The primary concern in speaking of skincare after 40 is the gradual loss of collagen with age. Collagen serves as the main component of connective tissue, and plays a sizable role in skin strength and elasticity, so as the body loses collagen the skin becomes at risk of frown lines and other forms of sagging. Fortunately there are a number of preventative measures one can take to reduce these risks of premature aging.

Perhaps the most important step to take in protecting your skin after 40 (or any age, really) is to find a dermatologist you trust. He or she will give you a good overall evaluation of the current state of your skin. A proneness to oily skin, crow’s feet and breakouts can lead to a number of differing product recommendations, and your dermatologist will likely know what products will work best with your skin type.

One important point your dermatologist may make is that vitamins play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin. Because the vast majority of us aren’t getting what we need from our diet it might be extremely beneficial to look to vitamins and supplements to make up for what our diet lacks. One such miracle worker is retinal, a Vitamin A derivative that boosts the body’s ability to replace old skin cells with newer ones, leaving the skin feeling, and perhaps more importantly, looking fresh. Your dermatologist will be able to recommend you a prescription, but one of the more common on the market now is Renova.

A common mistake is to overload on products. This mistake is often made by those who are anxious to begin this process but don’t do the research beforehand. There are tons of multi-purpose products. Buying these instead of more specialized products not only saves you some bathroom space but also some valuable time as well. What works for one area of the body might work just as well or better on others.

As overwhelming as it may feel seeing age creeping up on you, know that there are many inexpensive steps you can take to look and feel younger after 40. Aside from vitamins, multi-purpose creams, moisturizers and exercise, there is also the least expensive option of all; water. As simple as it may sound, one often has to make a conscious effort to drink the eight daily recommended glasses. If you find yourself lacking, look for easy ways to reach the recommended amount like bringing a water bottle to work or buying bottles in bulk if tap doesn’t agree with you.