You may miss the soft and supple skin of your youth, but the fact is, we all age, and the signs of aging are often the first to show up on our faces.
Whether you’re 20 or 80, though, caring for your skin is important to prevent wrinkles, fine lines and age spots. Here’s how to care for different skin types through the years.
Skin care in your 20s
Wrinkles are probably the furthest thing from your mind when you’re in your 20s, but if you don’t treat your skin properly now, you will almost certainly have wrinkles later. And even though you don’t realize it, your skin is going through changes that aren’t yet noticeable.
The biggest threat to this age is collagen production. The loss of collagen has been known to contribute to fine lines, sagging and wrinkles. You can slow down collagen loss by wearing sunscreen when outdoors, as UV exposure contributes to collagen breakdown.
Acne is another problem for those in their 20s. It can be hormonal or related to medications, or it could be related to stress. To help with this, choose a gel-based cleanser, use toners with alpha hydroxy acids, and use a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid.
Get plenty of sleep, too, as your skin replaces dead cells and restores new ones as you slumber.
Skin care in your 30s
This is when you may start to see the first fine lines, wrinkles and signs of sun damage appear. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going out into the sun, and be sure to reapply every two hours.
If you spent a lot of time in the sun as a teen and young adult, you are at a higher risk of wrinkles, dark spots, and skin cancer. You may also see that you have a loss of volume around your cheeks and eyes due to collagen loss. Add an exfoliation element to your cleansing routine, along with eye cream.
Skin care in your 40s
At this point, you are probably most concerned with the loss of elasticity in your face. Continue to use sunscreen and vitamin C to prevent further sun damage. At this age, hyperpigmentation also becomes very common, due to decades of sun damage. Drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin. Use a toner with aloe to rebalance your skin and replenish lost moisture. Exfoliation is key in your 40s if you want to maintain a healthy complexion.
Use products containing peptides, which can help with sagging skin, appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and elasticity. Many people consider Botox in their 40s to relax muscles, improve expression lines, and replace lost volume.
Skin care in your 50s
Dry skin and loss of moisture are very common ailments as we enter our 50s, helped along by a decrease in ceramide levels that serve to weaken the skin barrier. This results in:
- increased sensitivity
- dryness
- dullness
- redness
- irritation
Use moisturizing creams with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to prevent this from occurring.
Menopause can change the appearance of skin, too, due to fluctuations in hormone levels causing facial fat to redistribute. As a result, your face may look more hollow, thin and aged. Dermal fillers can restore the inner structure of the face and help with volume loss.
The effects of bone density loss and osteoporosis may also be more prominent at this age. You can reduce this risk by consuming:
- Lots of protein, such as lean meats
- Foods high in calcium, such as yogurt and cheese
- Foods rich in vitamin D, such as fish and eggs
- Foods rich in vitamin K, found in green, leafy vegetables
You may also want to take a collagen supplement and do some strength training.
Skin care in your 60s and beyond
You will continue to notice the cumulative effects of sun exposure, which can show up in the form of dark spots. You should still continue to wear sun protection so they don’t get darker. You may want to try at-home skin brighteners and lightening creams as well. It’s also a good idea to exfoliate a few times per week.
Use products with retinol, which has been known to boost elasticity in post-menopausal women.
Moisturize your whole body, not just your face. Signs of aging become more noticeable as you lose volume and your skin appears thin and crepey.
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