If you’re in your forties—or beyond—you might relate to this. Turning forty felt like stepping into my life values in a more tangible way, especially around how I want to age.

On my 40th birthday, I stopped dyeing my hair and decided to let my grays come through as my own personal protest against outdated beauty standards. It was liberating . . . but if I’m honest, it also freaked me out. Almost overnight, I noticed deeper lines around my mouth, eyes, and forehead. As someone who always looked younger than my age, it was jarring to see such a rapid shift. On top of that, a year later I started waking up in the middle of the night for no reason, holding onto weight in ways I hadn’t before, and experiencing different energy levels—all signs of perimenopause.

Instead of rushing to get quick fixes that don’t actually solve anything (let’s be real—the world is now filled with Botox and Ozempic), I decided to lean in. I started prioritizing a regular yoga practice four to five days a week, eating better, cutting back on alcohol, and enjoying earlier bedtimes (I never thought 9 PM could feel so luxurious!). A few years into my forties now, my hair is mostly grown out—be warned, it takes a while—but I’ve found new hairstyles I genuinely love, and that alone has been a fun journey.

A skincare routine for your forties

One pleasant surprise in this decade is that my skin has finally chilled out. I’ve struggled with acne most of my life—breakouts around my cycle were the norm—but now, it’s pretty much clear. My skin is soft, supple, and buoyant. The flip side is that it’s drier, so I’ve had to adapt my routine. Here’s what works for me:

• Gentle Cleanser: Nothing harsh—I want to cleanse without stripping my skin.

• Rose Geranium Hydrosol: A hydrating mist.

• Well Serum: Adds an extra layer of nourishment, especially in winter, and keeps my skin feeling resilient and plump.

• Restorative Face Cream: I switched to this richer cream from Daily Face Cream, and my skin feels so much happier and more conditioned.

• Eye Cream: I apply it faithfully to keep my under-eye area moisturized.

• Wisdom Oil: Apply all over at night with facial massage.

My daughter is nine now, and in my thirties, everything was about quick routines that barely fit into busy days. But these days, I actually look forward to the time I spend on my skin every night. I massage the products into my skin slowly, easing tension, and it feels like such a loving thing to do for myself. I also do a bit of lymphatic work on my jaw and neck a few times a week to help with puffiness and stress.

For my body, I’m addicted to Aura Body Oil after a shower—it leaves my skin feeling silky. And if I notice any areas of cellulite, I take a dab of Well Serum and massage it in. I swear I’ve seen a real difference. (Maybe I need to make a Well Serum specifically for the body…. I’m really thinking we need this product now! Hahaha.)

Reflecting on aging

I’ve learned that I notice signs of aging most when I’m not taking care of myself—lack of sleep, not enough water, stress piling up. In my forties, I’m seeing how self-care is at the core of both how I look and how I feel. Our skin reflects what we give it, and these days, I’m determined to give it everything it needs.

If you’re feeling a little nervous about how your skin is changing, I hope this helps you see that your forties can be a time of self-discovery and confidence. I genuinely trust the skincare I make because it nourishes my body rather than breaking down my skin through over-exfoliation. After using Botnia for a decade, I can see my skin is healthy and vibrant because of it. I look forward to my skincare routine both morning and night; I crave it and that to me is beauty. Because beauty is a feeling that we can cultivate at any age or stage of life.

Xo,
Justine