It’s never too late to start skincare. For 40-year-olds, this decade benefits most from consistent daily basics to visibly improve dryness, dullness, uneven tone, and fine lines over time. The highest-impact routine is simple: gentle cleansing, a targeted treatment (like vitamin C or a retinoid), moisturizing for barrier support, and broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every day.
At Youthful Reflections Facial Plastic Surgery near Nashville (Brentwood), TN, our team helps patients build realistic regimens using physician-dispensed skincare (including ZO® Skin Health) and—when appropriate—complementary med spa treatments like fractional CO2 laser resurfacing for deeper texture and sun damage concerns.
If you’ve never followed an established skincare routine, it may feel a bit intimidating. The good news is that just a few high-quality products can help you treat your skin and even pamper yourself. Find out below what skin treatment after 40 can look like for you.
Infographic: An Ideal Skincare Routine After 40
Note: Vitamin C complements sunscreen—but SPF is still your primary UV protection.
Infographic transcript (click to expand)
An Ideal Skincare Routine After 40
What’s the ideal mature skin treatment regimen? Start with healthy skin habits that include:
Plenty of vitamin C:
Topical vitamin C is an antioxidant that boosts skin health in multiple ways by fighting toxins and protecting the skin from harmful UV rays.
Daily sunscreen:
It’s never too late to develop the habit of using a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.
Weekly skin exfoliation:
Dead skin cells contribute to a dull complexion, especially as our skin ages.
Moisturizer:
Use a quality moisturizer every day to prevent your skin from becoming dry and flaky.
Gentle cleanser:
Use a mild cleanser and avoid scrubbing your face.
What Changes in Your Skin After 40?
After 40, many people notice slower cell turnover, more dryness, dullness, and an increase in fine lines and uneven pigmentation from cumulative sun exposure. That’s why routines that focus on barrier support + daily UV protection + a few proven actives tend to give the best return.
Is It Ever “Too Late” To Start Skincare?
No, starting skincare after 40 can still improve how your skin looks and feels and set you up to age more gracefully. The key isn’t perfection; it’s consistency and choosing products your skin can tolerate long-term.
How To Start a Skincare Routine After 40
Start with the essentials, then add one targeted “treatment” step based on your #1 concern (spots, texture, dryness, lines). Here’s a simple, effective approach:
1) Use an antioxidant in the morning
Vitamin C is commonly used to support brighter-looking skin and help defend against environmental oxidative stress. However, it is not a replacement for sunscreen. Vitamin C may also support collagen-related skin changes over time, keeping your skin looking young and plump.
How to use it: Apply after cleansing and before moisturizer/sunscreen. If your skin is sensitive, start every other morning to see how you tolerate it.
2) Exfoliate—but don’t overdo it
Exfoliation can help with dullness, rough texture, and enlarged pores, but over-exfoliating can damage your skin barrier and make dryness and redness worse. A practical approach after 40 is to start once a week and increase frequency (up to 3 times /week) only if your skin remains calm.
If you’re already using stronger actives (like retinoids) or doing in-office treatments, you may need to exfoliate less frequently.
Request a consultation with one of our skincare experts to get to know your skin’s unique needs. We will analyze your skin and help you develop a personalized skincare routine.
3) Wear broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every day
Daily sunscreen is the most reliable anti-aging step because UV exposure drives wrinkles, pigmentation, and texture changes over time. If you do only one thing consistently after 40, make it daily SPF.
4) Moisturize for barrier support
Dryness and irritation are common after 40, so barrier support matters. Look for moisturizers designed to support hydration and resilience, such as products containing hyaluronic acid, honey, ceramides, and peptides. If your skin is flaky or sensitive, prioritize moisturizer + SPF before adding more actives.
5) Use a gentle cleanser
A gentle cleanser helps you cleanse without stripping your skin barrier, especially if you’re using actives or doing treatments. Avoid harsh scrubbing and “squeaky clean” cleansers that leave you feeling tight and dry.
A Simple Routine Using ZO® Skin Health
If you’re building a routine with ZO® Skin Health at Youthful Reflections, here is just one way that these medical-grade products may fit into a straightforward regimen:
Morning
- Cleanse: ZO® Exfoliating Cleanser (often for normal to oily skin)
- Treat/Defend: ZO® Daily Power Defense
- Protect: ZO® Sunscreen + Primer Broad-Spectrum SPF 30
Night
- Repair: ZO® Growth Factor Serum
- Program option: ZO® Anti-Aging Program (for patients who want a guided, multi-step approach)
1–2x/week (only if tolerated)
- ZO® Exfoliating Polish or ZO® Complexion Renewal Pads
Your best routine depends on your skin type, sensitivity, and what other treatments you are doing.
Treatments To Boost Your Skincare Routine
Skincare is the foundation for healthy, radiant skin, but it can’t always fully correct deeper sun damage or texture changes on its own. If your main concerns are rough texture, brown spots, fine lines, or certain scars, in-office treatments may help.
Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing (for texture + sun damage)
Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing can improve sun damage, uneven tone, fine lines, and skin texture by stimulating collagen remodeling. It’s a stronger option than many lighter treatments, so downtime and aftercare planning matter.
At Youthful Reflections, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Michael A. Boggess, MD, can help you understand whether resurfacing makes sense for your goals, skin type, and schedule—and whether you’d benefit most from combining resurfacing with facial rejuvenation procedures.
When To See a Skincare Specialist in Nashville
If you’re in Nashville, Brentwood, or the surrounding areas, and you’ve been consistent with skincare for 8 to 12 weeks but still aren’t seeing improvement in sun damage, brown spots, rough texture, or fine lines, it may be time for a professional plan. A consultation is especially helpful if:
- You’re not sure which products are irritating your skin
- You’ve had discoloration after past treatments
- You want a regimen to maintain results after in-office treatments
- You’re considering resurfacing and need a realistic downtime timeline
Get Started
If you want help building a skincare routine after 40—or you’re curious whether fractional CO2 laser resurfacing could help—call Youthful Reflections at (615) 942-8016 or use our online form to request a consultation.
This post was originally published in July 2023 and has been updated.
