Are You Wasting Money on Skincare? Here’s What Actually Works at 40+

Emalene Grove
Jul 1
2 min read

Updated: Jul 16

The real reason your products aren’t delivering results, and what to do instead.

A woman having a facial treatment at You Salon in Billericay, Essex

Let’s start with the uncomfortable truth

Most women over 40 are investing more in skincare than ever before, and seeing less in return.

Your skin is changing. Your products aren’t keeping up.

And the marketing is getting smarter, using phrases like “clinical results,” “peptides,” and “skin barrier” to convince you to buy yet another cream that promises everything and delivers very little.

So if your shelf is full but your skin still feels dull, dry, or just off, you’re not imagining it.

Why your skin stops responding after 40

As you move through perimenopause and beyond, several key changes happen beneath the surface:

Collagen and elastin decline: This leads to visible sagging and fine lines.
Cell turnover slows down: Meaning more dead skin cells sitting on the surface.
Hydration levels drop: You may feel dry, flaky, or tight, even if you were oily before.
Hormonal imbalances: These can trigger sensitivity, breakouts, or pigmentation.

These changes are driven by biology, not bad habits. But they do mean your skincare needs to evolve.

The problem with “one-size-fits-all” products

The beauty industry thrives on trends: slugging, skin cycling, 10-step routines. But your skin doesn’t need the latest viral hack. It needs strategic support, tailored to where you are now.

Take retinol. A powerhouse ingredient, yes. But not everyone tolerates it, and not all forms are created equal.

Or hyaluronic acid.

Amazing for hydration, but useless if your skin barrier is compromised or the molecule size is wrong.

This is where most routines fail. They stack products without any real understanding of what your skin can actually absorb, tolerate, or benefit from.

So, what does work after 40?

The answer isn’t more steps. It’s better strategy.

At You., we take a different approach. One that considers your skin as a whole system, not a list of symptoms.

Your personalised programme may include:

ContourMax: To target collagen loss and lift without surgery
SkinTight + Sculpt Lift: To tone muscles, stimulate fibroblasts, and firm facial contours
Microneedling with PRP or Skin Boosters: To improve texture, tone, and hydration
Fractional Plasma®: For more intensive resurfacing if pigmentation or deep lines are present

But treatments are only half the picture.

Your skincare should work with your treatments, not against them

That’s why we prescribe skincare as part of your transformation. Not just hand you a product list.

Your routine will be:

Stripped back but effective: No noise, no fluff, just what your skin actually needs
Tailored to your treatments: So you’re not undoing the results at home
Reviewed every cycle: Because your skin will change, and your routine should adapt with it