As we get older, our skin undergoes numerous changes that become more pronounced after the age of 40. These changes are caused by a combination of internal and external factors. Here is everything you know about the perfect skincare routine in your 40s, 50s and 60s.
One of the main internal factors is a decrease in the production of collagen and elastin – two important proteins that give our skin its firmness and elasticity – which can lead to sagging skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. However, there are various treatments available, such as nose threads treatment, to other non-surgical skin treatments, to address these concerns and enhance the skin’s appearance..
External factors include sun exposure, pollution and lifestyle stressors such as smoking, your sleeping position and repetitive facial expressions. All of these factors accelerate the aging process causing damage to the skin’s function and structure.
When you add hormonal changes to the mix, such as a decline in oestrogen levels, the skin starts to dry out and becomes thinner, losing its elasticity. All these factors work against keeping our skin hydrated and happy.
However, by leading a healthy lifestyle, protecting our skin from external damage, and using the right skincare products, we can slow down the ageing process and keep our skin healthy and glowing. And, as we age, it’s important to adjust our skincare routine but overall, protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is essential.
Skincare Routine in Your 40s
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to prevent sun damage.
- Invest in antioxidants which neutralise free radicals that cause ageing. These include Vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid, etc.
- Exfoliating once a week will help remove dead skin cells, revealing brighter, smoother skin.
As you approach your forties, you may notice more laxity, or a loss of firmness in your skin. This is the time to bring out the personal trainers for your skin: plumping peptides!
Radical Skincare Advanced Peptide Serum is a multi-active, anti-ageing serum that uses the potent properties of peptides to combat wrinkles, uneven skin tone and slackness in the skin. It’s a cocktail of high power actives, antioxidants, reparative and soothing agents chosen for their efficacy. The key ingredients include Vitamin C, Niacinamide (which improves skin texture and strengthens weakened skin), and Argireline, a hexapeptide to relax and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
At $353 NZD it is a hefty price but whatever your skin type, this hydrating serum is the ultimate broad spectrum anti-aging partner that delivers far-reaching results. And a little goes a long way! The serum is absorbed quickly, hydrates your skin without leaving any sticky residue, and calms any redness.
APOTCARE Pure Serum Peptides at $62 NZD, is a more affordable anti-ageing product that still delivers results. You only need to massage three drops onto your cleansed face, morning and evening, before applying your daily moisturiser.
The concentrated formula works quickly to increase firmness and elasticity, diminish fine lines and wrinkles and rejuvenate skin.
“It enables the face to relax, reducing wrinkles with age-freezing effects.”
MECCA
Skincare in Your 50s
- Your skin will need loads more hydration so moisturisers that contain hyaluronic acid or ceramides are perfect..
- Don’t skip the eye cream and apply it gently with your little finger so that you don’t stretch the delicate skin around your eye.
- Use Retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A and a potent anti-ageing ingredient, to help reduce fine lines, wrinkles and age spots.
- Keep up the SPF to reduce any damage from the sun’s rays. This is especially important if you’re using Retinol.
If you’ve got a well-established skincare routine packed with actives, your fifties are the time to supercharge them! Go high-tech with at-home devices that replicate in-clinic treatments such as the NuFace Mini Facial Toning Device which gives pain-free results within two months, or the wrinkle-reducing LED device Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite Faceware Pro.
Boost Lab has a great Skin Advisor Tool that uses facial recognition AI technology to diagnose skin concerns and offers proactive solutions simply from a ‘selfie’ loaded in real time, from the comfort of your home. Give it a go… you’ll be amazed at how accurate the results are!
Skincare in Your 60s
- Use products with collagen-boosting ingredients such as peptides, retinol and Vitamin C to help firm your skin.
- Be gentle with your skin. As we age, our skin becomes thinner and more fragile, making it more susceptible to damage. Avoid using harsh products and instead use gentle cleansers and nourishing moisturisers.
- Don’t forget to prioritise sun protection with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher.
Past 60, you may begin to notice your skin feeling thinner. As we naturally lose collagen, elastin and fat stores below the skin, our oil production also begins to slow down, which can leave skin feeling more fragile. This is the best time to integrate reparative ingredients like ceramides and essential fatty acids that work to nourish and replenish your skin’s barrier.
Emma Lewisham Supernatural Face Crème Riche is a rich, advanced moisturing crème, packed with up-to-the-minute high performing ingredients that are scientifically proven to regenerate collagen at a cellular level. With 32 ingredient sources of plymping hydration, the velvet-like crème deeply moisturises and helps improve the look of fine lines while enhancing skin clarity, glow and suppleness. Expect results you can see and feel.
Dermalogica’s newest innovation, Phyto Nature Oxygen Cream, does wonders to lift and revitalise your skin with its hydrating oxygen-optimising phytoactives. In fact, it’s clinically proven to give your skin four years back! Who wouldn’t want that? Fine lines and wrinkles are minimised and your skin is left looking luminous and revitalised.
The main thing to remember is that it’s never too late to introduce an effective skincare regime to your daily routine to help slow down the effects of ageing. But don’t just guess what skincare you might need… rather, speak to an expert and get their advice.
And don’t forget to add a skin-nourishing healthy diet, eight hours of sleep a night, regular exercise and ensure you aren’t getting stressed too often because skin plays havoc when you are.