I don’t know about you, but I struggle with my skin and the change in the weather. As the seasons change, my skin reacts, and I struggle to get things under control. I don’t use the best skincare products all the time; however, regardless of how good my skincare routine is, I will still get episodes of poor skin throughout the year. However, at this time of year, I do like to indulge in good summer skin prep to help minimise the changes and get my skin back on track.

Summer Skin Prep in Your 40s

As I turned 40 last year, I am aware that I need to update my products and skincare routine to accommodate this. Sadly, I still get monthly breakouts in line with my period, and my skin has extremely dry areas, meaning I limit how much or if I wear makeup as it can be really noticeable.

In your 40s, you will see the most drastic changes in your skin, from the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to a loss in elasticity and evidence of sun damage. While good skincare routines can minimise all of this before you reach 40, there are ways to help you reduce the appearance of age on your skin and keep it looking and feeling as healthy as possible.

So what is involved in summer skin prep in your 40s? 

Pretty much the same as in your teens, 20s and 30s, except for a change in the type of products you should be using. You need to be using targeted products for the issues you want to tackle. So if you want to remove blemishes and get a more even skin tone, you need to buy products for this; if you want fresher, revitalised skin, then you should buy skincare products that help you achieve this.

Let’s not forget that your lifestyle can play a massive part in how your skin looks and feels. Excessive drinking, smoking, and poor diet will all be evident in your skin, and no amount of products can help you if you aren’t nourishing your skin the right way.

My Top Tips For Summer Skin Prep In Your 40s

Water

Your skin is the biggest organ in your body, and you need to ensure you are drinking enough water to ensure your skin is healthy if you want to make any changes. Your skin won’t feel any benefit if you aren’t drinking enough water. Much like your mum telling you to take your coat off indoors, or you won’t feel the benefit when you go outside, slathering your skin in the best products won’t have the desired effect if you aren’t adequately hydrated. So to boost my Spring skincare before heading to summer, I always like to take stock of how much water I am drinking and start drinking more as the days get warmer.

Exfoliate

I recently started using a facial soap bar I received in a beauty subscription box before Christmas. Before this, I used a facial scrub from the leading high-street brands. Not only has it been perfect for my skin, but the gentle exfoliation in the bar is ideal for everyday use, and I am noticing great results in the drier areas of my face where it can feel like I have overly rough skin.

If you don’t want to use daily exfoliation, then finding a good face scrub for frequent weekly or bi-weekly use can make all the difference and remove any dead cells that regular cleansing can’t.

Deep Moisturising Masks

Face masks are vital for giving your skin the regular indulgence it needs. Make sure to choose a mask that does what you want it to, be it firming, brightening, or intensively moisturizing.

I have dry and sensitive skin, and I cannot tell you how many products my face will react to, even the hypoallergenic ones. However, I have been using the Dr Barbara Sturm Face Mask which is hypoallergenic and ideal for me to give my skin a boost while hydrating and nourishing it. I currently use it twice weekly for the best results, followed by my usual moisturiser.

Lightweight Moisturiser

As the days get warmer, the last thing you want is a heavy moisturizer making your skin feel clogged up. Switching to a more lightweight moisturizer or using a serum can help alleviate those issues. Retail retailers such as Skinstation have a range of high-quality products that you can add to your summer skin prep routine and help you keep your skin in top condition.

SPF

Everyone should wear SPF. Ideally, use a moisturiser with SPF protection to reduce the number of products you use on your face. My current one has an SPF of 15, so I can be protected even on cloudy days. Skin damage shows up in your 40s, which is when it becomes noticeable. So, adding SPF at any age will be highly beneficial and an absolute must for your summer skin prep.

What Ingredients Should You Be Using In Your 40s?

For maximum benefit from your skincare routine, you need to use the right products and ingredients.

• Vitamin C is ideal for boosting tired skin and can be found in eye creams, serums, moisturisers, and more.
• Antioxidants prevent damage caused by free radicals, can even out skin tone, and can reduce sun damage on the face.
• Collagen in skincare products allows you to top up your skin’s natural collagen levels, which decrease as you age. This improves elasticity and firms up the skin.
• Retinol is perfect for a range of different products. Using a nighttime moisturiser with retinol can help enhance cellular turnover, improve the skin surface, and reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness. It can also help with acne breakouts.

It is never too late to start getting the skin you want or to try and reverse any damage done in your younger years.