X
© Are Media 2026
Explore more stories on marie claire
A sommelier’s guide to sparkling wines for the festive season
The Surprising Link Between Skincare and Happiness
Silky, Smoothing Foundations Perfect for Mature Skin
Jessica Rowe, Asher Keddie and Miranda Tapsell Get Candid About Motherhood
Discover more about the feelings, the facts and the stats in our survey
“I feel way more confident than I've ever been. Call it life experience but I'm much more aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I've started doing what's right for me more often and it feels so good."
Discover more
FIVE Steps to maximise your midlife SKIN HEALTH
EXPERT ADVICE how to tackle a midlife career pivot
Confidence in midlife:
Why so many women are reclaiming their worth
F
or many women, midlife arrives quietly—through changing bodies, clearer boundaries and growing self‑trust. It’s not about reinvention, but recognition. We invited women to speak honestly about this chapter in a recent survey, and the answers were inspiring. Read more about the feelings, the facts and the stats in our survey.
The Beauty Edit:
vital Essentials
or many women, midlife isn’t a crisis or a reinvention, or even something dramatic. It creeps in slowly and gradually as we adjust to a reckoning with reality as it is. The mental load shifts. The body speaks louder, and we become more aware of everything and everyone around us. With that, certain tolerances quietly disappear. And for many women their confidence and sense of self actually grows. They know what they want and they know how to ask for it. Yet when we talk about this stage of life, we don’t ask to be fixed or fear‑managed; we just want to be understood. Cue the group chat where this conversation happens not in declarations or demands, but in memes, screenshots and funny posts about everyday life that do the work of saying, ‘Do you feel this too?’ and being met, instantly, with a resounding, “Yes”.
In a recent survey*, we invited women to speak openly about this chapter of life, in their own words. What emerged wasn’t a single narrative, but something far more honest: a shared acknowledgement that this stage is complex—and worth being seen clearly. For some women it happened gradually; for others a health crisis or work challenge was the impetus for a new way of looking at their life.
For Anita, 42, a senior design manager, a turning point came several years ago when, after being burnt out from work, she quit her job and started painting full-time. “I chewed through my savings and I did eventually have to start working again but the time out was so worth it. It gave me the space and confidence to develop my creative talents and remember who I was again outside of the normal weekday grind. I even entered a few competitions, and while I didn’t win, mentally, it was a huge step forward in knowing what I was capable of. I would never have had the confidence to do that in my twenties,” she says. Feel like you need a change? Get some expert advice about midlife career pivots and finding what’s next.
Return to homepage
“As you come into your sense of self you become more and more comfortable with how you look and feel. I think your concept with beauty totally transforms as you move away from external validation. It’s not that you don't care what people think at all, but I think it’s that you are comfortable with how you present yourself to the world.”
“I've always been quite a confident person, but I think now it’s about owning your own voice and allowing yourself to take up space and not feel guilty or shameful about that, where perhaps when I was younger I felt the need to be small around particular people.”
“I feel more at home in my skin. In my twenties I used to love trying new looks and products, whereas now that I’m older I know what works for me and I know what products will help me look my best.”
“Beauty to me now is knowing yourself. Knowing your body and your mind in all their strengths and complications and trusting yourself to know how best to care for them.”
“In my 20s and 30s I happily didn't know what I didn't know. Now with older children and years of work experience under my belt, I have so much to be proud of beyond the superficial.”
“In my twenties, I spent a lot more time worrying about what other people thought. Now, my self-worth is stronger and I’m more confident in who I am. I have less time for drama, mixed signals or things that drain my energy, and more appreciation for what feels easy, genuine and worthwhile.”
“I think one of the greatest things about getting older is the sense of self-worth that comes with it. The confidence that comes from knowing who you are as a person and the self-worth to be happy and content with that, is a great feeling.”
“I am much more confident and happy, in myself than I used to be. I care less about what people think of me. I see the world through a different lens now - quieter and with much more kindness to myself. I now think I am pretty alright.”
*Source: Are Media, Defiant Research, 2019, Are Media Consumer Data & Insights, L'Oreal Qualitative Poll, May 2026. N=502 W35+
ou know the feeling. You've worked hard since you got your first job, climbed the ladder, worked more hours than you thought possible, skipped social events because you had work the next day and put up with a whole range of personalities in the workplace that you would never tolerate in your social or family life. Then, without warning, you start to wonder: Is this what it’s all about? How much longer can I keep doing this? It’s not that I don’t care, it’s just that I’m ever so slightly, um, over it. Is it too late for a career change?
For career and executive coach Kate Richardson, this feeling is incredibly common. She sees it in women who’ve done the hard yards in their twenties and thirties and, come late thirties or forties, feel something shift. “A lot of women I work with find that while they’ve changed, their working life hasn’t, which typically prompts reflection. You might be clinging onto an outdated definition of success, or doing work that no longer aligns with your values or the person you’ve become. It might be the first time in a long time you can think about what you want to do, not what the family needs you to do. You know you want to do something different—even if you can’t clearly articulate what ‘it’ is.” In her day-to-day experience, Richardson says the most common thing she hears is “I feel stuck”. Often it’s because women want to make some kind of change but they’re not sure what it is or how to get started. “When you’re a forty-plus and you’ve built a career and you’re carrying responsibilities, staring into the face of uncertainty can be unnerving. It’s why a lot of people think about career change in midlife but struggle to act.”
For Richardson, the biggest myth we can tell ourselves about changing or adjusting our careers is that it demands you take a leap into the unknown that just can’t work with where you’re at in your life—and you just don’t want to ‘start again’ and throw everything you've worked for away. “The truth is you don’t need to commit to a big change. After all, you may not even know what you want to change to.” Richardson suggests starting with a few small steps. “You can minimise risk by exploring and testing a few different possibilities before making any real investment of time and money, and of course, before making a change. “Start by expanding your connections and talking with people who are working in and around your areas of interest—their insights, perspectives and advice can give you a good sense of whether that path is likely to be a good fit. You can also look for small ways to experiment—short courses, meet-ups, volunteering experiences, side projects… even proactive projects in your own workplace. These are all ways to gain hands-on exposure to a path before you decide to make the big move. “One of my clients works in digital fundraising in the not-for-profit sector. She recently explored a few possibilities including occupational therapy (OT). She spoke to a few OTs, spent a few hours observing one in private practice and attended some introductory training. All of these steps helped her validate her thinking and make a confident decision that this was the right path for her, and now she has started her training.”
Richardson is incredibly pragmatic when it comes to harnessing the desire for change. Firstly, you need to recognise that your brain will actually try to talk you out of it! “When you start to think about making a change your brain will tell you all the reasons why it won’t work—‘you’ll have to start again, you won’t have the skills, it’s too late’, etcetera. So you need to figure out what is a real barrier, and what is just a lack of confidence or an unhelpful assumption you’re making.” Secondly, it’s just a matter of taking action. “Just do something, just get started. The best time to start is always now because it often takes longer than you think.”
HOW TO TACKLE A MIDLIFE CAREER PIVOT ACCORDING TO AN EXPERT
Why does it feel so uncomfortable?
Too often we hear meaningful advice about finding purpose or passion in what we do, but is that really where you should start? “Not everyone has a passion or some kind of lofty purpose. I think figuring out what you want starts with two things: knowing your values and strengths. Defining your most important values for this stage of life allows you to think about the kind of work that’s going to be meaningful and motivating and that leads to better decisions. “People can focus too much on the skills they’ve developed, rather than the strengths they have. Strengths define what you’re both good at and energised by—they keep the focus on what you actually enjoy. So then you can look at career paths that you’re likely to find satisfying, rewarding and that are going to have you at your most confident.”
Time for a change?
Y
What should I focus on first?
What should I stop telling myself?
If I’m feeling the nudge, what should I do?
“When you’re a forty-plus and you’ve built a career and you’re carrying responsibilities, staring into the face of uncertainty can be unnerving. It’s why a lot of people think about career change in midlife but struggle to act.”
“The truth is you don’t need to commit to a big change. After all, you may not even know what you want to change to.”
“Just do something, just get started. The best time to start is always now because it often takes longer than you think.”
S
kin health in midlife becomes less about chasing glow and more about building strength and maintaining the skin’s barrier. As hormones shift and collagen naturally declines, our skin’s barrier, resilience and ability to repair itself matter more than ever. Dermatologists agree: strong and healthy skin is better equipped to withstand everything the years throw at us, behaving better even when things get tough. Too late to invest in your skin? We think not. It’s never not a good time to start the heavy lifting, even with a light touch. Think of it as supporting what your skin needs now, so it can keep doing its job well for years to come. Here are our top five tips to keep your skin in its best condition possible.
SKIN HEALTH
SUPPORT AND REPAIR FROM WITHIN Supporting skin from within matters more as we move through midlife. Collagen provides the scaffolding that keeps skin firm and resilient, but production naturally slows with age so it’s even more important you’re getting adequate protein and collagen‑rich foods (or supplements, where appropriate). Omega‑3 fatty acids, meanwhile, support cell membranes and reduce inflammation, helping skin stay supple and strong. Nutrition is every bit as important as skin care and can really help to amplify skincare benefits.
1.
2.
3.
PROTECT YOUR SKIN The need for sun protection never stops, no matter what stage of life you're at. UV exposure quietly weakens collagen, disrupts the skin barrier and drives pigmentation long before lines appear. Dermatologists and health experts are clear: daily broad‑spectrum SPF is the most effective anti‑ageing step you can take. Apply it every morning, rain or shine, and reapply when outdoors. Think of sunscreen as skin insurance—protecting strength, texture and tone now, and well into the future. If there’s one skincare step you want to skip, don’t make it this one.
FIVE Steps to maximise your midlife
4.
ACTIVES WITH INTENT Using actives thoughtfully is about being strategic, not aggressive. Ingredients like retinol, vitamin C and exfoliating acids are powerful tools for strengthening skin and boosting collagen production but overuse can compromise the barrier and trigger sensitivity, especially in midlife. A light touch is paramount and experts consistently recommend starting low, going slow and prioritising consistency over intensity. Actives should be supporting your skin, not stressing it.
5.
PRIORITISE RECOVERY Prioritising recovery is the easiest upgrade you can make, and the one with the biggest payoff. Skin repairs itself while you sleep. Regulate stress and keep routines simple. Consistent rest, manageable stress levels and nights without overloading on actives allow inflammation to settle and barrier function to rebound. The bonus? What benefits your skin also supports your whole body, from hormones to immunity. Sometimes the most effective skincare step isn’t another product, it's more about giving your system time to recover.
PROTECT THE BARRIER When experts talk about the skin barrier, they’re referring to the outermost layer of your skin. Think of it as a rendered wall: skin cells are the bricks, and lipids like ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids are the mortar holding everything together. Its job is to keep moisture in and irritants, bacteria and pollution out. More recently, it’s become a bit of a beauty buzzword because we’re experiencing sensitivity, dryness and flare‑ups more often thanks to over‑exfoliation, aggressive actives and stressed lifestyles. Add hormonal changes in midlife, which naturally weaken barrier lipids, and suddenly protecting this layer isn’t a trend, it’s essential. Avoid the foaming cleansers that worked well when we were younger and look for ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids in your serums and moisturisers.
Revitalift Laser Range
Support, repair and protect your skin with this handy product guide for every stage of your skincare routine.
This range is all about hyaluronic acid, which is the ingredient your skin naturally has less of over time. Revitalift Filler doesn’t ‘fill’ like injectables, but it does help skin look fuller, smoother and more hydrated. Best for plumping, hydration and smoothing fine lines.
Revitalift Filler
Night Serum The Revitalift Laser Pure Retinol Night Serum contains our highest concentration of pure retinol, formulated to visibly reduce all types of wrinkles, including deep-set lines.
Day Serum The Revitalift Laser Tri-Peptides Age-Correcting Serum is enriched with highly concentrated tri-peptides. This anti-ageing serum works to stimulate collagen production, helping to smooth fine lines and restore firmness.
Day Cream The Revitalift Laser Anti-Ageing Day Cream is expertly formulated with three top derm actives—pro-retinol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C—to help visibly smooth wrinkles, firm and brighten the skin.
For the Eyes Revitalift Laser Instant Eye Bag Eraser’s fast-acting formula visibly smooths bags, wrinkles and crepey skin in just 15 minutes, with results lasting hours.
Glass Skin Moisturiser Revitalift Filler Glass Skin Liquid Cream delivers up to 100 hours of glowing hydration. With a pioneering liquid cream texture, it instantly melts into the skin, leaving it plumped, smooth and radiant.
Day Cream Revitalift Filler Plumping Water Cream with Hyaluronic Acid has two types of highly concentrated hyaluronic acids and a combination of three ceramides, acting immediately and over time to smooth wrinkles and plump the skin.
Day and Night Serum Revitalift Filler 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum harnesses an advanced formula of three pure hyaluronic acid molecules to deliver deep, multi-level hydration from within.
Night Cream Revitalift Filler Anti-Ageing Revolumising Night Cream with Hyaluronic Acid contains hyaluronic acid that works to gradually re-plump your skin, and galanga, which has skin-firming properties.
Shop now
Inspired by laser procedures, the L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Laser range takes on midlife skin, wrinkles, loss of firmness and uneven texture. It’s the heavy hitter for lines, wrinkles, texture, firmness and uneven skin tone. Key ingredients include retinol (targets deep wrinkles & resurfaces the skin), peptides (supports firmness) and vitamin C derivatives (brightens).
Choose between laser-similar benefits or a plumping, glow focus.
Evening Boost Revitalift Laser Anti-Ageing Night Cream, smooths wrinkles, re-texturises and restores the look of skin.
