamed skin and melasma, In that case it would be important that the skin lightening ingredients in your routine do not worsen your skin’s inflammation.

Do you have any of these issues? If so- read more about them by following the link.

Dryness

Rough skin

Dull skin

Sensitivity

Acne

Skin redness/ red face/ rosacea

Unevenness of Skin Tone

Fine lines and wrinkles

Best Natural Skincare Routine in your 40s

If you prefer organic, natural and vegan skincare in your skincare regimen, that is fine. There are good products out there. Just make sure that they have the best ingredients for your Baumann Skin Type. Ingredients that do not come in a natural organic version are retinoids. Don’t waste money on natural or plant-based products that claim to have Vitamin A, carotenoids, carrot extract and other forms of Vitamin. Only these forms of retinoids are effective.

What do most 40-year-olds do wrong with skin care?

Most 40-years-olds combine expensive skin care products in their skin care routine that inactivate each other. This means you are wasting time and money.

First of all- you might not need to spend a lot of money on skin care.

Secondly- you might not need that product you are buying.

Thirdly, your cleanser or moisturizer or other products in the skin care regimen may be affecting the efficacy of that expensive antiaging serum you bought.

Our regimen builder helps you choose each step of your regimen so that the products work together- even if they are from different brands.

Make sure you are not making any of these skincare mistakes:

Incorrectly guessing your skin type

Treating one skin problem rather than all of your skin conditions

Using the wrong skin care products

Using products that cancel each other out

Using products in the wrong skin care routine order

Over exfoliating

Getting procedures they do not need and cause side effects

How To Take Care of Your Skin in your 40s

This is easy! Find your Baumann Skin Type and follow the regimen builder to build a custom skincare routine to target any underlying barriers to skin health that you have. Watch your email for skincare advice specific for your Baumann Skin Type.

You will be able to read reviews for others with the same skin type you have- that makes the reviews more meaningful to you. Keep yourself informed by following @SkinTypeSolutions on social media or watching and participating in our Skin Type Talks on YouTube. Browse our skincare library to learn all about skin care products and skin science that you are interested in.

Skincare on a Budget- Not Enough Time or Money

Don’t worry, I am here to help you narrow it down to when to save and when to splurge. I can also help you find what products really matter and which you can skip.

Affordable Skincare Routine 40s

No matter what you Baumann Skin Type is, you can find affordable skincare by using our skincare regimen builder found after you take the quiz. This regimen builder allows you to choose skin care products for each step of your skincare routine. For example, you will be given a choice of night creams from many brands that are right or your skin type. You can choose by price, brand or other concerns like vegan, clean and gluten free. This allows you to buy products that are right for you and let you choose from affordable options.

Simple Skincare Routine for 40s

Your skin care routine will be simple if you do not have very many barriers to skin health. You can get away with a good cleanser, sunscreen and retinoid in some cases. However, you will need more products if you have more underlying skin conditions to treat.

Best Skincare Products for 40s

I will review some of my favorite products, but you will get better advice in an email that you receive after taking the quiz.

Best antiaging skincare for 40 somethings

This is such an important topic that I have written a separate blog about antiaging skincare in your 40s. ADD LINK Click here to learn more about the causes of skin aging and click here to find antiaging skincare routines.

Best sunscreen for your 40s

I cannot stress this enough: Use a sunscreen- EVERYDAY! Sunscreen is proven to slow skin aging and even skin tone. Sunscreen protects your skin from developing inflammation from ultraviolet radiation damage and other forms of light. If you are in your 40s and have not found a sunscreen you want to use every day- then I bet you are not shopping by your Baumann Skin Type. Most skin types like tinted sunscreens to protect your skin from blue light emitted from your phone. (Yes – your phone! Yikes!)

Replenix Tinted Mattifying Face Sunscreen SPF 30

$44.00

Out of Stock

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50

$42.00

Add to Cart

Derma Made SPF 50 Tinted Moisturizer

$34.00

Add to Cart

Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36

$76.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD UV Luminous Broad Spectrum SPF 41

$41.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 Tinted

$44.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50

$36.99

Add to Cart

Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Cool

$59.00

Add to Cart

Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Warm

$59.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45

$56.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Tinted Mattifying Face Sunscreen SPF 30

$44.00

Out of Stock

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50

$42.00

Add to Cart

Derma Made SPF 50 Tinted Moisturizer

$34.00

Add to Cart

Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36

$76.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD UV Luminous Broad Spectrum SPF 41

$41.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 Tinted

$44.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50

$36.99

Add to Cart

Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Cool

$59.00

Add to Cart

Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Warm

$59.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45

$56.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Tinted Mattifying Face Sunscreen SPF 30

$44.00

Out of Stock

SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50

$42.00

Add to Cart

Derma Made SPF 50 Tinted Moisturizer

$34.00

Add to Cart

Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 36

$76.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD UV Luminous Broad Spectrum SPF 41

$41.00

Add to Cart

EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 Tinted

$44.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50

$36.99

Add to Cart

Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Cool

$59.00

Add to Cart

Obagi Sun Shield Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Warm

$59.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Sheer Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 45

$56.00

Add to Cart

Best Facial Cleanser for your 40s

The second most important product that 40 years olds should carefully choose is a facial cleanser. The type of cleanser depends upon your skin concerns. For example, if you have facial redness and sensitive skin, consider an anti-inflammatory cleanser such as the face washes recommended by dermatologists for rosacea. Preventing inflammation at an early age will help reduce overall skin damage and keep your skin tone even. Using the wrong skin cleanser can lead to skin dehydration, inflammation, pigmentation and skin aging. If you have dry skin, learn more about cleansing dry skin here.

Find the best cleansers for your Baumann Skin Type here

Best Face Cream and Moisturizer for 40 year olds

The best face cream for your 40 something skin will have ingredients that target your barriers to skin health. Creams are better for dry skin, serums are better for oily skin. Step 3 of your morning regimen usually has ingredients that target your skin issues, while step 4 has a moisturizer that makes step 3 work better. You should splurge on the step 3 product and save on the step 4 moisturizer. In most cases step 3 and 4 of the am and pm regimen can be the same- but again- it depends upon your Baumann Skin Type. If you have dry skin, you need a barrier repair moisturizer.

These are our favorite Barrier Repair Creams:

Zerafite Barrier Repair Moisturizer

$50.00

Add to Cart

Zerafite Soothing and Calming Moisturizer

$9.99

Add to Cart

Zerafite Skin Brightening Barrier Cream

$10.99

Add to Cart

Derma Made Ceramide Barrier Cream

$35.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Night Moisturizer

$31.97

Add to Cart

Obagi Hydrate Luxe

$80.00

Add to Cart

Medature PSL Repair Moisturizer

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare D.E.J. Face Cream

$62.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

$155.00

Add to Cart

Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer

$78.00

Add to Cart

Zerafite Barrier Repair Moisturizer

$50.00

Add to Cart

Zerafite Soothing and Calming Moisturizer

$9.99

Add to Cart

Zerafite Skin Brightening Barrier Cream

$10.99

Add to Cart

Derma Made Ceramide Barrier Cream

$35.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Night Moisturizer

$31.97

Add to Cart

Obagi Hydrate Luxe

$80.00

Add to Cart

Medature PSL Repair Moisturizer

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare D.E.J. Face Cream

$62.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

$155.00

Add to Cart

Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer

$78.00

Add to Cart

Zerafite Barrier Repair Moisturizer

$50.00

Add to Cart

Zerafite Soothing and Calming Moisturizer

$9.99

Add to Cart

Zerafite Skin Brightening Barrier Cream

$10.99

Add to Cart

Derma Made Ceramide Barrier Cream

$35.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Night Moisturizer

$31.97

Add to Cart

Obagi Hydrate Luxe

$80.00

Add to Cart

Medature PSL Repair Moisturizer

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare D.E.J. Face Cream

$62.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2

$155.00

Add to Cart

Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer

$78.00

Add to Cart

Best Night Cream in your 40s

If you have any of my blogs on night creams and skin aging, Then you already know that the best night cream or night serums is a retinoid. There is a lot of evidence-based data on retinoids and we have a really good understanding of how retinoids work to prevent and treat skin wrinkles.

Tips For your Skin.jpg

Tips for taking care of your skin in your 40s

Diagnose your Baumann Skin Type®

Take the quiz

Find a dermatologist or medical provider that uses the Baumann Skin Typing System

Shop By your Baumann Skin Type

Try a tinted sunscreen and use it instead of facial foundation.

If you have oily skin, skip the moisturizer in the am and apply a SPF instead

Make sure you are using the best face wash for your Baumann Skin Type

Choose a night cream based on which barriers to skin health that you have

Is the 40s too early to worry about skin aging?

Everyone in their 40s needs to be on an aging prevention skin care routine with antiaging cosmeceutical ingredients.

Best Skincare Routine For Early, Mid and Late 40s

By now- you know the drill. Take the quiz and do the regimen builder to choose the best products from nay brands and price points. It’s all there- customized for YOU!

Want to learn more? Browse the skincare library or Join us on social media @SkinTypeSolutions

[i] Youn, S. W., Kim, S. J., Hwang, I. A., & Park, K. C. (2002). Evaluation of facial skin type by sebum secretion: discrepancies between subjective descriptions and sebum secretion. Skin Research and Technology, 8(3), 168-172.

[ii] Our data on file

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected