Product Swaps To Make Before The Age Of 40

Your 20s are all about staying up late, working on college assignments and going out every weekend—but, somehow, your skin has an impossible glow. Your 30s are all about late nights at the office, but you’ve completely grown into your skincare routine. In your 40s, you’ve finally wised up to the importance of beauty sleep, yet your skin continues to be prone to dullness and dryness. If you’re still using the same products from your dorm days ten to 20 years down the line, it’s no wonder you’re not seeing the results you want. Ahead, the skincare swaps to make by 40 that will help you maintain your radiance for the long haul.

Fierce At 40

Swap Double-Duty Products For Targeted Treatments

Take a few extra minutes to make sure you're getting all the benefits your skin needs. If you haven't already, introduce a serum to your regimen, stat. Look for one that includes active ingredients that boost moisture and minimize the appearance of dark spots. Sure, it's one extra step, but it's more hydrating than a moisturizer (although you still need that too).

Swap Your Rough Exfoliator For A Peel

You're at the age where you should be exfoliating regularly, but stay away from alcohol-based cleansers or rough exfoliating beads that strip your skin and leave it feeling parched. Skin naturally regenerates every 35 days, which sounds great, but it's not as good as the 14-day cycle you enjoyed in your 20s. Rough cleansers can damage your skin, especially now that it doesn't heal as quickly. A weekly at-home peel will keep your complexion radiant and speed up your regeneration cycle.

Swap Your 2-In-1 Face Cream For A Moisturizer

If you have one do-it-all face cream that you apply day and night, it's time to update your routine with different products that target specific goals in the AM and PM. Invest in a high-powered moisturizer. Peptides are definitely worth adding to your routine if you haven't done so already, as they help rebuild collagen.

Swap Your 24-Hour Moisturizer For A Night Oil

Now that you've ditched your do-it-all face cream, invest in an oil that helps you wake up refreshed every morning. Your skin repairs itself while you sleep, so be sure to choose one that's formulated specifically for nighttime use (make sure it includes retinoids for targeting fine lines and wrinkles).

Swap Your BB Cream For A More Powerful SPF

You know this already, but for daytime, we can't stress enough the importance of sunscreen (yes, even in winter). Your SPF 15 BB cream isn't enough to keep you protected anymore. Sun damage is the number-one cause of wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin, not to mention dark spots and other irregularities in pigmentation that tack years onto your face. Apply an SPF 30 or higher on a daily basis, then follow with your regular makeup routine.

Swap Your Body Lotion For Concentrated Treatments

Don't forget, your face isn't the only place that shows your age. Use products specifically formulated for your neck—look for phytoestrogens to smooth, retinols to plump and licorice root to correct discoloration. Trust us, you'll thank us for this one later.