*This post is brought to you by our local med spa of choice – @Skinn_Bar
With age, your entire body goes through many transformations. Your metabolism, your eyesight, even your taste changes. It is not surprising then to imagine that your skin changes, as well. After all, it is the biggest organ of your body.
Since your skin changes that much, what worked for you in your 20s doesn’t work for you in your 40s anymore. Welcome every new decade of your life with a new addition to your skincare. Think of it as a little treat for your skin for being so amazing for another decade.
Let’s start with your skincare journey with your 20s.
Skincare in Your 20s
You have beautiful, youthful skin that doesn’t need much help to stay glowy. However, this is the perfect time to learn how to nurture your skin and keep it healthy. To what do you owe this lovely skin that heroically survived your puberty?
Mostly to your rich subcutaneous tissue and sebaceous glands that finally work well. There are cases when these glands still work overtime so your skin can get a bit oily, or you can suffer a blackhead or two.
If you still suffer from acne, make sure you talk to a doctor. Sometimes, the acne are actually a consequence of oil, dead skin and bacteria getting stuck in your pores. This leads to an infection that causes an outbreak.
Also, while some people are prone to acne, others never had that issue in their life. This can very well be due to different hormonal structures of every individual. That is why it is important that you talk to your doctor if you are still suffering from acne in your 20s.
Here is what you need to do in your twenties:
Daily – Sunscreen. If there is one thing about your skincare regime that you will remember – it should be sunscreen. It is essential that you cultivate a habit of applying it generously throughout the day. That is the best anti-aging tip in your 20s. Also, never go to bed without cleaning your face and removing the makeup.
A couple of times a week – gently exfoliate using products that contain glycolic and lactic acid. Apply the AHA mask.
Special tip – Forget about tanning. Yes, tanned and sun-kissed skin looks nice, but it actually speeds up the aging process and damages your skin. Sunbeds? Not even in your dreams. They significantly increase the chances of developing skin cancer.
Another thing that you need to do is to remember to be gentle to your skin. Your makeup, you exfoliating routine or everything else that comes in contact with your face – need to be gentle to it. Sure, you won’t see any consequences right away, but you will definitely suffer them later on in life.
Skincare in Your 30s
Middle of your thirties is when your skin starts to slow down a bit. The skin cells need a bit more time to regenerate, so the healthy glow sometimes fails you. The dewy skin can lose some of its vitality as the fat reserves beneath your skin reduce. For some, this is the time when first little lines and wrinkles appear.
Your 30s is the time when you need to start fighting for your skin glow in any way you can. The key to success – hydration in every sense of the word. You should drink enough water, moisturize your face regularly and make sure it is never exposed to drying factors without any sort of protection.
You should continue your routine from your 20s, but you will need some extra help in the form of retinol-packed eye-cream. Moreover, look for retinol in all your skin care products. Retinol helps your skin produce more collagen and it also speeds up the turnover of your skin cells. In other words, it makes your skin act young.
Applying the creams and serums will do its trick, but it will not be entirely enough. The 30s are the time when you need to establish a proper dietary and exercise routine. You need a lot of fresh fruit and veggies, so your skin gets all the necessary minerals and vitamins to stay vital. Exercise will boost your blood flow which will liven up your skin.
Skincare in Your 40s
Good genetics can get you only so far when it comes you your skin and 40s are usually when you start to notice more significant changes. Those sebaceous glands begin to get lazy, and the skin on your faces relaxes a bit. Get ready to bring out the big guns for your daily routine.
What works best in your 40s is the hyaluronic acid. Since the skin becomes increasingly dry, you should give it a daily dose of moisturizing. You should also use serums with Vitamin C and other anti-aging creams containing anti-oxidants. Also, it is fair to mention that the 40s are the time when ladies get their first superficial chemicals peels.
Also, keep in mind that this is the time when your skin may start to act out a bit. It’s all mostly harmless, but sometimes annoying stuff. Some of the things that you can notice include:
- Milia – tiny white bumps, usually around your eyes. Nothing to worry about, but annoying. They are actually bits of kreatin trapped underneath your skin. You can wait them out, use topical retinoids and let a professional extract them.
- Sebaceous hyperplasia – small papules, indented in the middle that usually occur on the forehead, nose, and cheek. They are benign. They usually appear because there has been some damage that causes the overproduction of sebum.
Skincare in Your 50s
The 50s are when things change drastically. You need to get to learn all about your skin all over again. The hormonal changes that happen to most women in their 50s cause their skin to transform completely. Your skin will undoubtedly get dry in your 50s, and you should do everything in your power to keep it as moisturized as possible.
The stuff that you have used so far won’t cut it. You need to go for the prescription retinoids. They can do wonders for your skin, but they are also quite powerful. Retinoids can irritate your skin, as well. Keep that in mind when using them and don’t overdo it.
Also, your 50s are the time when you should definitely go for heavy and nutritive night creams. Don’t be shy with it, because your skin needs it and it doesn’t really matter if your skin is shiny during the night.
There are two things to look out for in your 50s:
- Actinic keratosis – if you have scaly or crusty bumps that resemble warts, it is important that you show it to your doctor. This can be an actinic keratosis, which is caused by UV rays and it is a pre-cancerous condition. On its own, it is not dangerous, but it very frequently develops into skin cancer, especially squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
- Different types of skin cancers. This is not a pleasant thing to think about but it still is something to look out for. Skin cancers are usually caused by exposure to UV rays. However, there are skin cancers that develop on the patches of skin that isn’t exposed to sun or tanning beds, so their causes are not well-known. Either way, you should look out for those more than ever once you enter your 50s.
Skincare in Your 60s
In your 60s and beyond, it is all about keeping your skin nice and gentle. You may notice that your skin is less resistant and that you bruise more easily. Just like before, you should moisturize your skin, but you should also add another step to it – you should try and lock that moisture in.
The best moisturizers for your skin are those based on glycerin. However, you also need products based on dimethicone. They form an excellent, silicon-based film that keeps your skin hydrated longer. In your 60s you can even cut down on those morning routines and ease up on using products.
In that way, you will prevent further dehydration of your skin, and it will look better and healthier. Moreover, consider replacing those drying products with oil of your choice. By the time you are 60, you already know very well what agrees with your skin and what irritates it.
Aging is not a bad thing. It is an entirely normal process, and you should embrace it. Proper skin care is not there to make you look younger – it is there to help you be healthier.
When you are healthy and pampered, you glow because you are happy. That is where the beauty comes from – happiness. Adding a regular skin care routine to it is only addition and another way to nurture yourself.
As time goes by, your skin will change and it will need a different type of care. Since all your wrinkles, spots and lines are the landscape of your life, embrace them and celebrate them.
