Is your skin changing after 40?
If this feels familiar, you’re not alone.
It’s surprisingly common to experience dryness, oiliness, redness, and breakouts at the same time well into adulthood. I certainly did.
This is what I learned while trying to understand my own changing skin, and why that journey ultimately led me to create Love and Light Botanicals.
Why this became personal for me
I founded Love and Light Botanicals as I turned 40. One of my strongest motivations was helping others navigate new and often confusing skin changes that can show up during this stage of life.
As I approached 40, my skin felt increasingly unpredictable. Products that once worked no longer did. I remember thinking, I can’t be the only one going through this. Finding skincare that felt supportive rather than disruptive became a frustrating and expensive process.
That experience pushed me to dig deeper into ingredients, formulation, and what skin truly needs as it changes.
Lesson 1: ingredients matter, more than ever.
As skin changes with age, it often becomes less tolerant of aggressive ingredients and long ingredient lists.
Through research and personal experience, I learned that plant-based, botanical active ingredients tend to be gentler on the skin than many synthetic alternatives, especially when formulas are designed for long shelf lives and mass production. [1]
Even products recommended for mature skin left my skin feeling irritated, reactive, and more prone to breakouts. This sensitivity became the catalyst for developing high-performance skincare built around botanical ingredients that support skin health rather than challenge it.
Products marketed as “anti-aging” often rely on ingredients with higher irritation potential, such as retinoids. While effective for some, these ingredients can be difficult for sensitive or changing skin to tolerate. Research shows that plant-derived alternatives can offer meaningful skin support with a gentler impact, both for the skin and the environment. [4]
Botanical ingredients also contain bioavailable compounds that support the skin’s foundational health, contributing to the skin’s natural regenerative processes and long-term resilience. [1]
Lesson 2: oily skin needs (balanced) moisture too.
One of the most surprising lessons I learned was that oily skin still needs moisture.
Understanding ingredient quality was one piece of the puzzle. Learning about skin pH and barrier balance was another. Skin functions best when its pH stays within a slightly acidic range, which helps maintain barrier integrity and protect against environmental stressors. [2]
When skin feels overly oily, it’s often a sign that balance is off. Over-cleansing and avoiding moisturizers can actually make things worse. When the skin barrier is stripped, the skin compensates by producing more oil.
Reintroducing balanced moisture with a high-quality, pH-compatible moisturizer or botanical facial oil can help bring skin back into alignment. Products formulated within a pH range of approximately 4.5–5.5 help support the skin’s acid mantle and overall barrier health. [2]
Lesson 3: consistency matters more than intensity.
The most effective routine is the one you can stick to.
The skin’s natural renewal cycle takes about 28 days to replace the outermost layer of cells. As we age, this process slows, and skin may need more support to maintain hydration, elasticity, and comfort. [3]
Nutrients like hyaluronic acid and compounds that support collagen production play an important role in this process. Botanically derived skincare can provide bioavailable resources that help support skin health as these natural processes evolve over time. [3]
Keeping routines simple, gentle, and consistent allows skin to respond steadily rather than reactively.
A healthier approach to skin after 40
If you’re navigating skin changes after 40, you’re not alone. Many of us are learning that skin health at this stage is less about control and more about support.
That belief is at the heart of Love and Light Botanicals. We focus on thoughtful formulation, gentle botanicals, and simple routines designed to fit real life.
If you’d like to learn more about my journey and the philosophy behind the brand, read Our Story or Book a free 1:1 Consultation.
And if you’re ready to simplify your routine, our positive aging botanical skincare routines are designed to support skin health at every stage, backed by our Happiness Guarantee.
With gratitude,
Kacie
Founder, Love and Light Botanicals
References:
1. Stallings AF, Lupo MP. Practical uses of botanicals in skin care. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2009 Jan;2(1):36-40. PMID: 20967187; PMCID: PMC2958188.
2. Ali, S. M., & Yosipovitch, G. (2013). Skin pH: From Basic SciencE to Basic Skin Care. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 93(3), 261–267. https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-1531
3. Eleni Papakonstantinou, Michael Roth & George Karakiulakis (2012) Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging, Dermato-Endocrinology, 4:3, 253-258, DOI: 10.4161/derm.21923
4. Hoang, H.T.; Moon, J.-Y.; Lee, Y.-C. Natural Antioxidants from Plant Extracts in Skincare Cosmetics: Recent Applications, Challenges and Perspectives. Cosmetics 2021, 8, 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics8040106