The Decade: 40s
The Skin You're In
Your skin is losing some of its elasticity and firmness now. Many of the changes you're seeing are due to a decrease in estrogen that naturally occurs as you get closer to menopause, Welch explains, and chronic ultraviolet exposure that finally catches up with you. Typically drier, your skin will have larger pores, some age spots, and some fine lines around the eyes and mouth.

Essential Steps
+ The rules of cleansing and toning stay the same, although you should opt for a heavier moisturizer. If you use a light, water-based facial lotion, try switching to an oil-based product or a cream formula.

+ If you didn't start using an exfoliant or vitamin A in your thirties, start now. Other ingredients to add to your arsenal include green tea and soy extracts, topical vitamin C and E, and coenzyme Q10, all of which protect skin from damage.

Thinking Ahead
Menopause is coming, which means your skin will get drier -- so don't skip the moisturizer. As estrogen levels drop, fatigue and nutritional gaps will take a greater toll, Treloar points out. "This is when adequate sleep, a healthy diet, and relaxation exercises become really important," she says. And don't slack on the sunscreen -- keeping sun damage at bay is as crucial as ever.

Try This
Petty's prescription for dry skin includes increasing your vitamin B2 (as part of a multivitamin or B-complex supplement) and taking borage oil supplements, which supply the body with gamma linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid. And drinking eight glasses of water a day will promote skin hydration from within.