What You Need
to Know about Your skin at Different Ages
Age may be “just a number,” but around
the time that it starts to announce itself on your face, you may
be wondering how you can keep that number to yourself. And while
a host of potions and procedures promise to keep your skin looking
as young as you feel, it can be hard to figure out which ones
actually work. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of
important skin care tips that you should know and follow, depending
on your current age.
30 to 40 years
- This is the time when you might begin to notice fine lines
appearing around your eyes, or that your skin tone looks a bit
uneven. Here’s what to do:
- SPF 15 or higher : If you aren’t already
using a daily moisturizer or foundation with an SPF of 15
or higher, start slathering it on, stat. Look for a product
labeled “broad-spectrum,” meaning it protects
you from both wrinkle-causing UVA rays and burning UVB rays.
- Antioxidants: Environmental agents can break down
collagen and elastin, the supportive fibers that make
your skin firm and elastic. Antioxidants protect existing
collagen and elastin and stimulate the production of new
collagen. Look for products that include idebenone, vitamins
C and E, green or white tea, and grape seed extract.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) - Alpha hydroxy acids
can also help by sloughing off the dead cells that
make skin look dull. AHAs such as glycolic acid (from sugar)
and lactic acid (from milk) are available in concentrations
of up to 10 percent in over-the-counter lotions. If after
4 to 6 weeks you’re not happy with the results, your
dermatologist may recommend an in office procedure that
uses a blend of more-potent ingredients.
- Problem areas to consider:
- Eyes : The eyes have thinner, more-sensitive skin.
As a general rule, if your facial moisturizer doesn’t
irritate the skin beneath your eyes, experts say that you
can go ahead and use it in that area. But if you begin to
notice redness or irritation, you might want to substitute
an eye cream instead. Make sure the cream you choose includes
the basics, such as sunscreen and antioxidants. Look for
ingredients like
caffeine and magnolia extract to reduce puffiness; cone
flower to cool and soothe; or vitamin K to lessen
dark circles.
- Breakouts : Up to 50 percent of women over age
25 have adult acne. Hormones are most likely the problem.
To target breakouts without over drying your skin, wash
your face twice daily with a gentle non soap lotion, and
avoid harsh toners that contain alcohol. Use a non comedogenic
(non-pore- logging) moisturizer with moisture-attracting
humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, but stay away
from pore blockers such as mineral oil and lanolin.
40 to 50 years
-
This is when skin starts to look blotchy,
with small dark spots and some red areas. You may also notice
your skin feels dry or rough, and it may appear a little dull.
Here’s what to do:
-
Lightening Ingredients : plotchy
appearance stems from a combination of skin type and sun
exposure. Over-the-counter products that contain lightening
ingredients such as hydroquinone can help fade dark spots
on skin of every shade. You may also want to consider
microdermabrasion, in which tiny aluminum oxide crystals
are blown onto he skin and then vacuumed off along with
dead cells. But if your skin is extremely rudy or blotchy,
a chemical peel performed in a doctor’s office is
a better bet.
-
Humectants : As you age, decreasing
estrogen levels influence the production of other substances
in your body, such as hyaluronic acid (a naturally occurring
chemical that helps keep skin firm). Oil production also
slows down, reducing natural lubrication. To help counteract
these changes, use creams that contain humectants (like
glycerin, citric acid, propylene glycol, urea, and phospholipids)
and emollients (such as petrolatum, shea butter, and cetyl
alcohol) to seal in moisture.
-
Problem areas to consider:
-
Frown Lines and Furrows : Moisturizers
or makeup with light reflecting particles can help reduce
the appearance of deep lines. Tiny flecks create an optical
illusion that cuts your face into soft focus, helping
camouflage imperfections. If you’ve got the money
and the inclination, Botox injections are another option.
A purified form of the botulinum toxin, Botox blocks the
signals that re transmitted from nerve fibers to facial
muscles, temporarily paralyzing them. Within a week or
so, furrows become less noticeable and stay that way for
about 3 to 6 months.
50 Years & Above
-
This is when you’ll start to notice sagging
skin in the neck area. Also, after years of sun exposure,
you may have age spots covering your hands and chest. Here’s
what to do:
-
Retinoids, AHAs, and Antioxidants :
Combination of these treatments can help smooth out some
of the fine lines on the surface of the neck, fade brown
spots, and improve skin tone overall. If you want moredramatic
and faster results, ask your dermatologist about lasers.
Treatments are now being used to tighten the muscles in
the neck area, which may help give it a firmer appearance.
-
Bleaching Agents : The skin on
your hands and chest tends to be thinner and more delicate
than other areas. For hands, a year-round lotion with
sunscreen and AHAs is a good choice. To fade minor age
spots, try a bleaching cream that contains hydroquinone;
it’s available over the counter in 2 percent concentrations.
Darker spots may call for professional help. A dermatologist
could prescribe a potent bleaching agent combined with
a retinoid or a cream containing vitamin C and AHAs.
-
Problem areas to consider:
-
Lips : If you’re lips seem
to be getting thinner, it’s because they tend to
lose moisture and collagen over time. However, new balms
and treatments can create the impression of fullness.
Primers can be applied under color to fill in lines and
emphasize the shape of your mouth. Also, using balms containing
ingredients like menthol and vitamin C will help make
lips look more luscious.
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