There’s a moment, somewhere in our late thirties or early forties, when our skin starts to feel a little unfamiliar.
Not worse — just different.
Fine lines appear where skin once bounced back overnight. Makeup sits differently. Hydration doesn’t seem to last as long. And even when we’ve slept well (which also appears to become rarer while we juggle life), we still look a little more tired than we feel we should.
For many of the women we see at Skin & Sanctuary, this is when skincare becomes less about “quick fixes” and more about understanding what’s really happening, and what to do next.
Why skin starts to change
By our mid-thirties, the natural processes that keep skin firm, hydrated, and luminous begin to slow down.
Collagen and elastin production drop by around one per cent each year. Cell turnover takes longer, and the skin barrier becomes a little less efficient at holding moisture. Hormonal shifts also play a part - first gently, then more noticeably as we move closer to perimenopause.
Many of us will find our skin becomes drier, thinner, or less resilient. Pigmentation, fine lines, or a general loss of brightness can appear almost overnight. This is across all skin types and skin tones. For Black or South Asian skin, these shifts can look slightly different. Melanin offers some natural protection but can make post-inflammatory pigmentation more likely. That means any acne, irritation, or sun damage can leave longer traces.
Understanding these subtleties matters. Caring for skin in our late thirties and forties isn’t about fighting age. It’s about working with it intelligently.
It’s not just skin deep
What we see on the surface is often a reflection of what’s happening beneath it, stress, hormones, nutrition, sleep, and how we care for ourselves day to day.
Many of the women who come to us are holding a lot. Families, careers, friendships, the invisible admin of life. Somewhere in between, self-care becomes something to “fit in when we can.”
But skin responds to rhythm, not randomness. The more consistently it’s supported, the more it thrives. That’s why we always begin with a consultation and a skin scan - to look beyond the surface and help you understand what your skin actually needs right now.
Treatments that help
This is where we break the taboo. When fine lines start to settle and expression lines linger a little longer, wrinkle-reduction treatments can make a quiet but meaningful difference.
They’re not about changing how you look. They’re about helping you look well - rested, balanced, and confident.
Used thoughtfully, they work with your skin, not against it, softening the lines that make you look tired while keeping your expression completely your own.
At Skin & Sanctuary, every injectable treatment is performed by a qualified medical professional. We assess your facial anatomy, movement, and skin health before deciding if it’s right for you. Often, wrinkle-reduction treatments are part of a wider plan that includes collagen-boosting boosters and facials, nutrition, and skincare.
The thing is (and what I wish some-one had told me) is that by starting earlier, you’re supporting your skin for the long term, helping it age more gracefully so that in years to come, you begin from a stronger starting point.
A new kind of confidence
At Skin & Sanctuary we are clear, Ageing is not the enemy. The goal is to look well, not “done”; to feel good, to understand that looking after our skin is also, as referenced by Dr Mayoni, a part of the ‘tree’ of our bodies’ health.
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For many of us, these years can also be the most powerful. We know who we are, we’ve built lives full of people we care about, and we deserve to feel as vibrant as the women we’ve become.
The right approach to skin at this stage isn’t about transformation. It’s about calibration - finding balance again, inside and out.
At Skin & Sanctuary, that’s what we do best: helping you understand your skin, make sense of the science, and design a plan that fits your life.
Because ageing beautifully is not about chasing youth. It’s about living beautifully, with skin that reflects how well you’re doing it.
If you’d like to begin
Start with a consultation and a skin scan.
You’ll leave with a plan that’s realistic, science-led, and personal to you.
And if you’re already one of our members, you’ll know - the journey only gets better from here.
With love
Sonia