Amanda Ramsay's Top 7 Products from The Jojoba Company for Skin Over 40

If you've hit your 40s, 50s or beyond and found yourself thinking, “What on earth has happened to my skin?”, I hear you, Sister.

I've been a professional makeup artist for more than 20 years, working with thousands of women, and these days I specialise in helping women over 40 navigate all the little surprises that come with changing skin. I'm also 53, post-menopausal and living this right alongside you, so this isn't just something I understand professionally. I see it in my own bathroom mirror too.

Skin that was once fairly predictable can suddenly become drier, more dehydrated, sensitive or a little lacklustre. And then there's makeup. Foundation that used to glide on beautifully can start sitting in lines, grabbing onto dry patches or somehow making you look more tired rather than less.

Ahhh, the gifts of ageing.

One of the biggest things I've learned, both as a makeup artist and as a woman in midlife, is that more isn't necessarily better.

You don't need 47 products and a chemistry degree. You need a few really good formulas that meet your skin where it's at now.

I'm not interested in trying to make you look 25 again. I want your skin to feel comfortable, hydrated and healthy, with enough lovely luminosity that you look like you, just really bloody good.

These are the products from The Jojoba Company I personally rate for exactly that.

1. If your skin feels dry, sensitive or just a bit cranky: Australian Jojoba

If you're new to The Jojoba Company, start here.

Australian Jojoba is their hero for a reason. It's one of those beautiful, simple products I reach for when skin feels dry, tight or generally a bit out of sorts.

And if you're thinking, “Amanda, I don't want to put oil on my face” stay with me.

Jojoba is actually a liquid wax, and its structure is similar to the wax esters naturally found in healthy human skin. It's especially lovely when your skin is feeling dry, dehydrated, red or irritated.

How I'd use it: a few drops, pressed into damp skin. You do not need to baste yourself like a Christmas turkey (although I’d highly recommend you do of an evening!)

2. If your skin looks flat, feels thirsty and makeup disappears: Ultimate Serum

This is the one I'd point you towards if your skin is saying, “Please give me a drink.”

The Ultimate Serum is all about hydration, plumpness and helping the skin feel a little more bouncy and comfortable. This matters enormously if you wear makeup. Don’t tell me your makeup disappears if you’re not hydrating your skin first - thirsty skin “drinks” your makeup.

When your skin is dehydrated, foundation can suddenly highlight every fine line and bit of texture you didn't even know you had. Hydrate properly underneath, and everything tends to sit so much more beautifully.

My tip: apply your serum before oils, moisturiser and sunscreen, and give it a minute to settle before you move on.

Think juicy, plump delicious skin.

3. If you've been ignoring everything below your chin: Australian Jojoba Aqua Gel

I know you're good with your face. But what about your chest? Arms? Legs?

Just saying … I get it, I’m guilty of forgetting this too!

The Australian Jojoba Aqua Gel is a lovely option if your body skin feels dry but you absolutely cannot stand thick, sticky body moisturiser.

It's lightweight, hydrating and fast-absorbing, which means you can put your clothes on without feeling like you've been dipped in something.

Because the best body moisturiser is the one you'll actually use.

4. If your skin has lost its glow: Jojoba & Enzyme Radiance Mask

In my experience most women don’t want to look younger they just want to look their best self today.

I am here to help guide you into your best fresh, healthy and alive skin.

And okay... perhaps a little more youthful. Why not?

As we age, cell turnover slows and dead skin can build up on the surface, leaving your complexion looking a bit dull and making makeup sit less smoothly.

The Jojoba & Enzyme Radiance Mask helps remove that dull surface build-up without relying on a heavy physical scrub.

Put down the apricot scrub, Sister. While a gritty scrub can feel terribly satisfying, overdoing it can leave sensitive or sensitised skin even crankier.

More exfoliation does not equal more glow. Sometimes it just equals an angry face.

My tip: use this as your occasional weekly reset when your skin is looking a bit blah.

5. If you've suddenly become very aware of your loosey-goosey neck and thought what the h*ck: Neck & Décolletage Lifting Concentrate

There is often a point in midlife where you catch yourself in the mirror and think… Hello. Umm... what the heck happened here? Yep.

This Neck & Décolletage Lifting Concentrate is specifically designed for the neck, jawline and décolletage, particularly where you're noticing changes in firmness and texture. It's lightweight, absorbs beautifully and works an absolute treat. I'm addicted.

My tip: take all your skincare down - forehead to boobs.

Your skincare does not stop at your jawline. Use this morning and night and give yourself an extra 30 seconds to massage it over your neck and chest. I also put it on my knees. Because apparently my knees need all the help they can get now too.

6. If your skin needs a big warm hug: Jojoba Intense Moisture Balm

You know those times when your skin has simply had enough?

Winter. Air con. Travel. Hormonal changes. Too many actives. Not enough sleep. Life. This is the product I'd reach for when your skin feels dry, tight, sensitive and generally a bit over everything.

The Jojoba Intense Moisture Balm is rich and nourishing and designed to help support the skin barrier and lock in moisture.

I think of this as less of an everyday obligation and more of an SOS product.
If your skin feels rough or flaky, it's trying to tell you something.

It may need oil. Nourishment. Comfort. Not another active. Not another exfoliant.

And yes, I absolutely subscribe to going to bed looking like a glazed Christmas turkey. Slather it on.

7. If your foundation is looking cakey: Daily Glow PHA Tonic + Ultimate Serum

This is the makeup artist in me speaking now. If you're looking at your foundation thinking “Why does this suddenly look awful on me?” or “why is my makeup disappearing?”

Don't immediately blame the foundation. Have a look at what's going on underneath.

My favourite prep combination here is the Daily Glow Exfoliating PHA Tonic followed by the Ultimate Serum.

The tonic gently exfoliates and smooths, while the serum brings the hydration and plumpness. That combination gives me exactly what I want before makeup: skin that feels smooth, fresh, smooth, hydrated and plump.

And when your skin is well prepped, your foundation and makeup lasts longer, sits better. Which, at this stage of life, is usually a very good thing. Please don't read this and think you now need everything. Choose the thing that's bothering you most.

• If your skin is dry and cranky, start with Australian Jojoba.
• If it's dehydrated and your makeup disappears, I'd look at Ultimate Serum.
• If dullness is the issue, try the Radiance Mask.
• If your skin barrier feels completely fed up, go for the Jojoba Intense Moisture Balm.
• And if your makeup isn't sitting the way it used to, start by improving your skin prep before you go buying yet another foundation.

Then, if you're still standing in front of the mirror thinking “Amanda, I genuinely don't know what I'm doing anymore,” come and find me.

I've created my Ageless Beauty Makeup Course for Women Over 40 specifically for that woman. It teaches you how to work with the skin and features you have now,  from prep and foundation to lifting hooding eyes, brightening undereyes, defining brows, plumping up lips and a fresh five-minute face without the overwhelm or a 20-step routine. More than 400 women have already been through the course.

Because your skin changing doesn't mean you've been doing anything wrong. It does mean your skincare and makeup may need to change with it.

The routine that worked beautifully at 32 is very unlikely to be the one your skin needs now. So let's stop fighting with our faces.

Let's get your skin feeling comfortable, hydrated, fresh and healthy, learn a few clever new makeup tricks and get you feeling confident when you look in the mirror again.

I want you to look like you. Just really bloody good, the best version of you. Shine Bright, With love, Your Ageless Beauty Bestie, Amanda x

About Amanda Ramsay

Amanda Ramsay is an award-winning professional makeup artist, beauty educator and creator of Ageless Beauty: The Makeup Course for Women Over 40. With more than 20 years' experience, Amanda specialises in helping women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond navigate changing skin and features, and learn simple, modern makeup techniques that help them feel fresh, confident and like themselves again.

If your makeup isn't working the way it used to, you can learn Amanda's step-by-step techniques in her Ageless Beauty Makeup Course for Women Over 40, or work with Amanda more personally through one of her makeup lessons and beauty consultations. With a 30 day money back guarantee, and supportive community, what are you waiting for? Join now and learn with Amanda: Ageless Beauty The Makeup Course for Women Over 40

Follow Amanda on Instagram and Facebook at @amandaramsaymakeup