11 Effective Ways to Take Care of Your Skin After Turning 40
Skincare is important at any age, but it becomes even more crucial when you're in your 40s. This is the time when the natural aging process slows down collagen production and reduces skin elasticity, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. Furthermore, hormonal changes can also affect skin texture and firmness. The good news is that a targeted skincare routine will address these issues and help you maintain your youthful complexion.
1. Take a Daily Collagen Supplement
Collagen is a protein that provides structure and elasticity to the skin, keeping it firm and youthful. As we age, collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles and sagging. Taking a daily collagen supplement can improve skin elasticity, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and promote skin repair for a more youthful appearance.
There are plenty of these supplements in the market so a comparison of the best collagen supplements will help you choose one that suits you.
2. Follow a Regular Skincare Routine
This seems like such a basic thing and yet a lot of people don’t follow a regular skincare routine even in their 40s. The main reason for this is that they never got used to a routine when they were younger so they fell into the habit of only washing their face if they felt sweaty or grimy. It’s not too late to start a regular skin care routine that includes facewash, moisturizer and sunscreen.
3. Use Sunscreen Correctly
Apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before you go outdoors and if you are sweating or swimming, you will need to reapply your sunscreen every two hours. Also, make sure that you use enough sunscreen and apply it on every exposed area.
4. Use Products meant for your Skin Type
Identify your skin type and choose products that are formulated to address the needs of your specific skin type. If you have dry skin and you use a product meant for oily skin, your skin will become dry and scaly. On the other hand, if you have oily skin and you use a product meant for dry skin, your skin is likely to feel greasy.
5. Choose a Gentle Facewash
As we age, particularly after the age of 40, sebum production tends to decrease. This is why it is important to use a gentle facewash that cleanses your skin without stripping it of all natural oils. If you have sensitive skin, use a facewash that contains calendula or chamomile.
6. Use an Overnight Retinol Cream
Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A and is renowned for its skin-enhancing properties. It promotes cell turnover (the production of new skin cells, boosts collagen production, reduces wrinkles and smoothens skin texture. You will have to start with a lower concentration and then gradually increase it to avoid skin irritation.
7. Use a Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide
A moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid and niacinamide will do a lot more than just keep your skin hydrated. While hyaluronic acid plumps the skin to eliminate fine lines, niacinamide improves skin elasticity and evens out skin tone. Studies also show that it can also improve hyperpigmented spots and red blotchiness.
8. Exfoliate with Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Exfoliating with alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic acid or glycolic acid improves skin texture, tone, and radiance and promotes collagen production. Limit exfoliation to once or twice a week to avoid over-stripping the skin.
9. Follow a Balanced Diet
There’s a lot more to skin care than simply following a regular skin care routine. If you have a lot of sugar and processed foods in your diet, you are more likely to have breakouts and poor skin tone. However, a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, and lean meats will promote healthy skin that has a youthful appearance.
10. Exercise Daily
Exercise improves skin health by increasing blood flow which promotes skin repair and renewal. Daily exercise also helps you sweat which clears out your pores and prevents clogging.
11. Master Sleep Hygiene
A study on how poor sleep quality affects skin ageing found that chronic poor sleep quality is linked to increased signs of ageing and diminished skin barrier function. If you are used to staying up late, it may take a while for you to adapt to regular sleep timings. Following a pre-bed routine will help you fall asleep quickly and enjoy deeper sleep.
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