Though most of us would like to age gracefully and welcome our advancing years with a smile, it is not easy to remain nonchalant when one’s hair starts greying, or the first wrinkles appear on the skin. These changes occur the most in your 40s, and this is the decade that requires the most effort on your part to maintain clear, unlined skin.
While you might accept that you will no longer look like your 20-year-old self, there is no reason why you can’t stop the signs of time in their tracks for a little bit longer. This article compiles a few essential points to follow for skin care in your 40s:
Your skin in your 40s…
By the time you hit your 40s, your skin is well on its way to undergoing aging, localised disorders due to stress, poor quality sleep or hormonal imbalances. Acne, fine lines, age spots and wrinkles can become a common part of your life. But you can reclaim the dewy complexion you enjoyed in the last decade with some essential skin pampering. Just arm yourself with the best skin care products and read on:
* Exfoliate every week.
Sloughing off dead skin cells is more important in your 40s because your skin cells are more sluggish than they used to be. They need a boost in the form of surface cleansing and exfoliation, which keep the skin’s glow intact and help cellular turnover. Your dermatologist can recommend skin peels and the right exfoliation product, such as a gentle rinsing cream with beads to remove surface impurities and dead skin cells. If using scrubs, take care not to rub with pressure and never use the product more than once a week.
* Boost collagen production to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
The skin’s ability to produce collagen, the protein that keeps the skin soft and unlined, reduces by degrees once you hit your 40s. As a result, your skin appears papery thin and sunken instead of plump and radiant. You can boost collagen production by providing your skin with the right ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, amino acids and retinol. We recommend trying Kaya Skin Care Products’ Anteage Serum that contains Palmitoyl Oligopeptide to boost collagen synthesis and HA in the skin’s inner layers.
* Increase your fluid intake.
Never before has increasing your water intake been as important than it was in the 40s. As the skin struggles to retain moisture, it becomes lined and stressed. Help it by consuming at least one litre of water every day, so that the skin and other major organs of the body may perform well. It adds essential hydration to the skin and complements your daily skin care routine. Another way to boost the skin’s hydration levels is to use a skin care product like a water-based moisturiser.
* Check the neck.
Most women in their 40s are so fixated on turning back the clock on their faces, that they fail to see that the skin on the neck deserves equal attention. The skin on the neck develops deep grooves that are clearly visible, apart from pigmentation and discolouration due to the sunlight. We recommend applying sunscreen lotion liberally on the face and neck – we recommend a light one water-based one from Kaya Skin Care Products containing UVA and UVB absorbers and Ehylhexyl Mehtoxycinnamte – for an even skin tone and hydrated neck skin.
* Use moisturiser and increase anti-oxidant absorption.
As mentioned above, your skin loses its ability to retain moisture in your 40s. But you can help it along by moisturising your skin every single day. This helps cellular skin repair and restoration, and locks in moisture for plump, glowing skin. Meanwhile, boost cellular repair by consuming food and beverages rich with antioxidants, such as green or chamomile tea. You can also use tissue masks that hydrate the skin with serum and provide effective anti-oxidant action.
Staying consistent with your skin care routine and supplementing it with deep sleep, regular exercise and a healthy diet are key to maintaining your radiance in your 40s. Investing in the best skin care products also helps.