Taking care of your skin is a must at any age. But once you cross 40, you need to kick it up a notch with a few extra steps. Age really takes a toll on your skin. It weakens the collagen structures impacting the texture and tone of your skin. The result, you are left to grapple with ugly wrinkles and blotchy sagging skin.
While you simply can not turn the clock back on life, you can at least age gracefully. And, here are 10 beauty and skin care tips to do so.
1. Go easy on the makeup
Women over 50 should opt for light, more natural looking makeup. Make sure you are using the right makeup. The makeup items should be of good quality. It should also be designed for your skin type.
2. Do not step out without sunscreen
The sun causes more damage to your skin than anything else. It is the culprit for wrinkles and brown spots. Build your skin's defense by applying a sunscreen every day. Slather it generously on your face, neck and hands. Do not set for any sunscreen less than 30 SPF. Carry a travel size sunscreen in your handbag so that you can reapply it whenever necessary.
You can also reduce exposure to the sun by wearing long sleeved shirts, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat.
3. Soothe dry skin
A common complaint in women over 50 is that their skin appears parched and listless. It tends to get flaky at times. This is due to its low moisture content caused by frequent sun exposure. Also, with age, the body's natural ability to produce moisturizing oils is reduced.
One way to restore skin moisture is to use a moisturizer. You must moisturize the skin after a bath or a wash. You can lose lotions as well as essential oils such as almond oil. Vitamin E is an important compound in any skin product.
Do not use cleansers that dry out the skin further. Test the product before you go all out and apply it. Opt for a creamy cleanser that leaves your face soft and supple after every wash. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water. In addition to that, you must also eat a healthy diet.
4. Avoid very hot water
Your bathing water should not be too hot. It robs the skin of its natural oils making it look dry. Let the water be lukewarm. If your skin is excessively dry, avoid washing your skin too often.
5. Exfoliate on a weekly basis
Your skin repairs itself on a daily basis. The dead cells accumulate on the top layer of the skin. It is this layer of dead skin that gives you a tired look. Here, exfoliation on a weekly basis is a must. You must exfoliate your face as well as the body. The dry brush exfoliation technique before a bath really works wonders for your skin. It not only gets rid of dead cells but also improves blood circulation helping conditions such as varicose veins.
You can use some of the readymade facial masks and body scrubs. However, if you are only about about using natural ingredients on your skin, you can make your own body scrubs.
6. Give up smoking
Smoking causes premature skin aging. So, stop smoking.
7. Anti-aging creams
While most people disclaimer the need for anti-aging creams, you can use them to supply your skin with a little more collagen. Collagen is the structural protein that holds your skin together. There is a less amount of collagen produced as your grow older. Also, the fibers become weaker resulting in saggy, droopy skin.
Anti-aging creams help boost the natural production of collagen in the body; Thus, they play a crucible role in skin repair and rejuvenation. They make the skin firmer. However, do review the products well before you buy and use them. Vitamin A products are great at improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Most of them are only available as prescription products.
8. Get enough sleep
It's not called beauty sleep for no reason. The skin repairs and regenerates itself while you sleep. Getting 6 – 8 hours of deep sleep will conveniently take care of skin issues such as dark circles, puffy eyes and fine lines around the mouth.
9. Exercise to the rescue
Exercise can also change the way your skin looks as it improves blood circulation. It also regulates other body functions ensuring the nutrients are properly distributed across the body.
10. Check your skin
You should inspect your skin regularly. Sudden changes in the texture or tone must be brought to the notice of your doctor.
When dealing with aging skin, there's one thing you need to remember. You might not be able to look younger than you really are. But you can definitely look good for your age and comfortable in your own skin!