
Skin care over 40 – what do you have to take into account?
Your skin changes continuously and becomes harder to care for as time goes on. You should therefore adjust your skincare routine every few years according to your requirements in order to keep your complexion even and smooth for as long as possible. We reveal what your skin needs when you are over 40 and what a good skin care routine over 40 looks like.
04 January 2023 • 4 min. reading time
Table of contents
- What makes skin over 40 different from how it was before?
- What does the skin need over 40?
- What active ingredients can help skin over 40?
- How should you change your skin care routine after 40?
- What anti-ageing products are suitable for skin care over 40?
- What else can improve your complexion over the age of 40?
What makes skin over 40 different from how it was before?
The human body, including your skin, undergoes natural ageing processes. These start when you are just 25 years old when certain metabolic and regenerative processes start slowing down. As a result of these processes, skin after the age of 40 is not so well supplied with moisture. It can be less stretchy and shows fine lines and wrinkles. Occasionally, pigment spots or redness can occur in the face area. At first, these changes are not very pronounced and only gradually develop into mature skin with clearly visible lines and wrinkles. You can, however, already take steps to prevent signs of skin ageing with targeted skin care over 40. With regular skin care and careful protection against harmful influences, you can maintain your fresh, youthful glow for many years to come.
What does the skin need over 40?
The most important requirements for skin care over 40 include the following:
- Intense moisturisation
- Protection against harmful environmental influences
- Promotion of the skin’s own regenerative processes
- Smoothing out or reducing pigment spots and redness
- Correction of fine lines and wrinkles as well as irregularities in the complexion
When protecting yourself against harmful environmental influences, daily sun protection is especially important. One of the main factors causing premature ageing is spending time in the sun without protection. UV light can mobilise free radicals, which cause damage at the cellular level. This damage leads to a loss of tension, elasticity and moisture in the skin. It manifests in wrinkles, fine lines, loose skin and pigment spots (age spots). In the worst-case scenario, it can even cause skin cancer. It is, therefore, extremely important to protect your skin from UV light. You should ideally use a day cream with sun protection factor. When spending longer periods outdoors in bright sunlight, you should use a caring sun cream for the face.
What active ingredients can help skin over 40?
For skin care over 40, we recommend products that contain ingredients for the regeneration and hydration of the skin as well as for protection against external influences. These ingredients include, among others:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Vitamin C
- Retinol (vitamin A)
- Niacinamide
Hyaluronic acid improves the hydration of your skin. As an antioxidant, vitamin C has a neutralising effect on free radicals, protecting your skin against the harmful effects of sunlight. In addition, it stimulates the formation of collagen. Retinol stimulates skin regeneration, refines the complexion and likewise promotes the formation of collagen. This gives the skin more elasticity and suppleness. When applied externally, for instance with a face serum, retinol reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Niacinamide is capable of reducing pigment spots, thereby helping you achieve an even complexion. It protects your skin against the effects of free radicals, improves the hydration of your skin and has a favourable influence on the regulation of sebum production.
Hyaluronic acid

Rosental Organics
Serums & Oils
Facial care
Botanical Lifting Effect Hyaluron Serum
£ 35.74 £ 32.17
- £ 27.88
- £ 25.09
- £ 35.74
- £ 32.17

Rosental Organics
Serums & Oils
Facial care
Hyaluron serum
£ 33.06 £ 29.75
- £ 25.79
- £ 23.21
- £ 33.06
- £ 29.75

Santaverde
FACE CARE
FACIAL CARE
hyaluron + serum
£ 26.79 £ 24.11
- £ 20.90
- £ 18.81
- £ 26.79
- £ 24.11

Marbert
Aqua Booster
Skin care
Hyaluron serum
£ 26.83 £ 24.15
- £ 20.93
- £ 18.83
- £ 26.83
- £ 24.15

Klapp Cosmetics
Skin Boost
Produktlinie
Hyaluron Ampullen
£ 17.95 £ 16.16
- £ 14.00
- £ 12.60
- £ 17.95
- £ 16.16

Declaré
Hydro Balance
Skin care
Ocean's Best Hyaluron Triple Booster
£ 50.97 £ 45.87
- £ 39.76
- £ 35.78
- £ 50.97
- £ 45.87

Doctor Eckstein
Skin care serums
Facial care
Active Concentrate Hyaluron Complex
£ 42.11 £ 37.90
- £ 32.85
- £ 29.56
- £ 42.11
- £ 37.90

Logona
Day care
Facial care
Hyaluron Hydro Fluid
£ 11.37 £ 10.23
- £ 8.87
- £ 7.98
- £ 11.37
- £ 10.23

Biodroga
Skin Booster
Biodroga Medical
3% Hyaluron Complex Serum
£ 36.73 £ 33.06
- £ 28.65
- £ 25.78
- £ 36.73
- £ 33.06

Heliotrop
Active Hyaluron
Facial care
Multi-Perform Hyaluron Serum
£ 32.60 £ 29.34
- £ 25.43
- £ 22.89
- £ 32.60
- £ 29.34
Vitamin C

Rosental Organics
Serums & Oils
Facial care
Vitamin C Serum with Caffeine
£ 31.27 £ 28.14
- £ 24.39
- £ 21.95
- £ 31.27
- £ 28.14

The Organic Pharmacy
Facial care
Skin care
Niacinamide Ultra 5 Serum
£ 76.15 £ 68.54
- £ 59.40
- £ 53.46
- £ 76.15
- £ 68.54

Beauté Pacifique
Day Care
Facial care
Vitamin C Glow Serum
£ 47.48 £ 42.73
- £ 37.03
- £ 33.33
- £ 47.48
- £ 42.73

BABOR
Ampoule Concentrates FP
Facial care
Gift set
Perfect Skin Ampoules Set
£ 26.79 £ 24.11
- £ 20.90
- £ 18.81
- £ 26.79
- £ 24.11

The INKEY List
Serums
Face
Vitamin C Serum
£ 11.65 £ 10.49
- £ 9.09
- £ 8.18
- £ 11.65
- £ 10.49

Drunk Elephant
Serum
Facial care
Hydra and the Bright
£ 30.00 £ 27.00
- £ 23.40
- £ 21.06
- £ 30.00
- £ 27.00

The INKEY List
Serums
Face
Tranexamic Acid Serum
£ 16.57 £ 14.91
- £ 12.92
- £ 11.63
- £ 16.57
- £ 14.91

Meisani
Serum
Facial care
Glow Drops Vitamin C Serum
£ 21.49 £ 19.34
- £ 16.76
- £ 15.09
- £ 21.49
- £ 19.34

BABOR
Refine
Doctor BABOR
Radiance Ampoule
£ 47.39 £ 42.65
- £ 36.96
- £ 33.27
- £ 47.39
- £ 42.65
Retinol

Klapp Cosmetics
Retinol
Produktlinie
Triple Action PRO AGE Serum
£ 64.95 £ 58.46
- £ 50.66
- £ 45.59
- £ 64.95
- £ 58.46

Drunk Elephant
Masks and special care products
Facial care
A-Passioni Retinol Cream
£ 26.00 £ 23.40
- £ 20.28
- £ 18.25
- £ 26.00
- £ 23.40

Lancôme
Serum
Facial care
Rénergie Triple Serum Retinol Set
£ 138.86 £ 124.97
- £ 108.31
- £ 97.48
- £ 138.86
- £ 124.97

Klapp Cosmetics
Skin Boost
Produktlinie
Retinol Ampullen
£ 17.95 £ 16.16
- £ 14.00
- £ 12.60
- £ 17.95
- £ 16.16

Juvena
Skin Specialists
Skin care
Retinol & Hyaluron Cell Fluid
£ 73.01 £ 65.71
- £ 56.95
- £ 51.25
- £ 73.01
- £ 65.71

Ahava
Safe Retinol
Facial care
pRetinol Serum
£ 70.77 £ 63.69
- £ 55.20
- £ 49.68
- £ 70.77
- £ 63.69

Klapp Cosmetics
Retinol
Produktlinie
Triple Action Pro Age Firming Power Trio Set
£ 138.95 £ 125.06
- £ 108.38
- £ 97.54
- £ 138.95
- £ 125.06

The Organic Pharmacy
Facial care
Skin care
Retinol Night Serum
£ 43.90 £ 39.51
- £ 34.24
- £ 30.82
- £ 43.90
- £ 39.51

Klapp Cosmetics
Retinol
Produktlinie
Triple Action PRO AGE Booster
£ 52.95 £ 47.66
- £ 41.30
- £ 37.17
- £ 52.95
- £ 47.66
Niacinamide

The Organic Pharmacy
Facial care
Skin care
Niacinamide Ultra 5 Serum
£ 76.15 £ 68.54
- £ 59.40
- £ 53.46
- £ 76.15
- £ 68.54

COSRX
Serum & Essence
Facial care
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
£ 22.31 £ 20.08
- £ 17.40
- £ 15.66
- £ 22.31
- £ 20.08

Rosental Organics
Serums & Oils
Facial care
Niacinamide serum
Pore-Refining Concentrate
£ 35.74 £ 32.17
- £ 27.88
- £ 25.09
- £ 35.74
- £ 32.17

Klapp Cosmetics
Skin Boost
Produktlinie
Niacinamide Ampullen
£ 17.95 £ 16.16
- £ 14.00
- £ 12.60
- £ 17.95
- £ 16.16
How should you change your skin care routine after 40?
As we age, our skin often becomes drier and our complexion more pallid. That’s why you should treat your skin to more moisturising products during your over-40 skin care routine. You should also use regenerative serums that strengthen the skin barrier and promote cell regeneration. Your complexion may have changed since your youth. You should therefore reassess the skin on your face to determine whether you have combination skin, oily skin, dry skin or normal skin. Adjust your care routine to your new skin requirements and choose different care products if necessary.
What anti-ageing products are suitable for skin care over 40?
The best way for over 40s to care for their skin is to use different care products that play different roles in their daily beauty routine. These include:
- Gentle and effective face cleanser
- Regenerative anti-ageing serum
- Rich, moisturising day cream
- Regenerative night cream
- Smoothing eye cream for the sensitive skin around the eyes
- Lip care] with an uplifting, moisturising effect
After cleansing the face, nourish your skin with an intensely hydrating, regenerative serum and then apply your anti-ageing cream. For the skin around the eyes, it is best to use a special eye cream to reduce eye wrinkles and signs of tiredness.
Cleansing

ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND
Combination skin
Facial care
Cleansing Gel
£ 20.56 £ 18.50
- £ 16.04
- £ 14.43
- £ 20.56
- £ 18.50

BABOR
Cleansing
Cleansing
HY-ÖL & Phyto Balancing Set
£ 46.50 £ 41.85
- £ 36.27
- £ 32.64
- £ 46.50
- £ 41.85

BABOR
Cleansing
Cleansing
Hy-oil
£ 24.90 £ 22.41
- £ 19.42
- £ 17.48
- £ 24.90
- £ 22.41

Rosental Organics
Serums & Oils
Facial care
Hydrating Oil
£ 29.47 £ 26.52
- £ 22.99
- £ 20.69
- £ 29.47
- £ 26.52

COSRX
Cleansing
Facial care
Cleanser Gel
Low pH Good Morning
£ 9.94 £ 8.95
- £ 7.75
- £ 6.98
- £ 9.94
- £ 8.95

WELEDA
Cleansing
Facial care
Clarifying wash gel
Gentle, highly effective washing gel for oily, blemished and combination skin
£ 8.91 £ 8.02
- £ 6.95
- £ 6.25
- £ 8.91
- £ 8.02

Hildegard Braukmann
Jeunesse
Care
Wash Gel
£ 7.18 £ 6.46
- £ 5.60
- £ 5.04
- £ 7.18
- £ 6.46

BABOR
Cleansing
Cleansing
Hydrating Set
£ 46.50 £ 41.85
- £ 36.27
- £ 32.64
- £ 46.50
- £ 41.85

WELEDA
Facial cleansing
Men's care
For Men 2in1 Face Wash
Refreshing deep pore cleansing for face and beard
£ 7.12 £ 6.41
- £ 5.55
- £ 5.00
- £ 7.12
- £ 6.41

Charlotte Meentzen
Sebum Reducer
Care
Washing gel
£ 14.24 £ 12.82
- £ 11.11
- £ 10.00
- £ 14.24
- £ 12.82

Doctor Eckstein
Cleaning
Facial care
Azulene cleansing oil
£ 17.02 £ 15.32
- £ 13.28
- £ 11.95
- £ 17.02
- £ 15.32
Night cream

Charlotte Meentzen
Kräutervital
Care
Vitamin night cream
£ 14.24 £ 12.82
- £ 11.11
- £ 10.00
- £ 14.24
- £ 12.82

Charlotte Meentzen
Derma Control
Care
Couperose night care
£ 22.31 £ 20.08
- £ 17.40
- £ 15.66
- £ 22.31
- £ 20.08

Kiehl's
Anti-ageing skin care
Facial care
Midnight Recovery Concentrate
£ 25.43 £ 22.89
- £ 19.84
- £ 17.85
- £ 25.43
- £ 22.89

Charlotte Meentzen
Age Control
Care
Night care with lifting effect
£ 38.43 £ 34.59
- £ 29.98
- £ 26.98
- £ 38.43
- £ 34.59

Charlotte Meentzen
Regeneration
Care
Moisturising cream night
£ 26.79 £ 24.11
- £ 20.90
- £ 18.81
- £ 26.79
- £ 24.11

ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND
AQUANATURE
Facial care
Moisturising Night Cream
£ 35.79 £ 32.21
- £ 27.92
- £ 25.12
- £ 35.79
- £ 32.21

Charlotte Meentzen
Sebum Reducer
Care
Day and night care cream
£ 13.35 £ 12.02
- £ 10.41
- £ 9.37
- £ 13.35
- £ 12.02

ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND
LL REGENERATION
Facial care
Night Cream
£ 39.80 £ 35.82
- £ 31.04
- £ 27.94
- £ 39.80
- £ 35.82
eye cream

Hildegard Braukmann
Essentials
Care
Eye Cream
£ 9.42 £ 8.48
- £ 7.35
- £ 6.61
- £ 9.42
- £ 8.48
Lip care

WELEDA
Eye and lip care
Facial care
Very Cherry Lip Balm
£ 3.99 £ 3.59
- £ 3.11
- £ 2.80
- £ 3.99
- £ 3.59

Nuxe
For her
Gift sets
The Iconics Set
£ 24.99 £ 22.49
- £ 19.49
- £ 17.54
- £ 24.99
- £ 22.49

ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND
NATUROYALE BIOLIFTING
Facial care
Defining Eye and Lip Care
£ 62.71 £ 56.44
- £ 48.91
- £ 44.02
- £ 62.71
- £ 56.44

ANNEMARIE BÖRLIND
Eye care
Facial care
For Lips
£ 7.12 £ 6.41
- £ 5.55
- £ 5.00
- £ 7.12
- £ 6.41

WELEDA
Eye and lip care
Facial care
Everon lip care
Nourishes and protects dry lips naturally
£ 3.99 £ 3.59
- £ 3.11
- £ 2.80
- £ 3.99
- £ 3.59

Nuxe
Huile Prodigieuse
Huile Prodigieuse
The Infinite Glow Set
£ 28.00 £ 25.20
- £ 21.84
- £ 19.66
- £ 28.00
- £ 25.20

Nuxe
Very Rose
Facial care
Pink Fever Set
£ 23.20 £ 20.88
- £ 18.10
- £ 16.29
- £ 23.20
- £ 20.88

WELEDA
Eye and lip care
Facial care
Skin Food Lip Butter
Rich & nourishing for dry lips
£ 5.00 £ 4.50
- £ 3.90
- £ 3.51
- £ 5.00
- £ 4.50

WELEDA
Eye and lip care
Facial care
Skin Food Lip Balm
£ 3.99 £ 3.59
- £ 3.11
- £ 2.80
- £ 3.99
- £ 3.59

SENSAI
Lip care
Facial care
Total Lip Treatment Stick
£ 48.38 £ 43.54
- £ 37.74
- £ 33.96
- £ 48.38
- £ 43.54
What else can improve your complexion over the age of 40?
Alongside using cosmetics, a healthy lifestyle is also an important factor when it comes to a good complexion. Eat a balanced diet to make sure you get enough vitamins and important micronutrients. Drink enough water. The general recommendation for adults is to drink around 2 litres of water or unsweetened tea per day. Get regular exercise in the fresh air and enjoy a little downtime as well for an optimal emotional balance. Avoid harmful environmental influences and protect your skin from UV light and large temperature fluctuations by using appropriate care products.
Takeaway
Optimal skin care over 40 adapts to the changing requirements of people in this stage of life. With the right care products, you can maintain an efficient anti-ageing programme that lets you prevent premature skin ageing. Skin care for over 40s benefits from an intensive supply of hydration, nutrients and antioxidants. The body’s own regeneration processes slow down a little at this age, which means regenerative serums and creams are called for. They gently reduce fine lines and wrinkles and can cause existing pigment spots to fade. The high-quality care products at parfumdreams will support your individual skin care routine, which you can easily adapt to your skin’s requirements. Discover now!


































































































