A good cleanser, daily SPF and a few favorites I love. That is where my over 40 skincare routine starts. ORPHEUS Resurrection Serum Slip Cleanser is one of those favorites. So are my ELEMIS pads and DRMTLGY Luminous Eye Corrector. And ZIIP? My daughter and I both love it.
Below, you will find my personal favorites, plus more products to browse by category. I have marked the ones I use. Where I have only named a brand, the linked formula is an option to browse, not necessarily the one on my shelf. This is a shopping guide, not a recommendation to use everything together.
Sleep, lifting, supplements and hair are in my Over 40 healthy living routine.
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Cleansers and Cleansing Balms for an Over-40 Skincare Routine
First, the cleanser. I love ORPHEUS, and I also like ELEMIS cleansing balm. Pick the one that fits your routine. You do not need all three.
- ORPHEUS Resurrection Serum Slip Cleanser – I love this cleanser. Its serum-like texture turns into a soft micro-foam. Shop here
- ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm – I also like ELEMIS cleansing balm. The original Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm is a balm-to-oil-to-milk option to browse; I have not specified my version. Shop here
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Facial Cleanser – A hydrating cleanser to browse. I use La Roche-Posay, but this is not my confirmed exact cleanser. Shop here
Vitamin C Serums to Browse
Looking for a vitamin C serum? These are three options to browse, rather than products from my own routine.
- Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum – A serum combining vitamin C, vitamin E and ferulic acid. Shop here
- Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe – A vitamin C serum with a nourishing, oil-based texture. Shop here
- SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic – A serum with 15% L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E and ferulic acid. Shop here
Retinol and Retinal Options for Night
For night, keep it simple: choose one vitamin A product, not both. Read the directions and ask a dermatologist about the right strength and frequency for your skin.
- Medik8 Crystal Retinal – A retinal serum range with several strengths. Choose the strength for your own experience rather than copying someone else. Shop here
- SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 – A face cream containing 0.3% retinol. Shop here
Face Moisturizers and Balms
I also use La Roche-Posay. Below are a balm and two creams to browse, depending on the texture you like. The linked La Roche-Posay formulas are not my confirmed exact products.
- La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5+ – A balm option for dry skin. One to browse from a brand I use. Shop here
- Tata Harper Repairative Moisturizer – A hydrating moisturizer option available at Credo. Shop here
- SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 – A richer cream with ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids. Shop here
Facial Moisturizers With SPF and Tinted Sunscreen
CeraVe SPF 50 and Torriden DIVE-IN Mild Suncream are products I use. My face sunscreen is an EltaMD tinted formula. The linked EltaMD UV Daily is an editorial option, not a confirmation of my exact formula.
- CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 50 – I use this facial moisturizing lotion, which combines moisturizer and broad-spectrum SPF 50. Shop here
- Torriden DIVE-IN Mild Suncream SPF50+ PA++++ – I also use Torriden DIVE-IN Mild Suncream. This is the Mild version, not the DIVE-IN moisturizer. Shop here
- EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 – I use an EltaMD tinted sunscreen on my face. UV Daily Tinted SPF 40 is one option to browse; I have not specified my exact EltaMD formula. Shop here
Eye Creams and a Tinted Eye Corrector With SPF
My daily pick is DRMTLGY Luminous Eye Corrector SPF 41. I use it with sunscreen on the rest of my face. The other two products are eye cream options, not products I have said I use.
- DRMTLGY Luminous Eye Corrector SPF 41 – I use Luminous Eye Corrector SPF 41 daily alongside my face sunscreen. It is a tinted eye corrector, not a replacement for face SPF. The linked page opens in Fair; choose your own shade. Shop here
- DRMTLGY Advanced Eye Cream – An eye cream with peptides and ceramides. This is an additional option, not my Luminous Eye Corrector. Shop here
- SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye – An eye cream option from SkinCeuticals. Shop here
Facial Exfoliating Polish, Pads and Liquid Exfoliant
I love ZO Exfoliating Polish and also use the ELEMIS pads. These are different exfoliating options, not a daily three-product sequence. The ORPHEUS cleanser also has an exfoliating component. Ask a dermatologist how to fit exfoliation and retinoids into your routine without overdoing it.
- ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish – I love this face polish with ultra-fine magnesium crystals. It is an exfoliating polish, not a cleanser. The brand directs US purchases through its clinical-professional network. Shop here
- ELEMIS Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads – I also use these exfoliating facial pads with lactic acid. Shop here
- Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – A leave-on exfoliant with 2% salicylic acid. It is an alternative to consider, not another step to pile onto every exfoliator. Shop here
Body Lotion and Neck Cream
Do not forget the body and neck. These are two more options to browse, not products from my own routine.
- DRMTLGY Advanced Neck Cream – A peptide- and ceramide-rich cream made for the neck and décolletage. Shop here
- Naturium Bio-Lipid Restoring Body Lotion – A body lotion option for soft, comfortable skin. Shop here
Tower 28, ZIIP and Westman Atelier
A few more favorites: Tower 28, Westman Atelier and ZIIP. I use these brands and the device, but the linked products, model and shades are options to browse rather than my confirmed exact versions.
- Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray – I use Tower 28. This hypochlorous-acid spray is one option to browse, not my confirmed exact product. Shop here
- ZIIP HALO – My daughter and I both use ZIIP, and we love it. HALO is the current microcurrent device option to browse, not a statement of our exact model. Follow the device instructions and safety guidance. Shop here
- Westman Atelier complexion range – I use Westman Atelier too. Browse the complexion range and choose your own product and shade. This link opens the range, not a specific product. Shop here
A Simple Over-40 Skincare Routine
Start with cleansing, moisturizer and sunscreen. Add an active ingredient only when it fits your skin and the product directions. This shopping guide is not a calendar for using every active ingredient at once.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Choose a formula that fits your day and follow the label for application and reapplication. AAD: How to select a sunscreen.
This is general information, not medical advice. Talk to a dermatologist or other healthcare professional about your skin before adding active ingredients, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have a skin condition. Read each product label and device safety guidance. Individual results vary.
