Exactly How Your Skin Changes in Your 40s, 50s, and 60s

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Skin is the most visible marker of aging.¹ The signs may be noticeable as early as your 20s, but the biggest changes typically happen in your 40s, 50s, and 60s.² And while some causes can’t be helped—the intrinsic deterioration of your skin cells over time—how you live your life, from the amount of time you spend in the sun to how much you drink to your stress levels, is reflected in your skin.^3–6

Of course, no two people are alike. Genetics, environment, skin type, and hormone changes all affect maturing skin and how it ages.^7–9 “We all go through the same aging process, but we go through it at different times and in different periods of our lives,” Tomi Lee Wall, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in lasers, tells SELF. “Every person is different.”

It’s up to you how you respond to these changes, but if you’re curious about understanding the signs of maturing skin and managing its health, we’ve compiled a guide to help you prepare. Spoiler: Building mindful lifestyle habits now means healthier skin in the future.

How does your skin change in your 40s?

Your 40s are a transitional time, when your skin’s levels of collagen—a protein that makes up much of our skin and other connective tissue—drop, and its texture and color take on new characteristics.¹⁰ As a result, you might begin to notice thinner, saggier skin; hyperpigmentation; or wrinkles—all trends that will continue into your 50s, 60s, and beyond.¹¹

Cumulative sun damage and exposure over the years accelerates skin aging.^12. People with fairer skin—or people on the lower end of the Fitzpatrick scale, which classifies skin by its reaction to exposure to sunlight—are more likely to show signs of aging sooner.¹³ In a 2017 study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, white women reported seeing forehead lines, crow’s feet, and puffiness under the eyes in their 40s; Black women didn’t note the same signs of facial aging until their 50s.¹⁴

“Skin type and skin tone play an important role in the types of changes one experiences with aging,” Connie Yang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at PFRANKMD by Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank in New York City, tells SELF. “Lighter skin types containing less melanin tend to experience more photodamage from UV rays and experience fine lines, wrinkles, and sunspots earlier in life.” On the other hand, she says, “darker skin tones are more prone to hyperpigmentation, which includes dark spots, melasma, and uneven skin tone.”

During their late 30s to mid-40s, people with ovaries may also enter perimenopause, the transitional stage of menopause. The lower amounts of estrogen that follow further reduce your skin’s collagen levels, as well as its ability to retain ceramides—lipids that help to maintain your skin’s moisture levels—which can lead to dryer, rougher skin.^{15, 16} The lower collagen production, combined with slower cell turnover, makes your skin more vulnerable to free radical damage, which also makes it look older.^{17, 18} Aging skin can also develop dark spots, known as lentigines, or growths—seborrheic keratosis—and, occasionally, skin cancers.¹⁹

If you’re looking to minimize signs of aging in your 40s, you might start thinking about procedures like laser treatments and chemical peels, which can boost your collagen production, but the best place to start is with the rest of your body, according to Dr. Wall. ^{20, 21} You’ll want to get enough sleep to allow your body to regenerate your skin cells; eat foods rich in antioxidants to supply your skin with nutrients that protects against UV radiation; and minimize stress to keep your cortisol levels low, too much of which can lead to increased oil production that clogs pores and leads to inflammation and acne (which is also why you’ll want to leave behind some of of the other skin care habits you’ve picked up earlier in life, like sleeping in your makeup, says Dr. Wall).^22–24

When it comes to actual skin care products, “it’s important to choose them based on your specific skin type, concerns, and goals,” Dr. Yang says. “Discussing this with a dermatologist and creating a customized plan can be incredibly helpful.”

Because photodamage from UV rays is the primary cause of visibly aged skin, Dr. Wall recommends limiting your sun exposure and using a sunscreen with titanium, zinc, and iron oxide, which protects against UV rays.²⁵ Additionally, you’ll want to consider a topical antioxidant like vitamin C, which further protects against sun damage.^{26, 27} (And, ideally, you’ll have started doing both of these things in your 30s—before picking up the sun damage in the first place.)

Perimenopause is an ideal time to boost your collagen production before the sharp decline that takes place after menopause.²⁸ In addition to any chemical peels and laser treatments you might consider, Dr. Wall and Dr. Yang both recommend using a quality retinol. “Collagen production starts to decline in our late 20s to early 30s and cell turnover begins to slow, which can lead to uneven texture and dull-appearing skin,” Dr. Yang says. “Retinoids can address both of these concerns by accelerating cell turnover and stimulating collagen production to help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help with uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.”²⁹ Some research also suggests certain collagen peptides may increase collagen and elastic fiber. ³⁰

If you’re looking to treat dark spots, vitamin C also helps there—besides protecting from sun damage, it can also smooth out hyperpigmentation. Other ingredients you could incorporate into your skin routine to target discoloration include tranexamic acid, hydroquinone, and kojic acid.^31—34

How does your skin change in your 50s?

As you age, your body’s ability to replenish collagen decreases by about 1% every year.³⁵ In the first five years after menopause, because of the loss of estrogen, however, a person’s collagen levels can decrease as much as 30%—resulting in even thinner, dryer, rougher skin³⁶, and more visible wrinkles across all skin types. This makes your 50s a great time to upgrade your skin care routine to boost your collagen levels if you haven’t already.

As your skin becomes thinner from collagen loss, it also becomes more fragile, so you may want to be more mindful about caring for it beyond your face—your neck, chest, hands, or any other parts that are frequently exposed to sunlight.

You may begin to notice some hair loss or thinning on your scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. By age 49, more than 25% of women will have noticeable hair thinning or loss, according to a review in International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. (By 79, it’s more than half.) It’s thought that as estrogen levels have fallen and testosterone levels rise, hair follicles shrink and become less dense.³⁷

How does your skin change in your 60s?

Surprise—your skin continues to become thinner and more fragile as you move into your 60s.³⁸ “The older you get, the more your skin barrier starts to get compromised,” Dr. Wall says. “The mortar that glues the skin together starts to get a little bit cracked, so making sure that you hydrate and moisturize a lot more in your 60s is important.”

Ceramides and other lipids comprise that mortar, so you’ll want to use a moisturizer with ceramides to restore your skin barrier.^{39, 40} Additionally, to boost your skin’s hydration, consider also using a humidifier, as well as products with hyaluronic acid to reduce dryness and itchiness.⁴¹ (Also, stick with fragrance-free topicals to lower the risk of irritation.) And of course, with lower-than-ever collagen levels, you’ll want to continue trying to boost your production, perhaps with collagen peptides, as well as collagen growth factors.⁴³ Be mindful, as well, of any drugs you might be taking at this point that can contribute to skin dryness, such as statins or blood pressure medication.

With thinner skin, bruising also becomes a more prominent concern; thinner skin simply bruises more easily.⁴⁴ On top of that, certain medications and steroid creams you may be on can also affect the tissue connecting skin cells, making your skin thinner still—and thus more prone to bruising, which is why it’s important to be aware of what you’re putting into your body and on your skin. Limiting your sun exposure and using sunscreen frequently to slow the aging and thinning process remains paramount, but staying hydrated to maintain skin flexibility and eating a diet rich in vitamin E, which contains fats that keep skin supple, can also help reduce bruising.^{45, 46}

Finally, remember it’s never too late to address your skin concerns. “A proper skin care routine can address specific concerns associated with aging and help maintain healthy, radiant skin,” Dr. Yang says. But “aging is a natural process that should be embraced. By approaching it with self-compassion and adapting our skin care practices to evolving needs, we can embrace the beauty of aging.”

These changes might seem overwhelming at first, but also they’re a valuable reminder to invest in your skin and its well-being. This means, in addition to an everyday skin care routine—one that includes a moisturizer, an effective SPF, and potentially more active products like antioxidants and a retinol—going to a dermatologist to be screened for skin cancer and doing self-exams in between visits.

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