You know your skin is sort of a big deal – it is the biggest organ on your body, after all, and having an out-of-this-world glow can make the difference between feeling beautiful or just so-so.
We wash, we exfoliate, we moisturize, we tone – we drink our eight glasses per day in hopes of achieving that ever-elusive perfect, dewy sheen.
The older we get, the more we have to adapt our habits to our skin’s ever-changing needs. That’s why it’s so important for women of all ages to be equipped with the proper knowledge to respond to the changes taking place in their bodies – the skin of a 20-year-old has different needs than the skin of a 47-year-old, but with the proper techniques, every woman can feel like a queen.
According to StyleList.com, “thanks to technology and all that we know about aging today, firm and glowing skin isn’t something you have to leave behind in your youth.”
That doesn’t mean having youthful skin comes without its own bag of issues, however. Many 20-year-olds are still plagued with occasional blemishes.
New York dermatologist Dr. David Bank told StyeList that young women might look for gentle cleansers that contain alpha hydroxy acid, glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide, such as Neova’s Acne Cream.
As you get into your 30s, it’s a safe bet you’ll see less and less of the angry red stuff, but your skin might be less capable of restoring itself. This is about the time when blotchiness, dryness and tiny fine lines begin to appear.
To combat these dulling effects, Dr. Tina Alster recommends focusing on exfoliation and moisturizing, while Dr. Bank mentions that most of the stuff you used in your 20s to fight acne can also still be beneficial for anti-aging purposes. Retinol creams and glycolic acid are especially suited for fine lines and blotchiness, the news source reports.
Those who begin to notice signs of rosacea at this age are advised to avoid a self-diagnosis and to visit a dermatologist. Skin-care professionals usually have the most effective treatments for this inflammatory condition. If you do decide to self-medicate, you can use products such as Phytomer’s Rosee Visage Toning Cleansing Lotion and Accept Neutralizing Cream.
Women progressing into their 40s may see a marked progression of the aging effects they experienced in their 30s “due to weakening of collagen and elastin fibers, loss of fat and muscles, and coupled with gravitational pull,” Dr. Banks told the news source. “It’s not surprising that you will begin to see signs of sagging eyelids, drooping brows and hollowness under the eyes.”
The best advice is to up the strength of the exfoliation and moisturizing process, opting for subtle dermabrasion formulas with microcrystals and moisturizers with lots of glycerin. Bank recommends looking for formulas with anti-oxidants such as grape-seed extract or vitamins A, C and E, the news source reports.
Women aged 50 and over may begin to see more pronounced wrinkles as the moisture and fat content in their skin begins to wane. At this point, lathering on oil-rich moisturizers is a safe bet for the skin, which isn’t as prone to break-outs as it was years ago. Alster recommends products with collagen-building ingredients, such as retinoic acid, and hydrators like hyaluronic acid.
Bank says there’s something to look forward to in your 60s, which may bring skin less prone to hormonal fluctuations and a more defined bone structure. To prevent the dryness and itchiness associated with this age, look for creams with shea butter or serums with phytoestrogens, the news source reports.
Once you’re in your 70s, you can leave the soap behind. Look for soap-free cleansers that will help you retain as much moisture as you can – adding a vitamin C serum can help you with sunspots. Cellex-C Advanced-C Serum will do wonders for blotchiness and uneven skin tone.
And if there is one thing that you do take away from all of this, remember to always put on sunscreen. Applying SPF 20 or greater can be your number one defense against aging, no matter what birthday you’ll be celebrating this year.
