How to update your skincare routine in midlife with the monthly beauty box from TOYL

Once we move from our 30s and into our 40s (and beyond), the skincare routine we have always relied upon, doesn't work quite as well as it did, it might not be an overnight change, but a gradual shifting of how we feel about our skin.  With hormone levels up and down (especially post 45), collagen reducing, and varying lifestyle factors all playing a role, our midlife skin needs different care to the one we got used to.  I don't believe we need specific skincare, I am not convinced by the surge of targeted menopause products but there are skincare ingredients that we should be paying more attention to. 

​My simple guide will help you understand what skin changes might occur in midlife and how to find the right skincare products to give you the best results.

This blog post contains an affiliate link and a special offer from TOYL, the beauty box for women over 40.

Skincare tips in midlife

Understand why your skincare routine needs updating after 40

Changes to our skin in midlife is completely normal but adapting your routine and choosing nourishing, targeted products that support your long-term skin health is essential for mature skin. Take your time, experiment, try different options, get advice from a good facialist and remember to continually tweak with each new decade. 

A few changes to look out for might include:

Age spots, dark (sun) spots and uneven skin tone
Most discolouration over 40 is sun-led pigmentation. Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30+ daily and add a brightening serum (i.e. a Vitamin C serum) to even tone. A gentle weekly exfoliant plus a night retinol can help fade marks over time.

Dry skin and dehydration
Midlife skin often makes less oil and loses water more easily. Switch to a mild cleanser (cream is best), then layer a hyaluronic acid under a ceramide moisturiser; and seal in at bedtime with a richer night cream or a few drops of skin oil. Avoid over-exfoliating and very hot water to protect your skin barrier.

Pore size and enlarged pores
Minimise the look of your pores by keeping them clear. Use a gentle salicylic acid, to exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog pores by dissolving excess oil and sebum, and reduce inflammation associated with acne and blackheads, a few times a week.  Pair with niacinamide for refined texture and consider a low-strength retinol at night. Your daily SPF prevents sun damage that can make pores appear larger.

Fine lines and wrinkles
Think protect, renew and plump! SPF is your best anti-ageing friend and at night, a retinol supports collagen and encourages a smoother texture. By day, peptides and hyaluronic acid add bounce, while a nourishing moisturiser softens lines (especially around eyes and lips), gently apply a good quality eye cream too, ideally have one for day and one for night.

Excess oil
Hormone shifts can bring unexpected shine. Use a gentle gel cleanser, a BHA toner or serum and niacinamide (2–5%) to balance sebum. Choose lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturisers and a mineral or gel SPF; blotting papers beat over-cleansing, which can trigger more oil.

Dead skin cells
Cell turnover slows after 40, so skin can look dull. Swap gritty scrubs for chemical exfoliants 1–3 times weekly (like the one in the September TOYL box): lactic or mandelic acid (gentle) or PHA for sensitive skin. Always follow with a moisturiser and SPF; consistency brings back glow without compromising your barrier.

What are the essentials in my midlife skincare routine?

Prioritise hyydration
Midlife skin benefits from richer moisturisers to replenish and protect. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which lock in moisture and strengthen the skin barrier. Switching to a cream cleanser rather than a foaming one can also help prevent dryness.

Double cleanse at night
The first cleanse at night lifts SPF, makeup and pollution, the second actually cleans the skin so your serums work.

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Double cleanse - step 1
Apply a 10p coin size of cream cleanser to a dry face.
Massage for 60-90 seconds (hairline, jaw, around nose, over lashes).
Splash a little water to loosen, then rinse or remove with a damp, lukewarm soft face cloth.

Double cleanse - step 2 
Apply a pea to almond amount again to damp face.
Massage for 30-60 seconds.
Rinse thoroughly, pat dry - avoid rubbing.

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Daily SPF Protection
No skincare routine is complete without SPF. UV damage is the fastest route to premature ageing, so a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ should be non-negotiable. Apply it every morning, even when the sun isn’t shining.  This will ensure you protect your delicate facial skin from skin cancer and dark spots.

Add targeted treatments
Updating your midlife skincare routine is also about introducing products that target specific concerns. Retinol will encourage cell renewal and improve texture, while Vitamin C can brighten skin and even tone. Introduce new products gradually and see how your skin responds.
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Refresh your makeup alongside skincare
Midlife beauty isn’t just about skincare, makeup plays a role too. Switching to lighter foundations, adding a cream blush for a natural glow, and defining your brows can all help lift and freshen your look.

A few hero skincare products to look out for

Vitamin C is an an amazing antioxidant, which helps defend against free radicals (the unstable atoms that can damage cells and can age us prematurely) and using it topically can help defend against environmental aggressors that affect the surface of the skin.

A ceramide moisturiser is a skincare product containing ceramides, which are naturally occurring lipids that help form the skin's protective barrier, keeping moisture in and irritants out. These moisturisers work by replenishing the skin's natural ceramide levels, which deplete with age or environmental factors, leading to a stronger, more hydrated, and smoother skin barrier. 

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar molecule that acts as a potent hydrator for the skin, attracting and retaining water to plump, firm and smooth the complexion. It is a powerful anti-ageing ingredient because it boosts skin elasticity, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and helps protect against free radicals.

Retinol is an over-the-counter ingredient derived from Vitamin A that speeds up cell renewal, boosts collagen production, and helps improve skin concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, acne and uneven skin tone.

Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3, benefits skin by strengthening the skin barrier, reducing oil production, minimising pores and redness, improving uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation and softening fine lines and wrinkles.

Discover the right products without the overwhelm

It can feel daunting (and expensive) to know which products are worth investing in. Curated beauty boxes are a smart way to try new, full-size products without the trial and error.

TOYL is a beauty box created especially for women in midlife, not just menopause, but focused on beauty that works better for skin as it changes (hormones, collagen, elasticity, hydration). It aims to help women transition from the products they used in their 30s to what really works now.
 
The TOYL monthly beauty box is £39.99 for £100+ worth of products, and this autumn they've added a superb offer:

• New subscribers get 21 days to trial their first box.
• If you don’t love it, return it (yes even opened products) (TOYL cover the postage), get a full refund, and your subscription is cancelled.
• If you stay, your second box will include a bonus product worth £70.

And if you use my code FAB on your first order, you will receive a free Hand Serum!

TOYL is unique because it’s midlife-specific, no contract, pause/cancel anytime, and has over 1,500 five-star reviews from women just like us.

A simple way to update your routine and discover new favourites before investing!

To find out more and discover the TOYL beauty box for women over 40, take a look here!

The beauty box for women over 40 - The TOYL Original box for November

Updating your skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated. A few thoughtful swaps can transform how your skin looks and feels, helping you face midlife with confidence.

If you’d like more tips on beauty, fashion and lifestyle for women over 40 and 50, follow me on Instagram or sign-up for my regular email updates.

Hero products from TOYL to supercharge your midlife skincare routine

What's in the TOYL beauty box this month?

The TOYL Original box in November features £119 worth of amazing products, all the luxurious rituals you need for a winter glow up!  Winter can leave skin and hair looking dull and dry but if you start early you can brings radiance and nourishment back.

Kate Somerville Mega C 30% Brightening Facial - an award winning treatment (the RRP on this alone is £67), it gives a mega dose of Vitamin C to strengthen your skin for a stunning complexion.  Cleanse, then apply a thin, even layer on dry skin.  Allow the product to sit on skin for 20 minutes, then wash off - repeat cleansing if required then apply your normal moisturiser.  Use with SPF 1-2 times per week.  I tried this last night - it feels fabulous on the skin and smells divine.

Pureology Hydrate Super Deep Treatment Hair Mask - I love Pureology products, and this intensive, rich, deep-treatment mask is amazing, apply a small amount (you don't need much) to shampooed hair and work from mid-length to ends, gently massage, wait for 5 minutes then follow with shampoo and conditioner.

Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate (ABC) - this was recommended by my lovely hairdresser Joe Price Stylist just recently  - Redken is a powerhouse of a name in hair care and this one is superb.  Apply to clean, damp hair. leave in, do not rinse and style as usual.  Redken say 'combat one year of visible damage in one use' wow!  It provides heat protection up to 230 degrees and that is exactly what I need!

Technic Eye Canvas Eye Shadow Base - last but not least - this small box is a super primer for eyes and one you didn't know you needed.  I've been using an eyeshadow base for years and am a real convert.  Apply a small amount to cover your eyelid, I use a brush, let it dry then apply your eyeshadow.  It's an essential for cutting the crease, carving your brow, brightening under your eyes and the medium shade gives a warm, natural look.

Get a free hand serum with your first order from TOYL

Free bonus product for new subscribers using my code

Use my code FAB on your first order, you will receive a free Hand Serum from BEAUTYPRO, this hydrating hand serum for dry skin will revitalise dry, cracked hands, it is infused with watermelon, pomegranate and kiwi to deeply hydrate, soothe and protect your skin especially during the colder winter months.

Enoy!
Love from
Michelle xx


​Disclaimer: this blog post contains an affiliate link.