In your 40s, the lines of movement between your brows and around your eyes and mouth don't disappear like they did in your 30s. "Your estrogen level is tapering so your skin will become dryer," says Lorencin. Overall you'll need to add moisture and collagen-building ingredients like peptides.
Your ideal regimen:
Step 1: Cleanse using a basic non-foaming, non-drying cleanser in combination with a gentle face cleansing brush to help remove dead skin cells. Because you'll use retinol regularly, you'll need to get rid of any flaking skin.
Step 2: Use SPF daily to prevent further damage and choose a product that contains antioxidants to fight free radicals and help reverse some of the damage you already have.
Step 3: Retinoids and peptides are two ingredient groups that you should add into your routine if you haven't already. Peptides can help rebuild collagen, especially when used in combination with skin texture-improving retinoids like retinol. To get both ingredients in one dose (and at one price), opt for a serum.
Step 4: Use a moisturizer that has a high level of glycerin or hyaluronic acid to help skin retain the moisture it needs.
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If you're in your 50s ...
"Moisture, moisture, moisture," says Waldorf, should be your main concern in your 50s. Loss of tone and sagging are your biggest issues and creams and serums can only do so much. If you're looking for more dramatic results, in addition to using powerful products that contain peptides, retinoids, or alpha hydroxy or amino acids, consider talking to your derm about laser treatments and other non-evasive or evasive skin rejuvenation options if you haven't already.
Your ideal regimen:
Step 1: Use a cream cleanser that will hydrate skin while it cleanses.
Step 2: Choose a moisturizing cream that contains SPF to keep skin hydrated and protected. Because ingredients like retinoids can make skin more sensitive to the sun, daily use of sunscreen is a must.
Step 3: For day, apply a peptide rich serum under your SPF daily to help build collagen. Look for one that also contains antioxidants to fight free radicals or hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture.
Step 4: For night, apply a retinoid like retinol before your moisturizer "Generally retinoids are applied at night because most lose potency with exposure to ultraviolet light," says Waldorf.
Step 5: Though it sounds too simple (and inexpensive) to be true, a simple petroleum jelly is tops at sealing in moisture, which is more important now than ever. Apply it following any treatment serums.
Still dealing with breakouts past your teens? One of these sneaky culprits is probably to blame.
When it comes to skin care, most of us fall into one of two camps. There are those of us who never change our routine, using the same harsh face wash and lightweight moisturizer from our high school days. Then there's the other group, who embrace treatments like Botox and acid peels before there's even a wrinkle in sight.
Neither situation is ideal. But with a few simple updates, it's easy to find the happy medium. To help, we talked to New York dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, MD, and Olga Lorencin, esthetician and co-owner of Kinara Spa in Los Angeles. They gave us the scoop on what products are ideal for you in your 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. Follow their advice for your best possible complexion at every age.
