One day your skincare routine is working just fine. The next, your face feels dry, your foundation clings in all the wrong places, and your favourite serum suddenly stings.

This is the reality of skin in your 40s and beyond. Hormones change, collagen production slows, and too much stress and too little sleep  all start showing up on your face. The products that once worked perfectly might stop delivering the same results. And that’s normal.

Your skin isn’t misbehaving, it’s evolving. With the right tweaks and a little awareness, you can stay in sync with what it needs now and keep it looking (and feeling) its best.

Skin after 40: what’s normal

Once you hit your 40s, your skin starts to change in quiet but noticeable ways. These changes are part of the natural aging process, not signs that something’s gone wrong, but clues that your skin needs a little extra support.

Cell turnover slows down

Dead skin cells don’t shed as quickly as they used to, which can leave your complexion looking dull or uneven. If your face feels a bit rougher or your glow seems harder to find, it’s likely this. A gentle exfoliant – think lactic acid or a soft enzyme mask – can help things along.

Collagen levels dip

Collagen, the protein that keeps your skin plump and firm, begins to decline more rapidly in your 40s – reports West Lake Dermatology. You might notice deeper lines, especially around the eyes and mouth or a slight slackening around the jaw. This is one of the biggest contributors to visible aging – and one of the most common.

Dryness becomes more common

As oestrogen levels start to fluctuate, skin can feel drier, tighter or less resilient – backed up by a study reported in PubMedon estrogens and aging skin. That post-cleanse tightness? It’s not your imagination. Moisture retention becomes harder, meaning your regular moisturiser might not cut it anymore.

Pigmentation starts to show up

As reported in Women’s Health, freckles, sun spots and uneven tone tend to crop up more often thanks to past UV exposure. Melanin – the pigment that gives skin its colour – distributes less evenly over time, which can make your complexion look patchy or less luminous.

Skin becomes more reactive

Suddenly getting irritated by a product you’ve used for years? You’re not alone. A medically reviewed article published in SELF explains that your skin barrier weakens with age, making it more sensitive to fragrance, active ingredients and environmental stress. What used to feel fine may now cause redness, tingling or dryness.

Skin after 40: What may not be normal

Not every change is part of the natural ageing process. If something on your skin feels unfamiliar or out of sync, it’s worth flagging. Here are a few signs to keep an eye on:

Moles that change shape, colour or size

Any sudden shift – whether a new mole appears or an old one looks different – should be checked by a doctor. These can be early signs of skin cancer, and catching them early makes a big difference.

Persistent redness or flaky patches

Dryness is common, but if redness or scaling won’t budge, it could point to rosacea, eczema, or another skin condition. These are often manageable but benefit from a targeted approach.

Breakouts that ramp up in midlife

Hormonal acne is a known side effect of perimenopause, but if breakouts become cystic, painful or don’t respond to your usual routine, it’s worth digging deeper. Inflammation, stress or shifting hormones might be playing a bigger role.

Unusual thickening or texture changes

Skin that becomes noticeably waxy, leathery or thick in certain spots – especially if it’s just on one area – should be assessed. It might be harmless, but it could also be a sign of a dermatological issue like lichenification or sun damage.

If something doesn’t feel right, trust that instinct. Skin is a messenger; sometimes what shows up on the surface is a cue to check in deeper.

 

How your hormones influence skin in midlife

Your skin responds to what’s happening throughout your body. And in your 40s and beyond, hormones take centre stage.

Vichy Laboratories explain just some of the ways hormones affect skin:

As oestrogen levels start to dip, your skin loses some of its natural plumpness and bounce. Collagen production slows, hydration levels drop, and elasticity begins to wane. The result? Skin that feels thinner, drier and a little less resilient.

At the same time, lower progesterone may leave your complexion looking dull or uneven. For some women, a relative rise in androgens (like testosterone) can trigger oiliness or hormonal breakouts, especially around the chin and jawline.

Products that once worked like magic may start falling short, not because they’ve stopped working, but because your skin’s needs have changed. Understanding this shift is the first step toward building a routine that actually supports where your skin is now.

Skin over 40: What you can do about it

Here’s how to care for skin that’s changing in texture, tone and temperament:

1. Keep your barrier happy

A compromised skin barrier leads to redness, flakiness and more pronounced aging. Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser and prioritise products with ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

Avoid over-exfoliating – twice a week is enough for most. And always apply SPF 50 daily, even when it’s cloudy.

2. Upgrade your moisturiser

Now’s the time to go richer. Look for ingredients like squalane, peptides and fatty acids. Layering a hydrating serum underneath (such as hyaluronic acid) can help your moisturiser lock in more moisture.

If your skin is dry and breaking out, don’t panic. This combo is common in hormonal skin. Use oil-free hydration during the day and target breakouts with spot treatments, not harsh all-over cleansers.

3. Target tone and texture

To tackle dullness and pigmentation:

• Vitamin C serums help even tone and boost collagen
• Retinoids can increase cell turnover and reduce fine lines (start slowly)
• Azelaic acid is great for redness and pigmentation

Be consistent; results come with time.

4. Feed your skin from within

What you eat starts to matter more. A skin-friendly diet includes:

• Healthy fats (omega-3s from flax, chia seeds, fish)
• Antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables
• Protein for collagen support
• Water to maintain hydration
• Limit processed sugar and alcohol – both can dull the complexion and speed up aging.

5. Adjust based on the season (and stress)

Skin after 40 is more reactive to weather, hormones and stress. What worked in summer might not work in winter. Listen to your skin: if it feels irritated, simplify. If it feels thirsty, layer hydration.

Stress also raises cortisol, which can break down collagen and trigger breakouts. Daily stress-reduction practices like walking, breathwork or switching off your phone at night can genuinely support your skin.

When your skin needs a reset, try a treatment

If your skin’s feeling different lately – drier, more reactive, less radiant – it’s not your imagination. Hormonal shifts after 40 can reshape how your skin looks and feels. Sometimes, the best way to understand what it needs now is to step back and reset.

At Homefield Grange Retreat, our skin treatments are designed to support those changes gently and effectively.

Options like the LED Skin Rejuvenation Facial help boost collagen and reduce redness, while the Illuminate Facial restores glow to tired, lacklustre skin.

For deeper nourishment, the Gold & Caviar Anti-Ageing Facial combines active ingredients to hydrate, firm and soothe.

You won’t just leave with brighter skin – you’ll also leave with a clearer sense of how to care for it moving forward. Discover the full treatment menu here.

Ring us on 01536 712219 or email enquries@homefieldgrange.co.uk for bookings.