Hi Beauties,
Thank you all for your feedback on the Skincare Needs for Women in their 40s blog. I’m happy you found it informative and beneficial. If you are in your 40s, you can view the blog HERE.
This week, we’re focusing on skincare needs in your 50s. After polling my subscribers, this was routine was highly requested, so let’s get into it.
Thank you all for your feedback on the Skincare Needs for Women in their 40s blog. I’m happy you found it informative and beneficial. If you are in your 40s, you can view the blog HERE.
This week, we’re focusing on skincare needs in your 50s. After polling my subscribers, this was routine was highly requested, so let’s get into it.
What happens to your skin in your 50s?
During this decade, there is a drastic drop in hormones due to menopause (testosterone for men), and the natural signs of aging are clear including a few wrinkles. As your hormone levels drop, collagen production slows drastically. This causes the skin to become dry and sagging will begin or worsen. In order to combat and minimize these, you will need to moisturize your skin well and hydrate continually to help skin retain its elasticity, bounce, and radiance. This is the main focus in your skincare regimen in your 50s.
Let’s see what your skin needs are to keep you looking fabulous.
What are your skin’s needs?
During this time, your skin needs some TLC and luckily not many products are needed, just effective ones.
First, you will need a gentle cleanser: Along with dryness, your skin's elasticity dramatically declines in your 50s. You will need a gentle cleanser that will remove dirt without stripping skin of moisture. Many experts believe your cleanser should be in the form of a cream or oil but that’s not entirely true. I have several customers in their 60s (including my mom) who loves LBBs Performance Skincare™ Exfoliating Face Wash which happens to be a gel. With that said, it doesn’t matter which form of facewash you get, just as long as it’s gentle and doesn’t strip your skin.
Frequency: Cleansing should be performed twice a day (day and night). Your routine may require more if you exercise, etc.
Second, you will need a hyaluronic acid serum: Look for a product that is high in hyaluronic acid to give the skin more moisture. I love hyaluronic acid because it’s a naturally derived ingredient that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It’s very light, thin, and usually is not sticky. It leaves the texture of my skin very smooth with a lovely glow!
Frequency: Hyaluronic serum should be applied once a day before your moisturizer.
Third, you will need a moisturizer that contains ceramides: Ceramide is a lipid (fat molecule) that makes up about 50% of your skin and is found in outer most layer, the epidermis. As you age, your skin becomes thinner—almost transparent in some cases—and loses a lot of the underlying fat layer that keeps young skin smooth and supple.
Ceramide works with saturated fatty acids as well as cholesterol to create a “barrier” that prevents water loss from your skin. By preventing water loss, ceramides can help lock in moisture (prevents dryness), protect your skin and gives your skin a plump appearance.
Frequency: Moisturizer should be applied (after the hyaluronic serum) day and night and any time the skin is cleansed.
Fourth, bring on the Sunscreen:
A basic skin care step that should be a part of your routine is now especially important. Spending long periods of time in the sun without protection can lead to the appearance of visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and dark spots. That’s why you should always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 (I prefer SPF 30) or higher or a moisturizer with SPF.
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 sunscreen to protect collagen in our skin and fend off spots and skin cancers.
Frequency: Apply at least once per day. You will need to reapply if you are in the sun for long periods at a time. Refer to the instructions of your sunscreen on when you need to reapply.
Fifth, Collagen (if needed): Just like those in their 40s, Dermatologists want you to expand your anti-aging regimen to include growth factors and stem cells which are collagen boosters. As mentioned previously, many 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 where this supplemental active is 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.
Please note, I stated “if needed” because the hyaluronic acid may be all you need to get your skin on the right track. I’m all for less is more, therefore if your skin looks great without it, no need to add it.
For more information and determine if and which collagen growers are for you, speak to your licensed dermatologist.
What else can I use or be mindful of?
Retinol: If you are using a retinol treatment, it may be time to lessen the strength or discontinue use. Retinol assists with wrinkles, cell turn over, etc., but it can also dry your skin.
Exfoliation: You may be wondering why exfoliating is not listed as one of the main steps in this routine since cell turnover decreases during this time. Exfoliation is important but when you are in your 50s, your skin becomes thinner and dry. You must be very careful when you are exfoliating your skin. Depending on your skin, you may need to exfoliate as often as you did previously. If so, keep in mind, no matter what you use to exfoliate, do not apply heavy pressure as this can cause your irritation which can lead to infection or dark marks.
Retinol: If you are using a retinol treatment, it may be time to lessen the strength or discontinue use. Retinol assists with wrinkles, cell turn over, etc., but it can also dry your skin.
Exfoliation: You may be wondering why exfoliating is not listed as one of the main steps in this routine since cell turnover decreases during this time. Exfoliation is important but when you are in your 50s, your skin becomes thinner and dry. You must be very careful when you are exfoliating your skin. Depending on your skin, you may need to exfoliate as often as you did previously. If so, keep in mind, no matter what you use to exfoliate, do not apply heavy pressure as this can cause your irritation which can lead to infection or dark marks.
Acne: During this time, if you suffered from acne, it should start to diminish. Nevertheless, if acne does become a problem, you can use an acne cream such as a spot treatment. Spot treatment should be added before your serum.
Beauty Tip: Boost Collagen with Microneedling
Did you know there is a tool on the market that helps your skin to produce collagen naturally? If it called dermarolling also called microneedling.
Microneedling can be a little uncomfortable, but it may be the key to boosting your collagen at home. It does require a careful sterilization regime, though, since it’s puncturing the skin.
When done correctly, microneedling creates a small ‘injury’ to the skin, which in turn can increase collagen and elastin production, improve scars and fine wrinkles, reduce hyperpigmentation, and rejuvenate the skin.
Please note, do not scale up the size of the needle for faster results. Deeper penetrations result in pinpoint bleeding and can offer more improvement. This level of aggression should be performed by a Dermatologist.
Keep these skin care tips in mind and always love the look and feel of your mature skin throughout this new stunning era of beauty.
Until next time,
Beauty Mixtress™
Beauty Mixtress™