Hi Beauties!
It's typical for your skincare needs to change from time to time But what about when we begin to age, particularly women in their 40s. It's during this decade when our skin starts to shift and forces you to realize that you're not in your thirties anymore (I'll be 45 soon).
If you are short on time, you can download the PDF version of this skincare routine below to save onto your device.
So, you may be feeling the aging blues wondering why things are occurring and what you can do to bring youthfulness back to your skin.
After a little digging, my own experience and your questions, I have answered those questions and created a good resource for you to guide your skin back on track.
So, let's check out the needs of your skin in your 40s:
Exfoliate more often, but gently:
Exfoliation will need to increase because during our thirties, the rate in which our cells renewal and collagen production began to decrease. Now that you have reached your forties, the results of the downturn begin to show by dead skin not sloughing off as it used to causing a pileup of dead skin on your face. This results with the skin appearing duller, drier and scaly. And if those pesky wrinkles have begun to occur, the dry skin make them more visible.
Exfoliation will need to increase because during our thirties, the rate in which our cells renewal and collagen production began to decrease. Now that you have reached your forties, the results of the downturn begin to show by dead skin not sloughing off as it used to causing a pileup of dead skin on your face. This results with the skin appearing duller, drier and scaly. And if those pesky wrinkles have begun to occur, the dry skin make them more visible.
Dermatologists also point out that although you are exfoliating more, you need to be gentle. Not only in the pressure you use when exfoliating, but also in the strength of the exfoliant. Popular products now contain higher amounts of Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA), Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA), Lactic Acid and so on, that using these products with amounts higher than 5% or 10% can do more harm than good. Therefore, use these products in low percentages every other day.
But what if you have used these in lower percentages and your skin is still dry, scaly. It is recommended that you move to physical exfoliants such as a scrub with sugar, ground walnut shells, etc. or use an exfoliating washcloth or brush.
Hydrating Serums and moisturizers:
The moisture-trapping molecules in your dermis, like hyaluronic acid, start to diminish in your 40s, which triggers dehydration. The result, collapsing or deflated looking skin. To help plump and re-hydrate your skin, you will need to replace what’s been lost with a serum or moisturizer that includes hyaluronic acid.
The moisture-trapping molecules in your dermis, like hyaluronic acid, start to diminish in your 40s, which triggers dehydration. The result, collapsing or deflated looking skin. To help plump and re-hydrate your skin, you will need to replace what’s been lost with a serum or moisturizer that includes hyaluronic acid.
Antioxidants and Sunscreens:
Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals, unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures. I encourage you to learn more about antioxidants to have a better understanding. Here is a great article via Medical News Today.
We'll always need antioxidants and sunscreen to protect collagen in our skin and fend off spots and skin cancers. But your products may not be the right consistency for your ever-evolving skin. If this is you, you need to retire the oil-free liquids and go for thicker, creamier versions with added hydrators and anti-agers.
Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals, unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures. I encourage you to learn more about antioxidants to have a better understanding. Here is a great article via Medical News Today.
We'll always need antioxidants and sunscreen to protect collagen in our skin and fend off spots and skin cancers. But your products may not be the right consistency for your ever-evolving skin. If this is you, you need to retire the oil-free liquids and go for thicker, creamier versions with added hydrators and anti-agers.
Eye Cream
Many women in their 40s find their upper lids are way more lax than they used to be. You may notice it most when applying eye shadow — there’s suddenly less space to work with, as the skin right beneath the brows starts to drop down, encroaching on that top lid. If this is the care for you, you should invest in an eye cream with retinol or retinaldehyde (a milder form of vitamin A). Both can help improve crow’s-feet, as well. Tap on a tiny bit wherever you can feel bone (not eyeball) under the skin. If you’re sensitive, start by using it just once or twice a week.
Night Cream/Mask
Soothe skin and hydrate by topping off your evening routine with a night cream or sleeping mask. You want to choose a night cream or mask that has moisture-binding humectants (glycerin, hyaluronic acid), natural oils, antioxidants (equally important day and night), and healing ceramides (in short, ceramides help keep your skin hydrated and feeling soft).
Use a collagen grower
When think about anti-aging products, you may think retinoids and peptides. And why not, they are great for making the skin look and feel more youthful. Dermatologists want you to expand your anti-aging regimen to include growth factors and stem cells which are collagen boosters. Many women who are battling dry skin can’t use retinoids as often as they once could—yet they need the collagen boosting now more than ever. This is when these supplemental actives are beneficial. While they repair and replenish skin by different means, both stem cells and growth factors can promote cell turnover and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It is recommended to apply a serum with growth factors or stem cells twice a day.
For more information and determine if and which collagen growers are for you, speak to your licensed dermatologist.
Can collagen be taken internally, yes! Collagen supplements are widely available on the market today. Check out this article by WebMD for more information and decide if these supplements will work for you.
As you can see from the above products, I'm pretty sure it differs from the routine you're used to. Therefore, if you are having issues with dry, scaly skin or if age induced wrinkles are starting to show, it’s time to change up your products/routine and incorporate some or all of the above mentions.
I hope this resource guide was beneficial to you. Let me know in the comments below. If you have found a routine that has been beneficial to you and are over 40, please let us know in the comments below.
Until next time,
Beauty Mixtress™
When think about anti-aging products, you may think retinoids and peptides. And why not, they are great for making the skin look and feel more youthful. Dermatologists want you to expand your anti-aging regimen to include growth factors and stem cells which are collagen boosters. Many women who are battling dry skin can’t use retinoids as often as they once could—yet they need the collagen boosting now more than ever. This is when these supplemental actives are beneficial. While they repair and replenish skin by different means, both stem cells and growth factors can promote cell turnover and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It is recommended to apply a serum with growth factors or stem cells twice a day.
For more information and determine if and which collagen growers are for you, speak to your licensed dermatologist.
Can collagen be taken internally, yes! Collagen supplements are widely available on the market today. Check out this article by WebMD for more information and decide if these supplements will work for you.
As you can see from the above products, I'm pretty sure it differs from the routine you're used to. Therefore, if you are having issues with dry, scaly skin or if age induced wrinkles are starting to show, it’s time to change up your products/routine and incorporate some or all of the above mentions.
I hope this resource guide was beneficial to you. Let me know in the comments below. If you have found a routine that has been beneficial to you and are over 40, please let us know in the comments below.
Until next time,
Beauty Mixtress™