It's never too early to adopt healthy skincare habits. But is there ever a time it’s too late?
In short, the answer is NO! As women enter their 40s, there are a slew of changes happening in the body. Skin turnover slows, sun damage becomes more evident, skin’s elasticity decreases, and hormonal changes occur. It’s a perfect time to evaluate and possibly modify your routine to make sure you’re using the right ingredients that nourish your skin for this season in life.
A Guide to Skincare in Your 40s
In addition to getting enough sleep and being mindful of how you manage stress, we’ve put together some important habits to adopt in your 40s:
Hydrate
Drinking sufficient water is always key, no matter what decade in life you find yourself. Half your body weight in ounces is an excellent rule of thumb. If you're not crazy about plain water, try infusing it with fruit and herbs.
Exercise
If exercise hasn’t been a part of your weekly routine, now is the time to add this crucial activity. Moving your body increases blood flow to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your skin and helps balance hormones for optimal health. It’s also been proven to reverse signs of aging, even later in life.
Vitamin C
Applying a vitamin C serum daily helps fade pigmentation, brighten skin, and protect skin from harmful pollutants. Typically vitamin C is applied once (am), sometimes twice (am/pm), daily depending on product instructions.
Collagen Supplements
Taking collagen supplements daily provides skin with needed proteins. As we age, our skin’s collagen production declines, and so does our skin’s elasticity. Adding a collagen supplement may help promote skin hydration and improve elasticity, resulting in vibrant skin health.
Eye Cream
Adding an eye cream to your daily routine, as well as nightly gives this delicate area the needed attention it requires. Look for a morning eye cream with vitamin C to protect and prevent unwanted damage, and a night-time eye cream with retinol and/or peptides to support skin renewal and repair.
Food Check
Eating whole foods rich in vitamins and minerals will help not only your body stay strong, but will encourage your skin health. Bone loss increases as estrogen production decreases. Studies have shown women with lower bone density are more likely to have deeper wrinkles.
Plus, the bones on the face work as a scaffold to support the skin and structure of your face. Losing bone mass, makes this skin appear to sag more dramatically on the face. Feeding your body and bones calcium rich foods will help fight the effects of aging.
Retinol
Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, encourages new skin cell production, reduces the appearance of fine lines and evens skin discoloration. Adding a nighttime step with this ingredient will reap huge benefits.
Sun Protection
As you introduce more active ingredients into your skincare routine, your sensitivity to the sun may increase. Be sure to always wear SPF, and when in the sun for prolonged periods, wear a hat and find shade. By protecting your skin from harmful UV radiation each and everyday, you will help prevent further damage.
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical review board here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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