Cleansers
Not all cleansers are created equal. If your skin isn’t experiencing breakouts and you don’t need active ingredients like salicylic acid that can address excess oils and sebum, choose a gentle cleanser that isn’t going to strip your skin of much-needed moisture. Dr. Idriss says she isn’t a fan of hyaluronic acid cleansers, which can actually irritate some skin types. One cleanser that could benefit dry skin is Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser, which can be combined with a Micellar water to help remove makeup.
Chemical Exfoliants
As we age, we hold onto dead skin cells longer, which means your skin can look less clear and healthy. At this stage, it becomes more important to get rid of old skin cells so that your skin doesn’t look dull — a chemical exfoliant is the answer. Exfoliating every day is probably too much, but two to three times a week could be perfect.
Exfoliate at night with a gentle chemical exfoliant that contains glycolic acid, which is smallest in size and goes deeper in your skin. If you’re sensitive to glycolic acid, lactic acid is your next best bet.
Serums
The biggest skin issues as you approach your forties are a reduction in collagen production and skin discoloration that appears as a result of sun damage. Serums that contain active ingredients can address these issues. Among the best serums for more mature skin are growth factors present in products like Skinmedica TNS Advanced, which Dr. Idriss also recommends for the neck.
Other ingredients to look for to address discoloration are vitamin C, hydroquinone, kojic acid, and niacinamide.
Retinol and Eye Creams
Retinol has been shows to boost collagen production over time, but it can be irritating.
Retinol eye creams that contain light amounts of the gold standard ingredient can help address common signs of aging like crow’s feet without drying out skin. And, as for straight-up retinol, Dr. Idriss says the A313 is a great gentle retinol to start off with.
Sunscreen
If you’ve turned 40 and have never used sunscreen before, there’s no point in kicking yourself now — it’s never too late to start. It’s important to wear a moisturizer with SPF 35 or higher every day — whether it’s hot and sunny outside or cold and overcast. Sunscreen will prevent future damage so that you aren’t causing more pigmentation that will appear years down the road.
Address any skincare issues you have with the right products and protect your skin with SPF to ensure it stays gorgeous and glowing for years to come.