Dry, Saggy, Dull Skin? 3 Skincare Habits You Need to Quit After 40
Some habits may seem helpful—but they could be making your skin worse. Discover the top 3 common mistakes in mature skincare routines and how to correct them.
As we age, our skin doesn’t just “get older”—it changes in how it functions, repairs, and responds.
If you’re 40 or beyond and noticing that your skin feels dryer, looks less firm, or seems dull no matter what you apply, you’re not alone.
And the issue might not be age—it might be your habits.
Let’s explore 3 common skincare habits that could be accelerating your skin aging, and what you can do to actually support it from the inside out.
1. Over-cleansing or using harsh cleansers
Many people believe that clean skin = healthy skin. But for mature skin, stripping away too many natural oils or disturbing the skin barrier can lead to tightness, dryness, and more visible lines.
Why it’s bad:
Your skin’s protective layer becomes thinner and more fragile with age. Harsh cleansers, especially those with sulfates or alcohols, can damage this barrier and trigger inflammation or sensitivity.
Do this instead:
Use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser no more than twice a day, and avoid foaming types that leave skin feeling “squeaky clean.” Think: soft, not stripped.
2. Layering too many actives without understanding your skin’s needs
Retinol, AHAs, peptides, vitamin C… sound familiar? These ingredients can be helpful—but mixing them blindly, or using them at high concentrations, can overwhelm mature skin and actually reduce cellular responsiveness.
Why it’s bad:
After 40, the skin’s ability to repair and detoxify slows down—partly due to internal changes like S.E.H.I.™ functional decline (a process related to weakened hydroxylation, which affects collagen building and antioxidant defense). Overstimulating the surface doesn’t fix the problem if your skin cells aren’t responding properly anymore.
Do this instead:
Focus on smart, simplified routines with formulas that support cellular function, not just surface exfoliation. (💡 Our personalized skincare test can help identify what your skin truly needs based on internal stressors, not just symptoms.)
3. Treating skin aging as a surface issue
Moisturizing more. Applying thicker creams. Using another anti-aging serum. These approaches can help temporarily, but they don’t address why the skin is aging faster—especially under modern stress and pollution.
Why it’s bad:
External aging signs often start from internal triggers: chronic stress, pollution, oxidative overload, and reduced skin cell communication. Topicals can only go so far unless you support the skin’s core functionality.
Do this instead:
Think deeper. Choose routines or products that support skin from the root, not just the surface. For example, boosting your skin’s ability to produce and process collagen, antioxidants, and moisture naturally—not just adding more on top.
How to Know What Your Skin Actually Needs?
Everyone’s aging path is different. That’s why we created a science-based, AI-powered skin test that helps you understand your skin’s internal stressors, not just what you see in the mirror.
✅ Personalized to your age, environment, stress levels, and more
✅ Backed by science—especially for 40+ skin
✅ Takes just 2 minutes to complete