If you’ve recently looked in the mirror and noticed that your skin feels drier, thinner or less resilient than it used to, you’re not imagining it. For many women, the forties are a decade of change, and skin is often one of the first places those changes start to show.

The shifts can feel sudden. Products you’ve always loved no longer feel rich enough. Fine lines appear where there used to be bounce. And makeup doesn’t sit quite as smoothly as it once did. But there’s a reason for all of this, and once you understand what’s going on beneath the surface, it becomes easier to fix.

As a doctor specialising in skin and aesthetics, I see this all the time. These changes are incredibly common. But they don’t have to be inevitable.

The link between hormones and skin changes

Your forties are often the lead-up to perimenopause and menopause, when hormonal fluctuations begin to influence just about everything, including the skin. Oestrogen levels, in particular, start to drop. And this has a profound effect on your skin’s hydration, thickness, and elasticity.

Oestrogen plays a vital role in maintaining the skin’s barrier function and supporting collagen production. As levels decline, you may notice your skin becoming more dehydrated, more sensitive, and less firm. It’s not uncommon to feel like you’ve aged suddenly over just a few months.

Collagen loss also accelerates during this time – by around 30% in the first five years of peri-menopause. That’s a huge shift, and it can lead to the skin looking thinner, more crepey and less supported, especially around the eyes, mouth and jawline.

Why your skincare needs to evolve

The products that served you well in your twenties and thirties may no longer be enough. As the skin’s needs change, so too should your approach to looking after it.

This is the time to focus on products that support barrier health, stimulate collagen, and provide deep, lasting hydration, not just surface moisture. I often recommend ingredients like ceramides and fatty acids to restore the skin barrier, alongside clinically proven actives like retinoids, peptides and hyaluronic acid to address deeper signs of ageing.

Research-backed skincare from brands like SkinBetter Science, Alastin, Revision Skincare and Clinical Skin can make a real difference here. These formulations are backed by research and designed to work with skin at a cellular level, rather than just sitting on top helping skin feel nice.

Treatments that can help restore structure and hydration

If skincare alone isn’t quite getting you the results you want, this is where in-clinic treatments come in. Injectable skinboosters like Profhilo or Sunekos can deeply hydrate and stimulate collagen, improving the plumpness and elasticity of the skin from within.

For skin that feels thin or slack, I often use regenerative injectables like Profhilo Structura or HArmonyCa. These work slightly deeper than traditional skin boosters, helping to rebuild support and stimulate long-term skin strength.

Energy-based treatments such as Sofwave are also excellent tools for tightening the skin and boosting collagen without adding volume. They’re especially useful around the jawline, cheeks and neck, areas that tend to show thinning and laxity first.

The role of biohacking in supporting your skin

As someone passionate about biohacking and longevity, I believe that skin health goes far beyond what we put on it. What’s happening inside your body matters just as much, if not more.

Supporting mitochondrial function, reducing inflammation, and improving nutrient status can all impact how your skin looks and feels. I often work with patients to explore supplements like omega-3s, vitamin D, collagen peptides, or Nuchido Time+ to support cellular health and ageing. Getting enough sleep, managing stress, and maintaining a consistent exercise routine are equally vital.

And if you’re in your forties and starting to notice these changes, now is the time to invest in those habits. The earlier you start, the more impact you’ll see long-term.

You’re not alone, and it’s not too late

It can be disheartening when your skin starts changing in ways that feel out of your control. But the good news is that there are more options than ever to restore, support and enhance your skin, at every age.

Whether it’s switching up your skincare, exploring advanced treatments, or taking a more holistic approach, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best results come from personalised plans built around your skin, your goals and where you are in life right now.

If you’ve noticed your skin starting to feel different and want expert guidance on how to care for it moving forward, I’d love to help. Click here to enquire or to book a consultation where we will explore the best options together.