When does skin begin to age?

Starting at around age 25 the skin will begin to age.  Why 25?  Well, at this point we've been exposed to more life.  More stress, more sun exposure, more sugar in our diets, less sleep.  Our skin's physiological skin functions occur in the dermis and these functions include collagen and elastin production, melanin production, cellular turnover, hydration production, etc.  Once we hit 25 we start losing an estimated 1% of these functions every year.  So by the time we reach 50, we have 25% less collagen, 25% less elastin, and so on.  These numbers can vary according to lifestyle- for example someone who has used tanning beds often will have a lot more melanin and a lot less collagen than someone who avoids them.  But this gives us a general idea.  

Good news- it doesn't have to be this way!  If we can get essential nutrients deep into the dermis, we can give our skin the tools it needs to keep functioning at a high rate. 

What are some of the skin issues we face at age 47-56?

• Skin loses plumpness and tone.
• Skin becomes drier.
• Actinic keratosis can appear.
• Face, chin and neck begin to sag.
• Deeper lines around the mouth, forhead and eyes begin to show.  These are referred to as expression lines, wrinkles that appear from normal wear and tear on the facial muscles from repeated movement.

What essential nutrients does my skin need at this age?

The focus here is on prevention.  Like I stated earlier, we need to give the skin proper nutrients to keep functioning at a high rate.

1. Ingredients for cellular turnover 

Cellular turnover is the process by which new skin cells are generated and old ones are shed.

As we age, cellular turnover slows down, which can lead to a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. This can make skin appear dull and lifeless.

To help improve the appearance of your skin, look for skincare products that contain glycolic acid or retinoids, which are ingredients that help to speed up cellular turnover.

Some good product options are Retinol Micropeel, Enzyme Melting Peel, and Exfoliating Cleanser.

2. Antioxidants   

Antioxidants are nutrients that help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress, which leads to inflammation.

Regular use of antioxidants has been shown to help improve the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots.

Some of the best antioxidants for skincare include vitamin C, vitamin E, and green tea extract.

Confident C Glow Serum is the go-to antioxidant serum for this age group.

3. Collagen Stimulators

As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, which is a protein that helps to keep skin firm and plump. Loss of collagen can lead to wrinkles and sagging skin.

To help improve the appearance of your skin, look for skincare products that contain collagen stimulators such as retinoids or peptides. These ingredients can help to promote collagen production and improve the texture of your skin.

Wrinkle Eraser, Serum No. 9 and Revitalize A Level 1 are packed with these magic ingredients.

4. Pigment Lighteners 

Hyperpigmentation is a common concerns for women in their 40s and 50s.

Hormonal changes during this decade can cause an overproduction of melanin, which leads to dark spots on the skin.

If you're concerned about hyperpigmentation, look for skincare products that contain pigment lighteners such as kojic acid, niacinamide, mandelic acid, and lactic acid. These ingredients can help to brighten the skin and even out skin tone.

Turn to Brightening Peel Pads, Light + Tight, and Intense Dark Spot Corrector.

5. Occlusive Moisturizers

Moisturizers are important for stopping trans-epidermal water loss so our skin cells stay nicely hydrated and plump.  A thicker moisturizer may be appropriate for you skin at this age as your skin becomes drier.

Hyaluronic acid, some oils, and glycerin are excellent ingredients to look for in a moisturizer. 

Oxygen Enrichment and Transformation Cream make excellent choices.

6. Sunscreen

And finally, sunscreen everyday keeps the wrinkles away!  I consider the #1 antiaging product on the market to be sunscreen. 

90% of all aging symptoms that show up on our skin can be traced back to sun damage.

Wear it everyday, rain or shine! This is especially important if you are trying to lighten any type of hyperpigmentation. Try Silky Sunscreen!

 

I highly recommend switching up your products often.  Remember those old P90X commercials that promised amazing results from muscle confusion?  The same holds true for your skin.  Switching your products causes something similar to muscle confusion in that it will not allow your skin to adapt to a product and then stop working.  It will keep pushing your skin to get the best results possible.  Season changes are a great time to change up your routine.  

No matter what your age, taking care of your skin is important! In your 40s and 50s, it's especially important to include key nutrients in your skincare routine in order to maintain healthy and youthful-looking skin.

Be sure to use products with antioxidants, cellular turnover stimulating ingredients, pigment lighteners , collagen stimulating properties ,and hydrating ingredients . Taking care of your skin now will pay off in the long run!

By providing your skin with the right nutrients, you can help slow down the aging process and keep your complexion looking healthy and radiant well into your forties and beyond.