Contributor Andrea Lawrence
“Skin is a living organ and has the ability to regenerate itself throughout our lifetime”
20’s Skin care in this age range is mostly preventative. Generally there are no signs of ageing.
However, due to living in a ‘free radical attack’ environment, we should keep our skin hydrated, protect our skin from UV rays with an SPF15 in the winter months and SPF30 in the summer, and apply skincare that contain antioxidant protection in order to prevent premature ageing.
Face creams that are packed with antioxidants and sun protection will help to prevent premature ageing.
30’s The first sign of ageing, the skin starts to look dull no longer fresh and peachy. The skin’s cell renewal has started to slow down, the result being fine lines appearing around the eyes and mouth area.
To combat these adverse signs you will need to gently exfoliate the dead skin that is leaving your skin’s appearance dull and less fresh – once a week at the most or every fortnight if you have sensitive or dry skin. Hydrate twice a day with a good moisturiser by day and oil at night.
Face oils and serums at night are fantastic and don’t believe the saying, “They will make your skin more oily”, they won’t, skin loves oils and serums, they will soak into the skin leaving it soft to the touch.
Seek oils and serums containing vitamins A, C & E, to reduce fine lines and even your skin tone. Feed your skin with vital nutrients to help repair your skin, such as essential fatty acids, antioxidants such as vitamins A, C & E to protect your skin and keep your skin tone supple and increase elasticity.
By day use a face cream which is packed with antioxidants and sun protection not less than SPF15, to help hydrate and protect your skin from the sun and pre-mature ageing.
Photo courtesy Beauty Within Me
40’s There is a decrease in the production of elastin and collagen both necessary to retain the skin’s firmness. Therefore the skin starts to sag as the skin cells are no longer retaining sufficient water. You will see noticeable lines and obvious wrinkles, skin looks dull and dry.
To combat these adverse signs you will need to gently exfoliate the dead skin that is leaving your skin’s appearance dull once a week or every fortnight if you have sensitive or dry skin.
Face oils and serums at night will help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduce age spots and hyperpigmentation. During the day use face crèmes packed with essential fatty acids, aloe vera and vegetable glycerine to increase hydration and antioxidants. Skin will look and feel younger. Remember to use sun protection, minimum SPF15 during the winter months, SPF 30 during the summer.
*Sometimes we are inclined to opt for SPF 50, but remember our bodies need the sun to absorb vitamin D.
Remember to cleanse daily and use a cream cleanser as this will keep the skin hydrated and not dry, but remove make up, clogged pores, dirt and dead skin cells Consider using Flower Water as a toner, opposed to alcohol based toners, that will further dry the skin and exacerbate fine lines and wrinkles.
50’s Most of the changes seen in the 40’s will be intensified and your skin will be in need of profuse hydration.
These skincare products are a must: face oils, serums and crèmes containing an abundance of essential fatty acids, antioxidants and SPF15-30, specifically to combat the ageing process, increase hydration and lock in moisture, even your skin’s tone and reducing age spots and hyperpigmentation.
Toulou Tips*:
African American Lady*Your hours of sleep, minutes of exercise, daily diet are all vital during the decades proceeding the 40’s and 50’s. The attention you pay to your body will reward you in the appearance of your skin. Sleep 7 – 8 hours at night, 30 minutes exercise five times a week (a walk, yoga or Pilates), eat healthy daily – the rewards are great.
Photo courtesy Beauty Within Me
*In your 30’s, 40’s and 50’s as stated before the skins ability to regenerate is slowing down. You may want to consider helping the removal of the horny, opaque layer of dead skin that dulls the skins appearance, reduce age spots, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, reduce the depth of fine lines and wrinkles by visiting a specialist – dermatologist or trained therapist that specialises in superficial chemical peels. Superficial chemical peels will assist in the regeneration of fresh new skin cells gently.
**Warning – Always seek a trained specialist to apply chemical peels. Some over the counter products can damage the skin and cause irreversible damage, such as increased hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation (loss of skin colour), in some cases cause burns.
*A recommended beauty treatment that has received rave reviews because of its ability to hydrate the skin and push active ingredients, such as collagen from vitamin C, or green tea and aloe vera into the five layers of the epidermis to give a fresh, more youthful appearance to the skin is the Hydraderm facial or Hydradermie Facial by Guinot.
Love your skin and it will love you back! For more general health and wellness details click Beauty Within Me.
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