Good bye easy-going 30’s, it’s time to tackle the 40’s. And if you’re serious about taking care of your skin, you can make this decade less about wishing you could reverse the clock and more about looking in the mirror and thinking, “Man, I look great!”. Let’s get to work.
Retinoids or Retinol – These are a must. A vitamin-A derivative, retinoids and retinol help speed the renewal of skin cells. When you’re in your 40’s, your skin takes longer to renew, which is why your skin might look dull and could use a little lift. Retinoids are retinol’s bigger, stronger brother, but it’s only available via prescription from a doctor. You will definitely get results using reintols found in many easy-to-find moisturizers, night creams and serums, so feel free to start there and move up when needed. If you want to jump right to retinoids, visit your dermatologist who will write you a prescription and tell you more about the side-effects (redness, peeling, sensitivity to sun).
Peptides – Peptides are amazing. They are tiny little particles in your skin care products that the body sees as little pieces of broken collagen and in turn, the dermis makes more collagen to replace the broken collagen. This helps smooth fine lines and early aging signs. Amazing, right? Find a peptide product, pronto! (ZENMED has one: Essential Undereye Serum.)
Moisturizers – Consider using face oils. There are many anti-aging creams and lotions which work great but many times you don’t know what’s in them. There are so many amazing natural oils that are full of powerhouse antioxidants and vitamins that work just as well or even better. Check out rose hip oil, argan oil and avocado oil if you don’t know where to start. It might be a little nerve-wracking if you’re not use to putting pure oil on your skin, but oils can completely change your skin, hydrate it and give your face even tone, especially if you have dry skin.
Sunscreen – Sure, when you were in your teens and 20’s, the sunscreen recommendations weren’t as strong as they are now, but the recommendations of today are valid. Even if you don’t think you’re going to win the skin cancer lottery (you might!) if you want to slow down aging, sunscreen is the number one way. Apply 20 to 30 minutes before you go outside and reapply every 2 hours at maximum. (As a fair-skin, redhead, I reapply every 90 minutes.) Yes, your makeup or moisturizer counts as your first application if you apply enough, but you need to reapply. We love mineral sunscreen for our face to avoid the greasy sunscreen look.
Diet – Now more than ever, your diet plays a role in how your skin looks. Fill your plate with foods high in vitamins, especially vitamins E, C, D, Omega 3’s and essential fatty acids which are all great for your body, but also good for your skin. Drinking too much alcohol will leave your skin looking dehydrated and will make those dark circles even more of a problem. Drink water and get some exercise every day. It’s about more than looking thin in your 40’s. It’s about keeping your body healthy and able in your 50’s and beyond.
Vitamins in Skin Care – It’s hard to say whether the vitamins in your skin care products really do all they claim to do. In fact, some dermatologists say they don’t. Some vitamins don’t really penetrate the skin deep enough to make a difference, though taken orally, they can make big changes. And often times the packaging of the skin care affects the vitamins longevity. Vitamin C is one example. When introduced to light or oxygen, it starts to oxidize, so packaging is important. A clear open-mouth glass jar might be labeled a Vitamin C product, but it isn’t going to give you the benefits of Vitamin C. Add vitamins to your diet for best results.
Find a Dermatologist – If you haven’t already, now is the time to make friends with a good dermatologist. Ask your friends for referrals and make an initial appointment to go over treatment options. We aren’t talking about injections here (unless you’re ready for the) but treatments that rejuvenate the skin such as lasers, peels or microdermabrasions. As you go through your 40’s and into your 50’s your dermatologist will fill you in on the new treatments and best practices for your skin.m