Through the decades, our skin care regimen should change with the changing needs of our skin. Additions and modifications are done, but the care never ends, just grows. But the earlier we start, the longer we can delay the signs of aging. The compliments are worth it, aren’t they?
Teens
The biggest skin issue teens are obsessed with is acne. While it is important to correct this and keep your skin clean, balanced and hydrated, young ladies in their teens need to concentrate on one thing for anti-aging: Sunscreen!
While many are using makeup and dressing to look older, they should really be concentrating on preventative care to protect themselves and stay young. About 70% of the sun damage that we put our skin through occurs before the age of 30 and it won’t show itself for decades. A full-spectrum sunscreen that blocks out 100% of UVA and UVB rays will protect you the best. I recommend using at least SPF 30 daily, but preferably SPF 45 or greater when you know that you are going to go enjoy the outdoors. By the way, many of the most popular sunscreens from the most popular brands don’t protect as well as they claim!
Some of the best sunscreens are from Solar and SkinCeuticals (which are both found in medical offices). The best one found in your drug store is La Roche Posay, but make sure it has Mexoryl (provides full spectrum protection) in it. You’ll thank me in 20 to 30 years. And please don’t start smoking!
Twenties
Ladies in this age group should continue to protect themselves from the sun. Serious and repetitive sunburns will set you up for skin cancer as well as premature aging. Most skin care issues start with lack of care and this is the time that it starts to accumulate, before we realize a little too late that it doesn’t even begin with the skin. Not enough sleep, too much alcohol and smoking will age you faster than you think. For the skin, it’s time to stop using over-the-counter acne products, which were fine for oily skin but will likely leave your skin too dry and undernourished.
Paying a little extra for high quality products designed for your specific skin type will go a long way. While I believe the best products are medical grade, some pretty good stuff can be found in the malls and drugstores as well.
Many women will start to consider preventative measures against forming deep lines and furrows in their mid-late twenties. Botox or Dyport a couple times a year will help prevent the deep lines from repetitive facial expressions. Stress and long hours at work can begin to take their toll early, frequently around the eyes to cause puffiness, dark circles and lines. It’s not too early to begin using an eye cream or serum to combat as well as prevent these problems. I would recommend one with vitamin C and/or E, which are potent antioxidants. SkinCeuticals and SkinMedica make some very good products for these eye problems.
Thirties
Your skin will now start to lose its elasticity and firmness due to the breakdown of collagen. Also, the combination of decreased ability to retain moisture and decreased cell turnover rate (meaning the dead skin cells stay on longer) results in a duller complexion. The natural aging process of your thirties results in the development of laugh lines, crow’s feet, and furrows.
While Botox/Dyport will help eliminate active lines from forming, you need to do more to minimize the lines that have formed if you didn’t start to take care of your skin earlier. Facials, microdermabrasion, and light chemical peels (salicylic acid, glycolic acid, Jessner’s peel) will brighten your face and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your face a youthful glow. Using a facial buffer or exfoliant with fruit acid on a regular basis, found at any drug store, will also polish your face and remove the dull skin. Finally, regular exercise, eating right, and drinking adequate amounts of water will help take care of your skin from the inside.
Forties
This is the decade when women really show their aging, especially if they go through an early menopause- the loss of estrogen will decrease skin elasticity, firmness, and moisture. The number one sign of aging is excessively dry skin. Learn the skin care basics of your own skin type (oily, dry, normal, combination) and ask a medical professional for recommendations based on your skin type and needs.
Also, the sun exposure of our youth really catches up to us! We see uneven texture and pigmentation creating shadows, blotches and age spots, and the continued loss of collagen and elastin from our skin results in more lines, wrinkles, and looseness. Over the counter skin care usually isn’t strong enough to make a significant impact, so you should consider the use of medical grade product lines found in medical offices. Begin using a retinol, or even Retin-A, as well as antioxidant serums if you haven’t already started.
You should seriously consider adding chemical peels and microdermabrasions to your skin care protocol, if you haven’t started yet. These will stimulate the growth of new cells and collagen formation. It’s also time to consider injectables to slow or even reverse some of the effects of aging and delay the need for surgery.
Fifties
As our faces continue to mature, more angles and hollows begin to show as gravity pulls down the fat pads of our cheeks, which also begin to shrink, losing the fullness of youth. With the skin cell cycle continuing to slow, our skin becomes thinner and more prone to wrinkling and drooping. Retin-A or an anti-aging regimen should definitely be considered. This will help reduce the fine lines and wrinkles and improve texture and tone. Some women also consider hormone replacement therapy to improve the firmness and elasticity of their skin. If you haven’t already started, it’s time to see your cosmetic surgeon for injectables and chemical peels to rejuvenate your face as well. If these aren’t enough to give you the results you want, it’s time to consider plastic surgery.
Sixties and Beyond
Increased thinning and dryness of our skin makes it more vulnerable to environmental damage and prone to irritation. Skin care needs are more demanding and products with more emollients are needed to protect and hydrate your skin. Decreased circulation in our skin lightens it, making age spots and other problems more apparent. A skin lightening serum with products like arbutin, kojic acid, emblica, or hydroquinone will help correct uneveness in coloration as well as spots.
source: mygloss
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