Skin Care Through the Ages

A great complexion in your 40s and beyond starts with a skin care routine in your 20's. Furthermore understanding your skin type (dry, oily, sensitive, combination) will assist you in selecting the right products.

The 20s are the age of prevention. This is the time when lack of care now will be evident in latter years. For instance, over exposure to sun causes damage to the skin but the brown spots will not be apparent till you are in your 40's; squinting in the sun and not using moisturizers can contribute to fine dry lines around the eyes.

Thus caring for your skin in your 20's should consist of cleansing, toning, moisturizing and protection. Additionally, an occasional facial mask to hydrate and draw out impurities and exfoliation to slough off dead skin and promote circulation may be in order. Blemishes can also be a problem in your 20's, for spot treatments consider tea tree oil.

The 30s is the decade of laugh lines and crow's feet. There is a gradual breakdown of collagen and elasticity thus resulting in less elasticity in the skin and the loss of a firm supple texture. Furthermore, the sebaceous glands become less active, and poorly lubricated skin will not retain moisture as it did in the past so our skin becomes much drier.

To make matters worse cell turnover is sluggish thus causing the dead cells to remain on the skin's surface which dulls the complexion. For some, brown spots and uneven color blotches can appear on the skin. At this stage in our life the need to continue with a good skin care routine (cleansing, toning, moisturize/protect) is essential.

At this time you may want to consider a under eye cream or gel. Your skin care products should be filled with anti-oxidants such as Vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene. Selecting skin care products with antioxidants also aids in the in the production of collagen and elastin.

Collagen keeps the skin firm and elastin adds and maintains elasticity in your skin, thus reducing sagging skin and wrinkles. While there are many foods high in anti-oxidants it is not likely that we consume enough. Again, exfoliates and facial masks are in order as part of your skin care routine.

The 40s your skin cell turnover takes twice as long as it did at age 20. The loss of the underlying structure (collagen and elastin) contributes to thinning of the epidermis which leads to drooping eyes, neck wattles and causes the skin to look papery.

Pigmentation also changes creating shadows and blotches and age spots are now apparent on the face, neck, chest, and back of hands. Your skin care routine now should contain anti-aging ingredients such as peptides and retinol to invigorate the skin. Additionally treatments such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion treatments may be in order. Moisturizers should be rich in emollients to soothe dry skin and rich in vitamins to nourish the skin.

The 50s and beyond, you face as reached maturity. The fat padding beneath the skin has diminished so your face shows more of its angles and hollows. As muscle fibers weaken, the fat that remains under the eyes form bags. Facial bones begin to shrink, causing all-around sagging.

Oil production decreases after menopause resulting in significant dryness. As cell turnover rate continues to slow, skin becomes thinner and more prone to wrinkling and drooping. Years of sun exposure or hormonal changes may lead to patchiness or unevenness in skin tone.

As with your 40s your skin care products should contain anti-aging ingredients and be rich in emollients and provide nutrition for the skin. Clay masks that deeply hydrate the skin are in order as well as exfoliation treatments. There are many remedies on the market to lighten brown spots, and special serums that will tighten the skin around the eyes. There are also chemical peels and microdermabrasion treatments that actually slough off the first layer of the skin thus exposing the new skin cells.

While aging is inevitable, start with a good skin care program in your 20's and a healthy diet and your skin will reward you for it latter in life. As you can see our skin changes over time, thus it is necessary to evaluate your skin care program regularly to ensure that you are using the right skin products for your skin type.

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