There is A LOT of skincare out there.
And somewhere along the way, skincare routines went from cleanser + moisturizer to approximately 47 steps. I’m not interested in that.
At 48, I want products that have a purpose. Hydration. Vitamin C. Retinol. Sun protection. And a few extras that make my skin look and feel better.
So I went through Amazon and pulled together a very edited list of products and brands I actually think are worth looking at—at a mix of price points.
Here’s what made my Skincare After 40 Edit.
1. Vitamin C
If you're building a morning skincare routine, vitamin C is one of the ingredients worth knowing about. It acts as an antioxidant and can help with the appearance of uneven tone and signs of photoaging over time.
My pick: Timeless Vitamin C Serum
I like that this is a straightforward vitamin C serum without the luxury-skincare price tag.
2. Hyaluronic Acid
This is all about hydration.
Skin tends to become drier as we age, and hyaluronic acid is a humectant that helps attract and retain water.
My pick: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
It's under $10, simple and easy to layer into a routine.
3. Retinol
If you're over 40 and concerned about visible signs of aging, this is one category I'd pay attention to.
Topical retinoids are among the better-studied skincare ingredients for improving the appearance of fine lines, texture and uneven pigmentation over time.
The important part? You don't need to use a million active ingredients at once. Start slowly and see how your skin responds.
4. A Really Good Moisturizer
I want my moisturizer to actually feel moisturizing—especially at night.
My pick: Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream
This is one of the richer products in my edit and exactly the kind of cream I want when my skin feels dry or depleted.
5. Don't Forget Your Body
Why did we spend years talking about anti-aging skincare for our faces while basically ignoring everything from the neck down?
I've become much more interested in body skincare after 40, particularly hydration and retinol body products.
My body-retinol pick: Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
This is the kind of product I like because it replaces a step rather than adding another complicated one: moisturizer + retinol body care.
I'd use it at night on areas where I'm concerned about dryness, texture or the appearance of aging skin, starting gradually rather than every night.
And remember that retinoids can increase irritation and sun sensitivity, so SPF on exposed skin matters.
6. Sunscreen. Every Day.
Probably the least exciting product on this list—and arguably the most important.
UV exposure contributes to premature skin aging as well as skin cancer risk, so sunscreen isn't just an anti-aging step.
My pick: EltaMD UV Clear
This is one of those products that has developed an enormous following for a reason. If you find a sunscreen you actually like wearing, you're much more likely to use it consistently.
7. The Extras
Not everything in my skincare routine needs to be a serious treatment.
I love products that make skincare feel a little more enjoyable too.
Medicube Hydrogel Eye Patches are an easy morning pick when I want some extra hydration around my eyes.
And St. Tropez Self Tan Mousse gives me color without deliberately tanning my skin in the sun—which becomes increasingly important to me.
SHOP EYE PATCHES →
SHOP SELF TANNER →
8. A Few Ursa Major Favorites
I have a soft spot for Ursa Major. The Vermont brand has been on my radar for years, and several products made this Amazon edit.
I'm especially looking at:
Fantastic Face Wash for cleansing
Mountain Glow Serum when I want something richer
Golden Hour Recovery Cream for moisture
Essential Face Wipes for travel, the gym or those nights when the full routine simply isn't happening
My Simple Skincare Routine After 40
Here's the bigger point: you don't need all of these products at once.
If I were simplifying everything into a basic routine, I'd think about it like this:
AM: Cleanse → Vitamin C → Hydration → Moisturizer if needed → SPF
PM: Cleanse → Retinol on appropriate nights → Moisturizer
BODY: Moisturize daily → Body retinol a few nights a week → SPF on exposed skin during the day
Then add the fun stuff if you want it.
At this point in my life, I'm much more interested in finding fewer, better products than chasing every new skincare trend that comes across my feed.
That's exactly what I'm trying to do with Dear Lucy Edits: sift through all of it and pull out the things that are actually worth a second look.
SHOP MY FULL SKINCARE AFTER 40 EDIT →
Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.
0 comments