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The skin is the most obvious sign of aging.1 You may notice the signs as early 20s. However, most of the changes occur between 40s 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
No two people are the same. Genetics, environmental factors, skin types, and hormonal fluctuations all influence the maturing and aging of skin.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 Alert: By establishing mindful lifestyles now, you can look forward to healthier skin.
What happens to your skin in your 40s years?
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
The cumulative effects of sun exposure and damage over time accelerate 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 A 2017 study published by 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 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.”