Copyright New York Magazine
Welcome to Wrinkles Week on the Strategist, where we’re deeply vetting skin-care solutions for anyone looking to smooth fine lines and wrinkles (or prevent their showing up in the first place). For more, head to our Wrinkles Week hub. This is the decade of your 25th high-school reunion, when you’ll hear yourself saying, “Oh my God, you look exactly the same,” in earnest, to some former classmates. And others? You’ll draw a complete blank. They’re utterly unrecognizable even though you sat next to them every day in Earth Science. We all age differently, and our behaviors of the past, and present, dictate how old we look. Of course, genes play a role: If your mom has aged more aggressively than you’d like, then sure, you’ve got a tougher hill to climb. But 80 percent of skin aging is due to external factors like UV exposure, diet, exercise, and stress levels, leaving just 20 percent for the luck of the DNA draw. And while some damage has already been done, there’s enough great skin care out there to help you resemble your yearbook photo. We spoke to a cadre of New York–based doctors for their counsel. All recommended time-tested, often clinically validated skin-care solutions (no shade, bone broth). Select your 40s skin archetype below to figure out the key skin-care products for you. We’re proud of you for stepping away from the tanning bed. But now the work begins. Read more: The Products You Need If You’re a Reformed Sun Worshipper Congratulations, but damn, we know you’re tired. Read more: The Products You Need If You’re a New Mom Don’t panic. We can get it under control. Read more: The Products You Need If You’re Getting Acne for the First Time It’s about moisture, moisture, and more moisture. Read more: The Products You Need If You’re in Perimenopause Try to maintain your routine. If you can’t, mask. Read more: The Products You Need If You’re Traveling All the Time Let’s try to build some collagen. Read more: The Products You Need If You’re on a GLP-1 Try a relaxing nighttime skin-care routine. Read more: The Products You Need If You’re Stressed Out and Sleepless More From Fourtysomething Skin Week
