How Changes in Your 40s Affect Your Skin

Over the years, your skin’s needs evolve, but, there is no need to worry. Let’s find out how changes in your 40s affect your skin, and what you can do about it to maintain a youthful complexion!

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Research suggests your 40s is when you really start to see significant changes on your skin. As your body adapts to hormonal shifts, slower regeneration processes, and environmental damage accumulated over the years, your skin’s needs evolve. But, there is no need to worry. Let’s find out how changes in your 40s affect your skin, and what you can do about it to maintain a youthful complexion!

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How Changes in Your 40s Affect Your Skin

As you enter your 40s, your skin will begin to show signs of how you have treated it over the past few decades. The ageing process can manifest in a variety of different ways, from a range of causes, including: dryness, dullness, oiliness, acne, fine lines & wrinkles, thinning skin, sagging, a loss of volume, hyperpigmentation and an uneven skin tone.

Changes in Skin Condition: Oily & Dry –

A commonly discussed issue for those in their 40s in changes in the condition of their skin. Those with previously ‘normal’ skin can find they now have issues with dryness or oiliness. Some may even struggle with dryness and oiliness at the same time! Perimenopause and menopause bring a decrease in oestrogen levels, which play a significant role in maintaining skin hydration. Lower oestrogen levels can reduce the skin’s sebum production, leading to dryness. Fluctuating hormone levels, on the other hand, can increase sebum production, leading to oily skin. This is particularly true for ‘hormonal’ areas such as the jawline.

Dull Skin –

By the time you’re in your 40s, the skin cell renewal process slows significantly. While babies experience renewal every 14 days, and youthful skin turns over every 28 days, by the time you reach your 40s it can take up to 45 days. Therefore, a buildup of dead skin cells remain on the skin, making your complexion look uneven and dull.

Fine Lines & Wrinkles –

Collagen, the protein responsible for keeping skin firm and plump, is known as the ‘scaffolding’ of the skin. By your 40s, collagen production has dropped significantly, and levels of collagen will have been declining by roughly 1% a year since your mid 20s. It will continue to drop at the same rate until perimenopause, which generally happens in your 40s, when another 30% of collagen is lost from the skin. At the same time, elastin (which gives your skin its ability to bounce back) also diminishes. This results in thinner, less firm skin and the development of fine lines and wrinkles.

Acne Breakouts –

As discussed above, changing hormone levels as you enter peri-menopause can lead to an increase in androgens, which stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. This excess oil can clog pores and lead to breakouts. Not adapting your skincare as you enter a new decade can also be a cause of breakouts in your 40s, as using the wrong skincare products can clog your pores.

Sagging & Loss of Volume –

Fat pads in your face begin to shrink and shift in your 40s, leading to a loss of volume in the cheeks and under-eye area. This can make the face appear more hollow or create the look of deeper wrinkles. This, paired with the decline of collagen and elastin, causes sagging, particularly around the jawline, eyes, and cheeks.

Hyperpigmentation & Uneven Skin Tone

Sun exposure from earlier years often catches up in your 40s, showing up as hyperpigmentation, age spots, or melasma. The skin’s outer layer (epidermis) also becomes thinner, making veins and blood vessels more visible. This too can contribute to an uneven skin tone.

Looking After Your Skin In Your 40s

Don’t worry! Looking after your skin in your 40s is as simple as enhancing all of the things that worked for you in your 20s and 30s. If you haven’t already, it is time to focus on promoting collagen and elastin production. This is particularly true if you are approaching perimenopause.

Find a Therapist

If you’re struggling with your skin in your 40s, find a therapist for a rejuvenating treatment. Combat fine lines and wrinkles with SkinBase Collagen Lift, banish an uneven skin tone with SkinBase Hydro or clear up hormonal acne with SkinBase Microdermabrasion.