When you’re young, looking after your skin is rarely a priority, mostly because you probably don’t have to do much to look awesome.
As you reach your late 30’s, you’ll almost certainly start noticing a few dark spots and wrinkles appearing seemingly out of nowhere. And once we hit the big 4-0, most of us are mourning the fact we haven’t done anything sooner to hang on to our fresh-faced youth.
Don’t panic. It’s never too late to take control and start a skincare routine. We know how daunting it can be when it feels like you’re sprinting against time to preserve younger looking skin, so we’ve devised a concise set of tips to get you on your way - the ultimate skincare routine guide for men who are 40+.

Aging skin

Why is it that skin problems seem to creep up overnight as soon as we hit 40?
Well, there are several reasons. Firstly, as we age, our skin cells turnover at a slower rate, meaning that new cells don’t reach the skin’s surface as quickly. This results in a duller complexion, as well as more wrinkles  and other signs of aging.
Aging skin is also drier, because the natural oils that keep skin hydrated start to decline. Believe it or not, this starts slowly happening as early as your late 20s but you just don’t see it then.
Why? You have probably heard of one of the dermatology industry’s buzzwords - collagen.
Collagen is a protein that provides structure and elasticity to our skin. As we get older, our bodies produce less collagen, resulting in sagging skin and more wrinkles.
“We all start losing about 1% of collagen every year over the age of 20 and we definitely start to see those changes by 40,” says Houston-based dermatologist DiAnne Davis, M.D
All of these combined create a perfect storm, and although skin complaints may seem to suddenly appear the day after your 40th birthday: they’ve actually been creeping up on you for a while - you just hadn’t noticed. 
So, the big question; how can you prevent further deterioration of your skin, and is it possible to reverse any of those pesky signs of aging?

Keep your face CLEAN

You'd be surprised how many men don’t wash their face twice a day (and we don’t mean with soap and water). Using a cleanser is an essential part of any solid skincare routine to remove dirt, oil and environmental pollutants that clog up pores and cause skin problems.

Invest in a good quality facial cleanser that suits your skin type - whether that’s dry, oily, or somewhere in between. And make sure you massage it in for at least 60 seconds to give it a chance to work its magic.

Exfoliate to slough away dead skin cells

If your skin feels dull and lackluster, it could be simply because you’re not exfoliating enough. Exfoliation removes dead cells from the surface of your skin, revealing the brighter, smoother skin underneath.

You’ve got a couple of exfoliating choices - either use a physical exfoliator (like a gentle face scrub) or a chemical one with anti-aging ingredients for more healthy looking skin.

We recommend Shake and Wake - an enzyme powder exfoliating cleanser. Perfect for even the most sensitive of skin to use daily, this face wash is activated with water, and lathers into a silky foam that gently cleans and exfoliates for healthy, soft skin. 

Packed with antioxidants that prevent tissue damage by stopping free radicals forming or even helping them decompose, Shake and Wake gently repairs skin.

Natural fruity enzymes keep your oil and sweat glands and skin pores clear to prevent clogged pores, protecting skin from acne breakouts. 

If you want to try Shake and Wake facial scrub to keep your glowing skin soft and eliminate dead cells while combating the aging process straight away, check out our enzyme powder face wash.

Moisturize to soothe dry skin

As we’ve mentioned, aging skin is drier, so it’s important to keep it hydrated with a good quality moisturizer. This will also help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Choose a product that suits your skin type - if you have oily skin, look for a gel-based or oil-free formula. And don’t forget to apply it to your neck as well as your face!
Jaxon Lane’s very own Relax and Repair is the ultimate anti-aging moisturizer and Winner of the GQ Award for "Best Moisturizer", The secret? It hydrates without being oily and is chock full with clean ingredients like centella asiatica, niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane, ginseng, seaweed all scientifically proven to not only prevent but also repair those dreaded signs of aging like fine lines, dull skin, and hyperpigmentation.

SPF means supple skin

You may have been getting away with not using SPF sunscreen when you were younger, but now is the time to start making it a core part of your daily routine. 

Sun damage from UV exposure is one of the main contributing factors to premature aging. UV rays weaken the collagen in skin, which is already declining by the time you are 40. Sun exposure can also lead to dark spots by increasing production of pigment, more visible pores, redness and broken capillaries by causing blood vessels to grow, and…..most importantly, the sun massively increases your chances of developing skin cancer.

You can still enjoy lazy days at the beach but make sure you apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen and lip balm with a protective layer of SPF 30 or higher, even if it’s cloudy.

If you're looking for skincare products in time for summer, keep safe with Jaxon Lane's Rain or Shine 2 in 1 facial moisturizer and sunscreen - the perfect addition to any self-respecting man’s skincare regimen. 

Packed with hero ingredients like hyaluronic acid (which increases skin moisture and reduces wrinkles) and vitamin E to protect your skin against UVB and UVA rays, Rain or Shine keeps you safe and looking great so your skin matures like a fine wine without sun damage-induced signs of aging. 

Dermatologist recommended, Rain or Shine is suitable for normal skin, acne prone and everything in between - as well as darker skin tones due to the no white film formula. Check it out here.

Beware the Beard, shave smart

Men of a certain age begin to develop thicker coarser facial hair, making shaving difficult and causing irritation. If you have a beard, it's important to keep it clean and trimmed in order to reduce the risk of irritation, infection and other skin issues. Be sure to wash your face and beard regularly with shampoo and conditioner, and why not look into using a beard oil or balm to keep your hair softer and more manageable?

You should always use a sharp razor and shaving cream or gel to help reduce friction, but you might also consider introducing some extra products to streamline the shaving experience. As well as electric razors, shaving oils can help protect your skin from damage whilst maintaining that sought-after chiseled look with younger looking facial hair. 

Men's retinol cream

It’s the word on everyone’s lips. Retinols. Why? Derived from Vitamin A, retinols are widely considered to be one of the best ingredients for anti-aging cream because they boost collagen production - two things that are key in the fight against aging skin.

You can find retinol in a number of different products, such as serums, creams and even some exfoliators. However, remember that retinol can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so always use SPF when going outside.

So there you have it, the ultimate tips and tricks to round off the best possible skincare routine for guys over 40. Results may take a little time - but be patient and keep at it. Before long, the compliments will start rolling in, and people won’t believe it when you tell them you’re past the big 4-0.