After 40, the skin begins to undergo changes. Some of the most common? The tone is lost, the pores dilate and expression lines become more marked. The production of sebum decreases over the years, so dehydration becomes a significant problem for mature skin. The effect of sun damage also begins to be felt at this age. Seeing how your skin changes can be frustrating. However, you can take steps to slow the process down, such as updating your skincare habits, choosing products for mature skin, and changing your daily habits.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Update Skin Care
Step 1. Wash your face twice a day
Over the years the skin becomes more and more sensitive and loses elasticity. Consequently, you need to pay more attention to your daily routine. Wash your face with warm water once in the morning and once in the evening, before going to bed. Use a mild cleanser with a creamy consistency, which will not completely drain the oil.
- Before cleansing, wash your hands well to avoid contaminating it with bacteria.
- After cleansing, gently pat your face dry with a soft towel. Never rub it.
- If you have oily or acne-prone skin, try a cleanser that contains salicylic acid or sulfur. Unless you have visible acne lesions, avoid products containing benzoyl peroxide - it's too harsh a chemical for mature skin.
Step 2. Apply the toner a few minutes after washing your face
Cleansing alters the natural pH of the skin, while the tonic allows it to be rebalanced. When the skin's pH is recovered, the inflammations begin to be less frequent and the skin becomes more resistant to bacteria. After washing, wait a few minutes before gently wiping a cotton ball soaked in toner all over your face. Don't rinse it off.
- Avoid applying the toner to the eye area.
- For best results, use an alcohol-free toner.
Step 3. Apply a moisturizer with sun protection factor
Regular hydration is essential for any mature skin. After washing your face and applying the toner, massage in a thin layer of nourishing moisturizer. It will plump the skin and visibly minimize wrinkles. If you plan to go out, make sure you choose one that has an SPF of at least 30. Using sunscreen is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent premature aging, sun damage and wrinkles.
- If you have oily skin, choose an oil-free moisturizer. Gel formulations are the lightest.
- If you have dry or sensitive skin, use a richer, fuller cream formulation.
Step 4. Wear less makeup
You may be tempted to tread on your hand to correct skin imperfections due to aging, but this unfortunately only makes the situation worse. Makeup penetrates wrinkles, drawing attention to them. For mature skin, it is good to focus on simplicity. Look for a hydrating and light formulation. Tinted moisturizers that offer light coverage are just as good.
- When shopping for makeup, look for mineral formulations, which protect the skin and act as a sunscreen.
- Unlike other formulations, mineral makeup does not set in wrinkles and does not clog pores.
- Always remove your make-up before going to sleep. Going to bed with makeup on can cause chronic inflammation, irritation and damage to mature skin.
Method 2 of 3: Choose the Right Products
Step 1. Identify your skin type
It is important to buy the right products, otherwise you will not be able to take care of them effectively and you risk worsening the problems you suffer from. There are five most common skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination and sensitive. When buying a product, read the label to understand its function. In addition, ailments such as acne, rosacea and inflammation must be considered when choosing a cosmetic.
- Normal skin has occasional impurities, but in most cases it is smooth, soft and firm. It has no evidently greasy or dry and chapped parts. The pores are slightly dilated or medium in size.
- Dry skin is tight and annoying. Some areas are visibly red and chapped or bumpy.
- Oily skin appears greasy and shiny. It is moist to the touch. The pores are generally more dilated and imperfections appear more frequently.
- Combination skin is oily in the nose, chin and forehead area. The cheek area tends to be dry and cracked. The other parts are normal.
- Sensitive skin becomes inflamed and irritated when it comes in contact with chemicals in cosmetics and other products. It generally causes a burning sensation and suffers from redness. It can react to climatic changes and also to food, depending on the subject.
Step 2. Choose delicate products
Avoid those containing harsh chemicals and perfumes. Opt for alcohol-free cleansers and tonics. Check the label - it should indicate that the product is delicate and fragrance-free. If you have acne-prone skin, look for cosmetics that don't clog your pores: they carry labels like "non-comedogenic" and "oil-free".
- As the skin ages, the skin tends to become more sensitive. It is possible to combat irritation by choosing gentle products.
- Since the skin loses its elasticity over time, be sure to apply the products gently. Avoid rubbing aggressively and pulling - they can damage it.
Step 3. Consider using an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or retinoid product
These active ingredients can reduce the signs of skin aging by promoting and accelerating cell turnover. Both can slightly irritate the skin, so go step by step. A retinoid product should be applied every three days for two weeks, until the skin gets used to it. Then, progressively switch to using it every night. Retinoid products can be prescribed by a dermatologist, but there are also over-the-counter products.
- Over-the-counter products contain smaller amounts of retinol - look for one at 1%, which is the highest concentration of creams available over the counter.
- Once your skin gets used to the evening application of retinoids, start replacing them with an AHA-based product twice a week, as it can enhance the anti-aging effect.
Step 4. Gently exfoliate your skin once a week
Exfoliating products help smooth out dry spots and fight flaking, which tends to highlight wrinkles and pores. Choose a gentle formulation: after the scrub, the skin should not be red or painful to the touch. You should exfoliate it after washing it or use a cleanser with exfoliating properties. The toner and moisturizer should be applied after the scrub.
- Exfoliation also helps her to absorb products better.
- Don't exfoliate more than once a week. Overdoing it can damage mature skin.
- If you have sensitive skin, consult a dermatologist before you start exfoliating it.
Method 3 of 3: Adopt Good Habits
Step 1. Rest well
The skin has to deal with trauma, toxins and environmental damage every day. During sleep it repairs itself, so the amount of hours you sleep has a direct and visible effect. A healthy adult should sleep seven to nine hours a night, so try to rest for at least seven hours.
- Sleeping well can help slow down the effects of skin aging.
- It also reduces stress, which can contribute to premature aging.
- Sleep deprivation can make mature skin dull and dull. It can also make other skin conditions worse, such as acne and rosacea.
Step 2. Avoid touching your face and squeezing pimples
Touching the face causes the transfer of bacteria and sebum residues, which can lead to impurities and clog pores. If you really have to touch it, for example when you cleanse it or apply a product, first wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap.
- Never squeeze or touch blemishes and avoid teasing the skin.
- Unfortunately, these vices can cause permanent scarring, especially in the case of mature skin.
Step 3. Hydrate
As skin ages, sebum production decreases, so skin can appear dry and dull. Fight the problem by hydrating yourself well every day. The recommended daily amount of fluid for a healthy adult is approximately 13 glasses (3 liters) for men and 9 glasses (2, 2 liters) for women. Try to hydrate yourself by drinking mostly water, but drinks like fruit juices, sports sodas, teas, and water-containing foods (like watermelon) can be just as effective.
If you exercise or sweat more than usual, add 1.5-2.5 glasses (400-600 milliliters) of fluid per day
Step 4. Protect your skin from the sun
It is essential for mature skin. Ultraviolet (UV) rays have been shown to accelerate skin aging, in fact they are among the main causes of the problem. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply it every day to your face and neck, whether it's raining or sunny. If you intend to expose yourself, put it all over your body and repeat the application every two to three hours.
- Whenever you can, wear clothes that cover you from the sun, a wide-brimmed hat and glasses to protect yourself even more.
- Try not to expose yourself to direct sunlight for prolonged periods, look for areas in the shade.
Step 5. Avoid smoking cigarettes
Cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals and toxins that damage the skin, regardless of age. However, this damage increases over time. Smoking makes the skin dry and the complexion dull. It contributes to premature aging, especially in the mouth area, and the skin loses softness.
- If you smoke, talk to your doctor about how to quit.
- If you don't smoke, do what you can to avoid secondhand smoke.
Step 6. See a dermatologist
If the situation worries you or you are looking for other solutions, make an appointment with a dermatologist. Everyone has a different skin: a doctor can evaluate yours, giving you personalized suggestions and solutions. If you've tried over-the-counter retinoids and aren't happy with the results, a dermatologist may recommend different products and prescribe stronger retinol-based formulations.
