Most anti-ageing skincare is unnecessary. According to a leading aesthetic doctor, these three products can help protect collagen, reduce visible ageing and keep your skin looking healthier for longer
Taking care of your skin isn’t about trying to look 21 again. It’s about looking healthy, feeling confident and accepting that ageing is inevitable – while doing what you can to age well.
The challenge is that many of the visible signs of ageing don’t appear overnight. Fine lines around the eyes, dark sunspots, dryness, dehydration and loss of firmness are often the result of changes that have been happening beneath the surface for decades.
One of the biggest drivers is collagen loss. From around the age of 20, we lose roughly one per cent of our collagen each year, so by the time you reach your forties, those gradual changes can become far more noticeable. Skin may feel drier, appear less firm and lose some of the plumpness and elasticity it once had.
“Many men suddenly notice deeper lines around the eyes, a less defined jawline, uneven pigmentation or skin that simply looks more tired than it used to,” says medical aesthetic doctor, Dr David Jack. “The good news is that it is never too late to start looking after your skin. A consistent skincare routine in your forties can have a huge impact on how your skin looks over the following decade, and beyond. While prevention is always easier than correction, a simple, consistent routine can help support healthier-looking skin at any age.”
The Only Three Skincare Products Men Over 40 Really Need
You don’t need a bathroom cabinet full of expensive lotions and potions to see results. According to Dr Jack, the focus should be on preserving collagen, protecting against further damage and supporting the skin’s natural repair mechanisms. That’s where these three skincare products come in. Here is what he recommends:
Vitamin C
Your mum was right: start your morning routine with a good wash (we recommend Cellis Everyday microfibre cleansing cloths), followed by a Vitamin C serum or moisturiser.
Vitamin C is one of the most effective skincare ingredients for men over 40 because it tackles several common signs of ageing at once.
As a powerful antioxidant, it helps neutralise free radicals generated by UV exposure, pollution and other environmental stressors that can accelerate skin ageing. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, helping to calm the skin while promoting a brighter, more even complexion.
“Vitamin C is one of the best-studied skincare ingredients available,” says Dr Jack. “It acts as a powerful antioxidant and also plays a direct role in collagen production – something that becomes increasingly important as natural collagen levels begin to decline with age.’
Vitamin C also helps support healthy skin cell turnover, encouraging the skin to shed dull, dry surface cells more efficiently and leaving the complexion looking fresher and more radiant.
Dr Jack recommends applying a Vitamin C serum every morning. “Consistent use can help improve skin brightness, support collagen production and reduce the appearance of uneven pigmentation over time,” he says.
Applied first thing in the morning, it helps prepare your skin for everything it will face throughout the day while providing an extra layer of defence against environmental damage.
TRY: Dr Perricone Vitamin C Brightening Serum, £61
2. SPF 50
After applying your Vitamin C, follow with a broad-spectrum SPF 50 before heading out the door. It might not be the most exciting step in your routine (especially if you’re not on holiday), but it is arguably the most important.
While sunshine feels great, cumulative UV exposure is one of the biggest drivers of skin ageing. In fact, “up to 80 per cent of visible facial ageing is estimated to be related to cumulative UV exposure,” says Dr Jack.
“Sunlight drives collagen breakdown, pigmentation, redness and many of the textural changes we associate with ageing,” he explains. And it’s not just long days spent in the sun that matter. Whether you’re commuting, sitting by a window or getting some steps in, your skin is exposed to UV radiation every day – yes, even on cloudy days.
It’s one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to help prevent fine lines, pigmentation and premature ageing while protecting your long-term skin health, come rain or shine.
TRY: Revision Intellishade TryPhysical Clear SPF50
3. Retinoid
“For most men over 40, the third product I would add is a vitamin A derivative, referred to as a retinoid,” says Dr Jack. “This is probably the closest thing we have in skincare to a multi-tasking anti-ageing ingredient.”
“Retinoids encourage collagen production, improve cell turnover, soften fine lines, refine skin texture and help create a more even skin tone by helping to regulate pigment production,” explains Dr Jack. “Supported by decades of scientific research, they remain one of the most effective ingredients we have for healthier-looking skin.”
Regular use, particularly at night, may also improve the appearance of old acne scars and help reduce visible signs of sun damage, including dark spots, age spots and uneven skin tone.
Dr Jack recommends using a retinoid in the evening. “For those new to vitamin A, start slowly by using it a few nights per week and gradually increase the frequency to help minimise irritation,” he says.
TRY: Dr David Jack Good Night, £120
Age Well: Consistency Is Key
And the best skincare advice for men over 40? Like most things in life, you need to keep it simple and to stay consistent.
No skincare product will work miracles overnight, but daily care can make a significant difference over time. “When it comes to healthy ageing, like everything, consistency is key,” says Dr Jack. “Daily care ensures lasting results.”
It’s also important to listen to your skin and adjust your routine based on factors such as sleep, stress, travel, seasonal changes and any treatments you’re having.
Remember, great skin isn’t just about what you put on it. Sleep, nutrition, hydration and stress management all play an important role in how your skin looks and functions.
For those looking to go a step further, a red light therapy device such as the Silk’n LED Face Mask Pro (£259) can help support clearer, smoother and more even-looking skin from home. The mask uses targeted wavelengths of light that penetrate the skin at different depths to help address concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, redness and pigmentation.
Used regularly, it offers a convenient way to incorporate a clinic-inspired treatment into your routine – and the best part? Just 20 minutes a day is enough.
