By the 40’s, hopefully you’re already committed to a good skin care home care routine. By putting in the extra effort, you’ll get the reward of healthier, younger-looking skin down the road. The skin will certainly behave differently under the influences of hormones, but how do they affect it from ages 40-50? These are the peri-menopausal years, and this stage of aging can occur up to ten years before actual menopause. Peri-menopause is when the estrogen slowly starts to decline. Estrogen is very involved in the normal function of the skin. It directly affects the function of key cells in the skin, like the fibroblasts (produces collagen and elastin), keratinocytes (closely involved in skin protection) and melanocytes (involved in evenness of skin color, etc.). It also helps regulate hair follicle function (hair production) as well as sebaceous gland activity (producing skin oils). While the hormonal changes are gradual, many will notice an increase in lines around the eyes, between the eyebrows, on the forehead and around the mouth.
As your skin changes through the years, it’s important that your skin care regimen evolves with it. So how do you choose which products to use? There are so many anti aging products on the market, let me suggest some ingredients to seek out in your skin care products if you’re in your 40’s.
Retinol – Whether it’s a product that includes retinol, or a prescription retinoid, I highly advise using this result promising ingredient. Vitamin A derivatives are incredible for skin. They help reverse sun damage, fight lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture and build collagen. What more could you ask for out of this product! The most beautiful skin I treat in my practice belongs to those who have been using a retinol/retinoid religiously.
Skin Lightner – Did you know that melanocyte cells decrease about 10% every decade after the age of 30 which results in irregular pigmentation? Using a natural skin lightener like Vitamin C&E treatment is really important to fade brown spots. Also, researchers have found that when you use a serum containing BOTH vitamin C and E under sunscreen, it helps to provide four times the protection of sunscreen alone.
Antioxidants – These help protect skin against ultraviolet radiation, as well as environmental insults like pollution. They help neutralize free radicals that form as a result of injury to the skin and minimize DNA damage. Not only are they protective to skin, but they also help reverse signs of aging.
Sun Screen – Just because you don’t sunbathe doesn’t mean you’re not getting the UV damage. Wear a sunscreen built into your moisturizer, applied to both your face and neck, rain or shine, inside or out—and your skin will thank you for years to come! I highly recommend daily protection SPF 30 for those in their 40’s since it’s very lightweight and will not clog the pores.
