3 Under-$25 Skin-Care Products That Jessica Alba Started Using When She Turned 40

Photo: Getty Images/VALERIE MACON / Contributor
The beauty of being a skin-care brand founder is that instead of having to search the market for products that fit your complexion's individual concerns, you get to create them for yourself. And for Jessica Alba, actress and founder of Honest Beauty, that meant coming up with formulations that give her skin exactly what it needs now.

"In my 40s, I want to protect, hydrate, and regenerate my skin, which is what keeps it looking fresh, vibrant, and alive," says Alba. "For that, you need cell turnover, so this Daily Defense line hits on all of those notes and is easy to incorporate into your skin-care routine regardless of your skin type and regardless of the other products you're using."


Experts In This Article
  • Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology and associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital

As someone with sensitive skin, Alba has learned to be incredibly cautious about what she uses on her face, and loves these products because they don't cause any sort of irritation to her complexion. "My skin is very, very sensitive, so I have to be careful about what I use it," she says. And she's not alone. The sensitive skin category has exploded in the past decade, with at least half of women reporting that their skin is reactive and sensitive.

"Obviously we’re aware of what’s happening with the Ozone layer and the pollutants [in the environment], and now with all the screens and blue light we know the impact that these things can have on our skin," she says. "These were big areas we were passionate about, especially during COVID, so we wanted to come up with something that really addresses the pollutants and all the stuff we're exposed to."

The line includes three products—a cleanser, a toner, and a setting spray—each of which are packed with antioxidants designed to defend against the elements. Of course, keeping your skin properly protected is important at any age, but when you turn 40, you'll want to start upping your game. "By the time you hit your 40s, your skin's natural antioxidant defenses have started to weaken," Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, previously told Well+Good. "Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radical damage to protect the skin from environmental damage from the sun, pollution, and even blue light."

Considering Alba's skin is just as radiant as ever, consider this a routine we'll be stealing for ourselves.

Shop Alba's routine:

Skin Sweep Exfoliating Powder Cleanser — $22.00

This powder cleanser transforms into a frothy foam the minute it’s mixed with water, giving you a gently exfoliating lather that’s gentle enough to be used on all skin types. From an ingredient standpoint, it’s got detoxifying kaolin clay and nutrient-packed marine ingredients to leave skin clear.

Pollution Solution Purifying Toner — $18.00

After whisking away dirt and impurities, this toner infuses skin with zinc, which helps reduce excess oil, and antioxidant-packed microalgae extract to protect against the free-radical induced oxidative stress that comes from stressors like pollution and UV light and causes aging.

Save Face Shielding Setting Spray — $22.00

Think of this as a shield against elements. Spritz it on your skin, and you’ll be protected from free radical damage from the environment. In addition to the antioxidant line of defense it provides, it also creates a physical barrier from the elements, like pollution, with a blend of sugar derivatives.

Here's even more from Alba on what she uses in her daily routine:

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