10 Things Women Over 40 Should Never Do To Their Skin Again

Hitting your 40s means your skin needs different care than before.

Those skincare habits from your 20s?

Many just don’t cut it anymore. I’ve learned this firsthand as hormones shift, collagen production slows, and those little lines start appearing in places they weren’t before.

After talking with dermatologists and experimenting on my own face, I’ve compiled these essential skin don’ts for women over 40.

1. Skipping Sunscreen (Even on Cloudy Days)

Remember when we’d slather on baby oil and bake ourselves like rotisserie chickens? Those days are officially over. UV damage accounts for about 90% of skin aging, and our skin becomes more vulnerable as we age.

I made this mistake last winter, thinking cloudy skies meant sunscreen could take a vacation. Wrong! Those sneaky UV rays penetrate clouds and even windows. The resulting dark spots took months to fade.

Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ every single morning, rain or shine. Modern formulas don’t leave that ghostly white cast or greasy feeling anymore. Your future self will thank you when you’re the one with fewer age spots and wrinkles at your next reunion.

2. Over-Exfoliating Your Delicate Skin

That scrubby satisfaction from aggressive exfoliation? Pure skin sabotage after 40. Cell turnover naturally slows down with age, making over-exfoliation especially damaging now.

Last year, I went overboard with a trendy chemical peel, thinking more was better. My poor face turned red, flaky, and painfully sensitive for weeks. Mature skin simply doesn’t bounce back like it once did.

Limit exfoliation to 1-2 times weekly using gentle acids like lactic or mandelic rather than harsh physical scrubs. Think of exfoliation like seasoning a delicate dish – a little enhances, too much ruins. Your skin barrier needs protection, not assault. When in doubt, less is definitely more for keeping that glow without the damage.

3. Sleeping With Makeup On

I get it – sometimes you’re exhausted and the bathroom seems miles away. But sleeping in makeup is like inviting trouble to a slumber party on your face. Your skin repairs itself overnight, and makeup blocks this critical process.

Makeup traps environmental pollutants against your skin for hours, accelerating aging and causing inflammation. Plus, those tiny makeup particles can enlarge pores over time – something none of us needs!

Keep makeup wipes on your nightstand for emergencies if willpower fails. Even a quick wipe is better than nothing. Your pillowcase will stay cleaner too, which means fewer breakouts. Morning-you will appreciate evening-you’s effort when you wake up with clearer, more radiant skin instead of clogged pores and irritation.

4. Using Harsh, Stripping Cleansers

That squeaky-clean feeling after washing? Actually a disaster for mature skin. The tight sensation means you’ve stripped away natural oils your aging skin desperately needs to stay plump and hydrated.

Forty-plus skin produces less sebum naturally, making moisture retention crucial. Harsh soaps with sulfates and high pH levels disrupt your skin barrier, leading to increased sensitivity, redness, and accelerated aging.

Switch to cream, oil, or balm cleansers that clean effectively without the strip-show. Look for words like “hydrating,” “gentle,” or “pH-balanced” on labels. My game-changer was ditching foaming cleansers completely. Now my skin feels comfortable after washing – not desperate for moisture. This simple swap can transform your complexion within weeks.

5. Neglecting Your Neck and Chest

Call me Captain Obvious, but your face doesn’t end at your jawline! The neck and chest show age faster than almost anywhere else, yet most women ignore these areas until they’re sporting the dreaded “tech neck” lines.

Skin on the neck contains fewer oil glands and is thinner than facial skin. Without proper care, it quickly develops crepey texture and horizontal lines. My personal wake-up call came during a video call when I noticed my neck looked a decade older than my face.

Extend all facial products—cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and especially sunscreen—down to your bra line. Consider a dedicated neck cream with peptides or retinol. Treat this area with the same attention you give your face, because nothing gives away your age faster than a well-preserved face sitting atop a neglected neck.

6. Picking and Prodding at Blemishes

Acne after 40? Completely normal thanks to hormonal fluctuations. What’s not normal is treating these adult breakouts like we did as teenagers – by picking, popping, and prodding them into submission.

Mature skin heals much slower than younger skin. That quick squeeze can lead to weeks of healing and permanent scarring or pigmentation. I learned this painful lesson after attacking a chin pimple before an event, only to create a mark that lasted six months.

Instead, spot-treat with ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or sulfur. For hormonal breakouts, consult a dermatologist about prescription options. Pimple patches are also miracle workers for overnight treatment without damaging skin. Remember, that blemish will disappear in days, but picking damage can last forever.

7. Ignoring Proper Hydration (Inside and Out)

Moisturizer alone won’t save dehydrated skin. After 40, our skin’s natural hyaluronic acid levels plummet, making intentional hydration non-negotiable. Dehydration amplifies every line and wrinkle, making you look older instantly.

I used to think oily skin didn’t need extra moisture. Big mistake! Even oily skin becomes dehydrated as we age. My complexion transformed when I finally understood the difference between hydration (water content) and moisture (oil content).

Layer hydrating products containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides under your moisturizer. Drink enough water throughout the day, and consider a humidifier in dry environments. Cut back on dehydrating caffeine and alcohol. The plumping effect of proper hydration can take years off your appearance and create that coveted “glow from within” that no highlighter can truly replicate.

8. Skipping Regular Skin Checkups

Annual skin checks might seem unnecessary if you’re not seeing problems, but this mindset can be dangerous. Skin cancer risk increases with age, and early detection makes all the difference in treatment outcomes.

Beyond cancer screening, dermatologists can spot early signs of issues before they become visible problems. They can also update your skincare routine based on how your skin is changing. My dermatologist caught a suspicious mole I hadn’t even noticed during a routine exam.

Schedule yearly full-body skin checks with a dermatologist, especially if you’ve had significant sun exposure in your life. Between appointments, monitor your skin for any changes in existing moles or new growths. Prevention and early intervention are your best defenses against both skin cancer and premature aging. Don’t wait for problems to become obvious before seeking professional guidance.

9. Using Expired or Oxidized Products

That serum you’ve been rationing for two years? Toss it! Expired products aren’t just ineffective—they can actually harm your skin. Active ingredients break down over time, rendering expensive products useless or even irritating.

Vitamin C serums are particularly notorious for oxidizing quickly. Once they turn yellowish-brown, they’re not only ineffective but potentially damaging. I learned this lesson after wondering why my vitamin C serum suddenly started causing redness instead of brightening.

Check expiration dates and store products properly away from heat and direct sunlight. Write purchase dates on products with a marker if they don’t have clear expiration information. Most opened skincare products last 6-12 months. When in doubt, use your senses—changes in smell, color, or texture are clear signs to discard. Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to mature skin.

10. Avoiding Rich Moisturizers Out of Fear of Breakouts

Many women over 40 still use the same oil-free, lightweight moisturizers from their youth, fearing anything richer will cause breakouts. This outdated thinking leaves mature skin parched and accelerates aging.

Our skin’s oil production decreases dramatically after 40. Those lightweight gels that worked in your 30s simply won’t provide enough nourishment now. My skin completely changed when I finally embraced richer creams with ingredients like peptides, ceramides, and healthy oils.

Gradually introduce more emollient moisturizers, especially for nighttime use. Focus on non-comedogenic formulas if breakouts concern you. Pay attention to how your skin feels after application – tight and dry within hours means you need something richer. Proper moisture supports your skin barrier, actually preventing many types of breakouts while minimizing the appearance of fine lines.