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Splurge or Save: Skincare for Your 40s and Beyond

21 items

Alexandra Freeman

My most important criteria for skincare is that it just has to work. While I prefer not breaking the bank to get the results I'm after, I will splurge on items if they actually work. This list is dedicated to the best skincare products for women over...

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Sections

Cleansing Balms

Cleansers

Exfoliators

Vitamin C

Moisturizers

Overnight Mask

Cleansing Balms

As I've gotten older, I've found double cleansing to be an amazing way to take care of my more mature 40+ skin. It's a great step to add to your evening skincare routine and really helps get all the ick from the day off your face, including sunscreen...

Love a good double cleanse! With this one, a little goes a long way (value!) and it feels so nice and creamy on. My skin feels so great after using it as the first step in my evening cleanse.

Beauty of Joseon Radiance Cleansing Balm

The first cleansing balm I tried, and I’ve been hooked ever since! This one has a great consistency that melts wonderfully when you rub it between your fingers. Feels wonderful when massaged into your skin!

Super Healthy Skin Hot Oil Double Cleansing Balm | BEAUTY PIE

An amazing cleansing balm, this one feels so good on skin and cleanses so well. Love that's got collagen and is so moisturizing too!

Pro-Collagen Original Cleansing Balm - ELEMIS

Cleansers

Washing the day off is such an important step in any skincare routine. I like these hydrating cleansers that get rid of the gunk without stripping my skin of the moisture it needs.

Such a great drugstore cleanser. So hydrating and easy on sensitive skin. I love this as a creamy, non-foaming cleanser especially when my skin is feeling dry in the winter.

Hydrating Facial Cleanser with Ceramides - Normal to Dry Skin/Sensitive - 12fl oz - up&up™

I love this creamy cleanser for my dry skin. It's very hydrating. Admittedly, I do sometimes miss a good bubbly lather, but I love how this one makes my skin feel more!

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser

Exfoliators

A good exfoliator is a non-negotiable part of any skincare routine. Particularly for women in their 30s and up, it's essential to give your skin that clear, glowing look. They brighten, they refine pores, and they improve texture, what's not to love?

Maybe it was just me, but I think this is the one we all started out with! It still has a place in my cabinet today, even though I tend to go more for chemical exfoliants now. But this one has always been a tried and true option at a great price!

St Ives Fresh Skin Invigorating Apricot Natural Face Scrub 6oz A 11185895

Now THIS is an exfoliator! One of the highest powered ones I've seen on the shelf, I love how this one makes my skin feel and look by the next day. I only use it once a week, however, as it is powerful!

AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening - The Ordinary

One of my all-time holy grail products, I use this every other night as a part of my routine and I have found that it makes my skin glow and my pores look smaller and cleaner, and I just love it! I can’t say enough good things about it. I’ve been usi...

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2pct BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Vitamin C

If you’re looking for anti-aging, brightening, and collagen promoting skincare for mature skin, look no further. Vitamin C serums are an amazing way to amp up your skincare routine and get clear glowing skin. If you want to pull out all the stops, yo...

A new serum I'm trying and so far it has been great! Makes my skin brighter and I love that it has hyaluronic acid and vitamin E as well. Bonus: It comes in a jumbo size!

Naturium Vitamin C Complex Serum

I love a good vitamin C serum and this one does not disappoint. Yes, ok, it has a bit of the usual vitamin c serum smell, but it really made my skin look brighter and glow.

Maelove Glow Maker Vitamin C Serum

The ultimate in Vitamin C serum splurges! It naturally boosts collagen and protects against the environment while improving the look of fine lines and wrinkles. What’s not to love?! Ok the smell. Vitamin C serums always seem to smell but when they he...

C E Ferulic® with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid - SERUMS

Moisturizers

In my opinion, one of the most essential steps in any 30s and 40s skincare routine, especially during the winter months when it gets so dry outside. As a WFH-SAHM, there are days when I moisturize all day long, every time I go into the bathroom! No m...

This is my daily go-to for a lightweight moisturizer. It goes on smoothly, absorbs easily, and feels fantastic. It's especially great for hot weather climates when you don't want anything too heavy.

12.0 oz Daily Moisturizing Lotion - CeraVe | Ulta Beauty

Love this lightweight lotion! I use it most days when I just need a bit of moisture and then go about my day. Light and creamy, it feels great on!

Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Moisture Lotion

Overnight Mask

I love an overnight mask, especially if I've done applied a high-powered exfoliator as part of my nighttime skincare routine. I slather on my moisturizer and then add one of these on top. They just give my skin a bit of extra and lock in the moisturi...

If you like to peel burned skin and also want super glass skin in the morning, this one is for you! You slather it on at night, let it dry and then peel it off in the morning. I don't know what's more satisfying - the peeling, or the look of my skin!

medicube Wrapping Mask Collagen Overnight

If you’re not a fan of peeling off masks, this one is for you! It’s creamy, super hydrating and soaks in overnight. Also great to take on a long flight to keep your skin glowing at 30,000 feet!

Moisture Surge™ Overnight Face Mask

Eyelashes

Because everyone deserves beautiful lashes, not just kids! These two serums have been game changers for my lashes. The Rodan + Fields is truly amazing. I had to switch to using every other day as it almost felt like too much! If you're just starting ...

I tried this one when my splurge budget was a little on the low side, at the recommendation of a friend, and it has not disappointed! It's got similar ingredients to the splurge and my lashes look great!

GrandeLASH-MD Lash Enhancing Serum - Grande Cosmetics

So expensive but my goodness so effective! One of those things you just pray you didn’t splurge on and have nothing to show for it, this serum has been a treat to myself over the past few years. After wearing a sleep eye mask for years because of dry...

Rodan and Fields Lash Boost Serum

Sunscreen

Growing up in the Midwest, I never thought too much about sunscreen. Not just because I was young, but also because summer is only really about 3 months long. Fast forward to now when I live in Texas and I'm obsessive about applying sunscreen daily -...

Run, don't walk to Trader Joe's for this one. It is such a great dupe for the splurge! It does have slightly less SPF protection, but for a daily sunscreen it's a great choice!

Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 - Trader Joe's

This is such a great sunscreen! It feels so good on and doesn't give you that gross sticky, shiny appearance that most sunscreens leave behind.

Supergoop! New Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50

I love a good sunscreen-lotion duo and this one fits the bill perfectly! It smells great, feels great on, doesn't break the bank, and covers my need for sunscreen in the Texas summers!

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Lotion

Anything that makes my life easier is a win in my book and this sunscreen lotion from Supergoop doesn't disappoint. It smells great, feels good on, and covers two steps in one - lotion and a daily SPF 50.

Supergoop! PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50 Sunscreen