Are you a woman over 40 looking to take your skincare routine to the next level? As we age, our skin requires different care and attention to maintain its youthful glow. We will explore the best skincare practices for women over 40, helping you empower your beauty and embrace your natural glow. Let’s dive into the world of skincare over 40 and discover the secrets to healthy, vibrant skin.
At 47, I belong to a generation that didn’t prioritize skincare during my younger years. I have vivid memories of visiting tanning beds, using accelerator lotions, sunbathing with baby oil, and even applying SPF 3 mixed with carrot oil during a spring break in Cancun. Looking back, it’s clear that skincare wasn’t a priority for me. I’m sure many of you can relate to these experiences. I hope this post on summer skincare routines for women over 40 provides valuable guidance and reassures you that you’re not alone in this journey.
My skin used to be very oily, but that changed once perimenopause kicked in. Living in Colorado initially posed challenges for my skin, but these issues were eventually resolved through a consistent skincare regimen.
I was a makeup artist in my early 20s and learned so much about my skincare needs. As I am finding now, my skincare needs are changing because of hormone fluctuations and aging in general. Taking into consideration my current skin type which is a combination, slightly oily through the t-zone and dryer around the cheeks. Below you’ll find the type of products Below is not only the list of the type of products you should own but also the products I use. Everyone should have a good skincare routine that they can stick to and that works for their skin type.
Understanding Your Skin After 40
Welcome to the fabulous 40s, where understanding your skin’s needs is the first step to glowing from the inside out. Cracking the 40-code doesn’t just unlock a world of wisdom and experience; it also ushers in a new chapter for your skin. Suddenly, your complexion demands a VIP pass to the hydration gala and an invitation to the elasticity soirée, both of which seem a tad more exclusive these days. And oh, the age spots! Consider them your skin’s way of keeping a diary of all your sunny escapades. But here’s the twist – this is not about mourning the loss of your 20-something skin. Instead, it’s about understanding that your skin now craves a different kind of TLC. It’s time to unlock the mysteries of targeted skincare, where every product and routine is a love letter to your evolving beauty.
I want to preface that I still send snapshots of my sunspots to my bestie and complain about my once-clear skin…..
I do get quite a few questions on where to start with a routine, here’s a reference from my esthetician:
The Golden (Beauty) Rule of Hydration
Hydration is the universal elixir of youthful skin, and arguably the closest thing we have to a real-life fountain of youth. Woman over 40, quenching your skin’s thirst isn’t just a good idea; it’s your secret weapon against the tell-tale signs of time. Imagine your skin as a plump, juicy grape; without a daily dose of hydration, it risks becoming more of a raisin. And while raisins have their charm, let’s agree they’re best left in our snack boxes, not mirrored on our complexions.
Incorporating hydrating serums, moisturizers, and facial oils into your regimen is like giving your skin a VIP ticket to its own hydration party for glowing, dewy, and plump skin. But let’s not forget about sipping water throughout the day. Think of it as the internal splash your skin craves.
After cleansing you’ll want to add your eye cream first. Followed by your choice of serum, then moisturizer, followed by face oil should you need it.
Eye Cream:
Serums:
Moisturizers:
Face Oil:
Sun Protection: Your Skin’s Best Beauty Friend
Let’s chat about your complexion’s ultimate sidekick, sun protection. Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 is your front-line defense, warding off premature aging. But don’t just use it for sunny days and adventures; UV rays are sneakier than they appear, piercing through clouds and windows. Making sunscreen a staple in your skincare routine ensures that every day is a victory against aging.
Dermatologists recommend adding sunscreen AFTER your moisturizer. Since physical sunscreen sits on top of the skin, it never penetrates it. Therefore, creating a barrier between your skin and UV rays, reflecting them away.
Sunscreens:
Exfoliation: Shedding the Old to Welcome the New
Think of exfoliation as your skin’s personal beauty renewal system, a chance to shed the old and welcome the radiant, rejuvenated you lying just beneath. It’s skincare that adds vibrancy and clarity to your complexion’s narrative. As we walk into our 40s, our skin’s natural cell turnover rhythm slows down a tad, somewhat like our metabolism. This slowdown can lead to a congregation of dead skin cells. They hang around, dulling your sparkle and obscuring your skin’s true potential.
Diving into the exfoliation game isn’t about scrubbing your skin into submission. Oh no, this is where gentle exfoliation steals the spotlight. Imagine it as your skin’s fairy godmother, wielding alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or retinoids instead of a magic wand. These star players work to show those dead skin cells the door, encouraging newer, happier cells to surface. The result? A complexion that’s smoother and bright.
According to Kim Gallow Esthetics, “If you have normal skin, you can probably exfoliate two to three times a week. If you have dry skin, you may want to exfoliate only once a week or every other week, and make sure to stay away from harsh exfoliants. If you have oily skin, you can exfoliate three to four times a week if your skin can handle it.”
AHAs:
The Nighttime Nourishment Ritual
First of all, this is where the real nurturing happens. Slip into your coziest pajamas and let’s talk about transforming your evening skin routine into a sumptuous banquet for your face.
Dabbing on a rich night cream or serum is like delivering a VIP invite to rejuvenation and repair directly to your skin cells. They work the night shift, so you don’t have to, diving deep into repair mode while you’re off in dreamland. Imagine each cell plumping up with joy, soaking in a mini spa treatment, all thanks to your savvy product choices.
Why not up the ante with a hydrating overnight mask or dabble in the transformative power of retinol? These nighttime allies act like the skin’s fairy godmothers, turning the clock back while you sleep!
Because retinol can initially be drying, especially if you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to give your skin some time to adjust to it. According to Joshua Zeichner, MD, associate professor and the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai, you’ll want to start sparingly. He recommends starting with no more than every other day for the first 2 weeks. If, after the first 2 weeks, you don’t see any side effects, he says you may want to move up to “2 nights on, and 1 night off.” After a month or so with no side effects, you can likely use it every day if you want.
I often get asked the difference between retinol and retinoid. The short answer is retinoids are a prescription strength skincare product, typically used to treat acne, like name brand Retin-A.
Longer answer, Retinoids are vitamin-A-based skincare products, and retinol is a type of retinoid. Retinol can be found in over-the-counter cosmetic products advertised for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging.
Night Creams:
Serums:
Hydrating Overnight Masks:
Retinol:
Embracing Antioxidants and Anti-aging Beauty Ingredients
Dive into the anti-aging beauty, treasure trove and you’ll find antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients waiting to become your skin’s new best friends. Vitamin C and niacinamide. You’re armoring your skin against free radicals, which are the agents of aging.
Vitamin C is great for most skin types, can help brighten your skin reduce redness and hyperpigmentation, and help promote collagen. Additionally, it provides hydration and may help with sunburns and wound healing.
Niacinamide is wonderful in that it also helps with minimizing pores, regulates oil, minimizes wrinkles, and treats hyperpigmentation. It also helps with treating acne and creating a lipid barrier to help retain moisture. Which is extremely beneficial for mature and or eczema-prone skin.
Now, Let’s introduce peptides and hyaluronic acid, the dynamic duo dedicated to firming up the storyline of your skin. Think of peptides as the architects, designing a firmer, smoother complexion, while hyaluronic acid plays the role of the hydrator, plumping your skin with moisture so fine lines and wrinkles take an intermission.
Peptides can penetrate the outer layer of the skin and send signals telling the cells to produce collagen and elastin. Collagen is made of three polypeptide chains, so adding peptides can stimulate your skin to make collagen. More collagen can lead to firmer, younger-looking skin.
Make sure you choose other ingredients wisely! Peptides work well in tandem with other beauty ingredients, including vitamin C, niacinamide, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acids. Using a peptide with an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) will make the peptides work less efficiently.
Lastly, hyaluronic acid (HA) instantly hydrates the skin; Making skin smooth, supple, and plump. HA can bind up to 1000 times its weight in water! Meaning, it functions as a humectant and holds water molecules onto the surface of your skin to keep it hydrated.
So, let’s roll out the red carpet for these anti-aging beauty superstars. Incorporate them into your regimen and watch your skin take on a starring role in the saga of ageless beauty. Note, that some products can contain more than one ingredient, like my favorite serum from Merit!
Vitamin C:
Niacinamide:
Peptides:
Hyaluronic Acid:
The Role of a Balanced Diet in Skincare Over 40
Picture this: each forkful of vibrant berries, leafy greens, and omega-rich fish is not just a feast for your taste buds but a love letter to your skin. It’s like sending your complexion to a spa, where every nutrient is a pampering treatment, helping to fend off those not-so-welcome signs of aging. Add a handful of walnuts and swap out seed oils for olive oil. Let’s toast (with a glass of antioxidant-rich green tea, of course) to a diet that’s as skin-loving as it is delicious! You can read about how and why I went Paleo here if you need some help incorporating healthier decisions.
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