4 Tips for Anti-Aging Skin Care in Your 40s

Posted in: Decades of Beauty by Laura Foreman

Anti-aging skin care in your 40s is especially important because these are the years of perimenopause—the period leading up to menopause—when the levels of estrogen in your body begin to decline. The hormonal shift often causes skin to thin out and lose elasticity, which is why you may notice more pronounced sagging of the skin around the neck and chest.
Anti-aging skin care in your 40s also addresses the fact that over time, your skin tends to retain less moisture. As a result, it can look dull and uneven in tone. You may also notice that your skin feels drier than before—all the more reason to pay better attention to anti-aging skin care in your 40s.
If you’ve been lucky enough to not see any wrinkles, now’s the time you’ll probably spot the first one. Think of everything your skin has been through over the past 40 years: cumulative sun damage, poor diet, health conditions, poor lifestyle habits, and an array of skin care products to name just a few. A proactive approach to anti-aging skin care in your 40s can help to remedy some of the damage that’s already been done.
Here’s everything you need to know to master anti-aging skin care in your 40s.
Tip #1: Hydrate
For anti-aging skin care in your 40s, a good way to hydrate your skin is to use a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid, an ingredient that attracts water. Facial masks are also useful for providing extra hydration for anti-aging skin care in your 40s—use them after exfoliating, which is when skin is more penetrable.
There are other skin care ingredients in the marketplace that help stimulate the functions of hyaluronic acid, such as Matrixyl synthe ’6.
Tip #2: Brighten
If done properly, anti-aging skin care in your 40s can improve dull looking skin, which is common because the cell turnover in your body slows down with age. Start by ensuring that you always remove your makeup before bed so that your pores can breathe and your skin can repair itself overnight. This is step one in any skin care routine, but it’s especially critical for anti-aging skin care in your 40s.
Next, use a cleanser and toner with glycolic acid as part of a daily routine for anti-aging skin care in your 40s to help remove dead skin cells for a healthier, more youthful glow. A chemical peel is also an option. It removes the top layer of skin on your face to even out your complexion and smooth fine lines.
Exfoliating is another key component of anti-aging skin care in your 40s, not just for your face, but for your whole body. Gently exfoliate two to three times a week at night.
Tip #3: Zap Pimples
Acne is a common concern for anti-aging skin care in your 40s, especially around the mouth and jaw line. Once again, you can thank your changing hormones. Rather than swap all of your products, use a spot treatment on the trouble areas. It’s cheaper and much more effective for anti-aging skin care in your 40s.
Tip #4: Protect
At this age, visible damage to your skin really begins to show, and a lot of that damage is from sun exposure. That’s why such a big part of anti-aging skin care in your 40s is about protection—your skin is thinner now, and therefore much more susceptible to serious damage than it was in your 20s.
Many skin care products now contain SPF; however, you should still make a habit of wearing sunscreen (with at least SPF 30) everyday and all year round. The smartest trick for anti-aging skin care in your 40s is to reapply it every two hours, especially if you’re in direct sunlight.