Your 40s can feel like a plot twist you didn’t see coming. One minute you’re vibing with your usual routine, and the next…your skin feels drier, your hair changes texture, and your hormones have a mind of their own. If you’ve been wondering what to expect in your 40s, you’re not alone. This decade brings a lot of shifts, but it’s not all downhill…I promise. Let’s talk about what’s really happening with your skin, hair, and hormones… and how to take care of yourself through it all.
FAQs
- Why is my skin changing in my 40s? As estrogen levels begin to decline, your skin may become drier, thinner, and less elastic. This is totally normal…but it also means your skincare routine needs to adapt with more hydration, active ingredients, and gentle exfoliation.
- Is hair loss normal in your 40s? Yes, many women notice thinning or increased hair shedding in their 40s. Hormonal shifts, stress, and even diet can play a role. Supporting your scalp health and using nourishing hair products can help.
- What are common hormonal changes after 40? Fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels can cause symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, irregular periods, and sleep disruptions. These changes are part of perimenopause and vary from woman to woman.
- Can I still improve my skin in my 40s? 100%! With consistent care, the right products, and a mindset of grace, you can absolutely achieve healthy, glowing skin at any age.
What Changes in Your 40s?
Hormones. Our hormones change as we age and because of that, we see some not so pretty changes. Let’s dive into what hormones are doing to our skin as we age:
- Estrogen decreases so we produce less collagen and have less hydrated skin.
- Progesterone shifts so our oil production goes wonky.
- Testosterone levels change and it can cause breakouts in areas we haven’t broken out before!
We might notice some of these changes in our skin:
- Loss of firmness
- Dullness
- Dehydrated and dry skin
- Breakouts
- Sensitive, red, or more reactive skin
It’s like our skin forgot how to act and now you’re dry and breaking out! Our hair can become more brittle and thin, the texture can change, it becomes dryer, and it grows slower. Understand that this is NORMAL. Not cool, but normal.
Your Skin in Your 40s: Texture, Tone, and Treatment Tips
Since our skin is looking and feeling like a raisin as we age, it’s important to give our skin hydration and nourishing products that will help ease the signs of aging. Here are some key products to add to your skincare routine:
Hydrating cleansers:
Hydrating serums:
- F86 Vegan Hyaluronic Serum (great for adding hydration + plumpness)
- F06 Cell Active Face Serum (helps nourish + refine pores, minimize dark spots, and smooths maturing skin)
- F59 Corrective Face Serum (this one targets wrinkles)
Gentle but effective actives:
- F83 HT + Vitamin C Serum (great morning serum to brighten, hydrate, and protect the skin)
- F87 Corrective Kahai Elixir (retinol) Read all about the benefits of retinol!
- F81 AHA + HT Serum (chemical exfoliator that helps slough off dead skin cells and promote cell turnover) Read more about the benefits of exfoliating!
Best eye products:
Hair Changes and Scalp Care After 40
As we age, we may notice some of these changes with our hair:
- Thinning or Hair Loss– Hormonal changes (especially a drop in estrogen and progesterone) can slow down hair growth and increase shedding. Many women notice their ponytail isn’t as thick or their part appears wider.
- Texture Changes– Your once-straight hair might suddenly wave… or your curls might relax. Hormones can change the shape of the follicle, which changes your hair texture.
- Dryness & Dullness– Lower oil production from your scalp can make your hair feel more brittle or look less shiny.
- Slower Growth– Hair may not grow as quickly, and breakage can become more common…especially around the hairline or crown.
So, what can we do about these not so fun changes??! We can start at the scalp because a healthy scalp equals healthy hair!
- Exfoliate the Scalp Weekly– Just like your face, your scalp needs exfoliation to remove buildup and keep follicles healthy. Try using a gentle scalp scrub or brush.
- Use Nourishing, Sulfate-Free Products– Look for hydrating shampoos and conditioners that strengthen the hair shaft without stripping natural oils. These are my personal faves!
- Massage for Circulation– Scalp massage stimulates blood flow and encourages hair growth. Bonus: it’s super relaxing.
- Try Hair Serums or Oils– Lightweight oils like rosemary, argan, or Olive Tree People’s Hydroxytyrosol Hair Oil Serum can nourish your roots and boost shine. Read more about how the H90 Hair Oil Serum can transform your hair!
- Limit Heat Styling & Tight Hairstyles– Overuse of heat tools or pulling hair back tightly can lead to breakage so opt for loose or heat free styles when possible.
How to Build a 40+ Beauty Routine that Actually Works
Gone are the days of being able to toss any skincare product from the drugstore into our shopping cart and get great results. For women over 40, we need to invest in more nourishing products that aren’t full of fillers and preservatives and are watered down. We need high quality and bioactive ingredients to help our skin age gracefully! But how do we do that??
Well…skincare isn’t one size fits all. We all have different skin types and skin concerns so we need different products. And you need someone to help tell you what products your skin needs. That’s where I come in as your virtual beauty coach. You can get instant recommendations by taking the SKIN QUIZ or you can wait a day or two and get personalized recommendations from me, a licensed esthetician. I will curate a custom skincare routine just for your needs! Fill out my SKIN QUESTIONNAIRE to get started!
You have mature skin so you need mature skin service. You deserve it!
Aging doesn’t mean fading …it means evolving. And when you know what to expect in your 40s, you can meet those changes with intention, confidence, and care. Whether it’s fine-tuning your skincare, finding hormone support, or simply giving yourself more grace, you’re not alone in this. You were made to shine and this decade can be your glow-up, not your slow-down.
Here are other blogposts that you might enjoy:
- The Benefits of Drinking Collagen Every Day
- My Nightly Waterless Skincare Routine with Oliveda (Step by Step)
- My Morning Waterless Skincare Routine with Oliveda (Step by Step)
- New York Fashion Week (NYFW) Favorites: Olive Rose Picks I’m Most Excited To Use All Fall
- Top 5 Oliveda Products I Can’t Live Without
- Hormonal Skin Changes After 40 (and What You Can Do About Them)
- Why Waterless Skincare is Ideal for Aging Skin (Featuring Oliveda)
About the Author
JoEllen is a licensed esthetician, certified makeup artist, and certified John Maxwell coach, speaker, and trainer. She works with women helping them look and feel confident. She loves teaching women simple beauty techniques so they can feel empowered to try it at home. Her motto is that when you look and feel good, you do good!
*This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase an item featured in this post, I get a small portion from the sale. Thank you! It does not affect you at all.
