What skincare routine is right for your age?
Your skin naturally changes throughout your life. Over time, collagen production slows, cell turnover becomes less efficient, hydration levels decline and hormonal changes begin to affect how your skin looks and behaves. As a result, the skincare that worked brilliantly in your 20s may no longer be enough in your 40s or 50s.
This doesn’t mean you need an entirely new routine every decade though, the fundamentals of great skincare remain the same. What changes are the ingredients and products you prioritise to support your skin’s evolving needs.
In Your 20s
What is happening?
Collagen production is still strong until your mid to late 20’s and the skin generally recovers quickly. The focus should be on prevention and protection.
Your skincare priorities
- Protect against premature skin ageing with daily broad-spectrum SPF.
- Maintain hydration to support a healthy, resilient skin barrier.
- Defend against environmental damage with antioxidant ingredients like Vitamin C.
- Build consistent skincare habits that will benefit your skin for years to come.
Recommended routine
Morning
Cleanser → Vitamin C Serum → Moisturiser → SPF
Evening
Cleanser → Hydrating Serum → Moisturiser
Why these ingredients?
Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection against environmental damage, while SPF remains the single most effective product for preventing premature skin ageing.
In Your 30s
What is happening?
From your mid to late 20s, collagen production begins to decline by around 1% each year. Cell turnover also starts to slow, meaning fresh skin cells take longer to reach the surface. While your skin may still appear youthful, early fine lines, dullness and uneven pigmentation can begin to develop, particularly if you’ve had years of UV exposure.
Your skincare priorities
- Support collagen production to help maintain firmness and elasticity.
- Boost radiance and promote a more even skin tone by encouraging healthy skin renewal.
- Continue protecting against UV damage with antioxidants and daily SPF.
- Introduce preventative ingredients, such as peptides or retinol, to help minimise the appearance of early fine lines.
Recommended routine
Morning
Cleanser → Antioxidant Serum (Vitamin C) → Moisturiser → SPF
Evening
Cleanser → Peptide Serum (or you can start to incorporate a Retinol Serum) → Moisturiser
Why these ingredients?
Peptides help support collagen production, while introducing retinol can encourage healthy cell turnover and help prevent the appearance of fine lines.
In Your 40s
What is happening?
By your 40s, collagen and elastin loss becomes more noticeable, cell turnover slows further, and your skin produces less natural oil. Years of sun exposure may also begin to show as pigmentation and uneven skin tone.
For many women, this decade also marks the beginning of perimenopause, when fluctuating hormone levels can have a significant impact on the skin. You may notice increased dryness and dehydration, loss of firmness and elasticity, sensitivity, hormonal breakouts, or skin that simply doesn’t behave the way it used to.
Your skincare priorities
- Stimulate collagen production to improve firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Replenish hydration as natural moisture levels begin to decline.
- Support healthy skin renewal to improve texture, radiance and overall skin tone.
- Target pigmentation and uneven skin tone caused by years of accumulated sun exposure.
- Strengthen the skin barrier, particularly as hormonal changes during perimenopause can increase dryness and sensitivity.
Recommended routine
Morning
Cleanser → Antioxidant Serum (Vitamin C or Peptides) → Moisturiser → SPF
Evening
Cleanser → Retinol Serum (2–4 nights per week) → Moisturiser
On nights you’re not using retinol:
Cleanser → Hydrating Serum (Hyaluronic acid or collagen) or Peptide Serum → Moisturiser
Why these ingredients?
Retinol helps encourage healthy cell turnover and supports smoother, firmer-looking skin, while antioxidants help protect against environmental damage that accelerates visible skin ageing. As hormone levels begin to fluctuate during perimenopause, hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients become increasingly important for maintaining healthy, resilient skin.
In Your 50s and beyond
What is happening?
During perimenopause and menopause, declining oestrogen has a significant impact on the skin. It produces less collagen, becomes thinner and drier, and the skin barrier becomes more fragile. This can lead to increased sensitivity, loss of firmness, dehydration and slower healing.
Your skincare priorities
- Restore hydration and strengthen the skin barrier as declining oestrogen leaves skin drier and more fragile.
- Support firmness and elasticity with collagen-supporting and skin-replenishing ingredients.
- Reduce dryness and discomfort with nourishing moisturisers and barrier-repair ingredients.
- Protect against ongoing moisture loss and environmental damage to help maintain healthy skin function.
- Focus on ingredients such as ceramides, peptides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to support the changing needs of menopausal skin.
Recommended routine
Morning
Cleanser → Hydrating Serum and/or Firming Serum → Nourishing Moisturiser → SPF
Evening
Cleanser → Retinol (if still tolerated) → Rich Night Cream
On nights you’re not using retinol:
Cleanser → Barrier-supporting Serum (Hyaluronic acid, Peptides, Niacinamide) → Moisturiser
Why these ingredients?
As hormone levels decline, hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients become increasingly important. Ceramides, peptides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid help replenish moisture, strengthen the skin barrier and improve comfort.
Remember though, this is a basic rule of thumb. Your skin type, lifestyle, environment and hormones all influence what your skin needs. Two people in their 40s may require quite different routines depending on whether their skin is oily, dry, sensitive or showing signs of pigmentation.
Rather than focusing on your age alone, pay attention to what your skin is telling you. If your skin feels tight or dehydrated, hyaluronic acid serums are a must. If sensitivity develops, prioritise barrier-supporting ingredients such as ceramides, peptides and niacinamide, along with soothing botanicals like aloe vera and chamomile. If pigmentation or loss of firmness become your main concerns, targeted treatment serums can make a significant difference.
The best skincare routine isn’t determined by your age, it’s the one that’s tailored to your skin’s current needs.