As women move through their 40s and beyond, our skin begins to reflect the natural hormonal changes happening within. Lower estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause can lead to dryness, thinning skin, and a loss of elasticity. The good news? With the right ingredients and a consistent skincare routine, you can keep your skin healthy, hydrated, and radiant at every age.

Here are the five key ingredients I recommend to my patients over 40 and why they’re essential for maintaining youthful, resilient skin.

1. SPF – Your Daily Essential

If you only commit to one skincare habit, make it daily sunscreen. UV damage is the number one cause of premature aging, including wrinkles, sagging, and pigmentation. Applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every morning helps prevent these visible signs of aging while protecting your skin’s natural barrier and collagen integrity. I always tell my patients that the best sunscreen is the one you actually like to wear, so make sure when you're looking to start this habit, you introduce products you really like.

I love Hydratint BB SPF 44. It makes my morning routine easy because it's a tinted SPF that acts as a moisturizer, foundation, and SPF all in one.

2. Retinol – The Gold Standard for Cell Renewal

Retinol remains one of my all-time favorite ingredients for aging skin. It accelerates cell turnover, smooths uneven texture, minimizes fine lines, and helps improve overall skin tone. Essentially, it reminds your skin how to behave like it did in your 20s.

If your skin is sensitive or prone to dryness, start slow (1-2x a week) and build up to nightly use as tolerated. You can also try my Retinol Staging™ method or use gentle alternatives like bakuchiol, which provides similar benefits without irritation. One of my favorites is Lift+Renew, which has been clinically shown to deliver comparable results to prescription tretinoin with less dryness and peeling.

3. Vitamin C – Brighten, Protect, and Repair

Vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant that helps protect your skin from daily environmental damage while supporting collagen production and evening out skin tone. When used in the morning, especially under SPF, it acts as a double layer of defense against pollution and UV exposure.

Over time, Vitamin C helps restore a natural glow and can visibly reduce signs of sun damage, making it an absolute must-have for women over 40. 

4. Peptides – Support Firmness and Elasticity

Think of peptides as little messengers that tell your skin to make more collagen and elastin. They are tiny amino acid chains that over-time help improve firmness and elasticity, giving your skin a smoother, lifted appearance. Peptides also work well alongside other actives like retinol and vitamin C, enhancing your results without causing irritation.

5. Estrogen (and Phytoestrogens) – Restore Balance and Hydration

As your natural estrogen levels decline during perimenopause and menopause, we often see that the skin can becomes drier and less resilient. Topical estrogen or plant-based phytoestrogens can help restore hydration and maintain the structural integrity of the skin. They mimic estrogen’s effects at the skin level, helping to improve thickness, elasticity, and overall radiance. If you’re considering topical estrogen or hormone-based treatments, it's best to talk with your dermatologist or healthcare provider to ensure they’re the right fit for your skin and health profile.

Consistency is KEY

The most important thing to remember when using any of these skincare ingredients is that they will take time and consistency. One of the most common questions I get is, “Does my skincare routine really make a difference?” The answer is absolutely, but only if you're consistent. Consistency is everything. Think of your skincare like exercise: one great workout won’t transform your body, but consistent effort over time delivers visible, lasting results. With regular use, active ingredients help your skin function optimally, improving hydration, texture, and tone.

Aging is a natural, beautiful process but that doesn’t mean your skin can’t look and feel great. By choosing the right ingredients and sticking to a consistent routine, you can maintain healthy, radiant skin well into your 40s, 50s, and beyond.