Oh, the age of perimenopause and beyond. If it were just the retirement of our period, that would be great. But other unexpected gifts come with the package – sleep disturbances, mood swings (Though I had it with PMS, too), brain fog, and, of course, changes in our skin. If you are trying to figure out how to hydrate skin at 40+, keep reading. This is for you.

The Biggest Mistake When Learning How to Hydrate Skin at 40+

One of the biggest mistakes I have noticed women making is neglecting the exfoliation process. This is a crucial step in your skincare routine. Dryness may be a symptom of your moisturizer not efficiently doing its job. An exfoliator is designed to remove dead skin and unclog pores. Skipping this step makes it difficult for all the other skincare products to perform at their ultimate capacity.

My two favorite exfoliators are:

• Royal Revitalize Volcanic Micro-Polish Mask (Targets dryness, dullness, uneven texture, and uneven skin tone)
• Jafra Skin Pumpkin Mask (Targets impurities and skin imperfections)

How to use an exfoliator

• Cleanse skin
• Evenly apply exfoliator to dampened skin
• Leave on 15–20 minutes (TIP: for sensitive skin, leave on for 3–5 minutes. Over time, work your way to 15–20. I’ve exfoliated for decades, so it’s fine for me to have it on for an hour or more.)
• Apply a warm cloth to your face for 10 seconds. Then remove the mask. This step helps loosen the mask and aids its removal.
• Rinse with lots of water (perfect if you’re in the shower) or follow up with a toner like Royal Revitalize Toning Essence. This ensures that all the granules are removed.
• Follow up with a hydrating serum and moisturizer.
• Use 1 – 2 times weekly

(By the way, please exfoliate your body, too. Ginger & Sea Salt Body Rub from the JAFRA SPA line is my favorite. I have tried many brands. Nothing compares to it.)

Hydration Masks

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Let me answer that for you. No, exfoliators and masks are not the same. Each has its own function. Think of it as a math equation (I hope that didn’t trigger high school stress. Math was not my best subject):

Exfoliator = Subtraction (it takes away from the skin)

Mask = Addition (it adds to the skin)

Look for a mask that adds hydration, like the JAFRA SPA Mud Mask. The hydrating ingredients condition the face and body. You can use this as your total body mask. Think day spa at home. It reveals smoother, radiant skin.

Follow the same steps noted above for exfoliation use.

Skincare Magic

The magic of skincare truly is the serum. Your cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen are what maintain your skin. If you want to reverse visible signs of aging and do skin corrections, you will want to add a serum. How to hydrate your skin at 40+? Use a serum that floods the skin with hydration. This will aid in the perimenopause skin changes.

Reality Check: We’re Not in Our 20s

Is this a harsh reality? I think not. We already know this. But sometimes, we get stuck with the same habits we had decades ago. By now, our eating, exercise, and sleeping habits should have upgraded. The same is true for our skin. At 20, our skin really just needed to be maintained. But… if you have 20-year-olds in your life, please encourage them to, at least occasionally, add serums, exfoliators, and masks. Sunscreen is crucial at all ages. The effects of not using these will catch up more quickly than they realize. Am I right? At 40+, we know.

At our age, we need products that address more concerns – like moderate or advanced aging. Picking up products at your local drugstore just doesn’t deliver the same results when we’ve had a few birthdays. My recommendation, take the Skincare Quiz. If you are trying to figure out how to hydrate skin at 40+, you will want a regimen that is personalized for you. You need a hydrating skincare routine for mature skin. We’re not trying to go back in time. We’re correcting dry skin after 40.

---

Purple Essence By Evelyn — your partner in aging well.

In partnership with Jafra and dōTERRA.

Continue Your Aging-Well Journey

Before you go…
If you’d love simple, practical tips for aging well, along with special offers and invitations to aging-well events — I’d love to stay connected.

✨ When you subscribe, you’ll receive my Simple Self-Care Routine handout, weekly aging-well tips for women over 40 and my latest blog posts delivered straight to your inbox. Add your email below and let’s continue aging well together.