Your Complete Guide to Looking Fabulous at 50

Looking your best at 50 and beyond

As a woman nearing 50, you have unique skincare needs. Maintaining a healthy, youthful appearance all boils down to how well you take care of yourself. And that means treating your body and your skin right. From daily maintenance to professional treatments, we break down the best in preventative skin and body care to keep you looking — and feeling — fabulous.

How does your skin age?

If you’re 50, you’re probably starting to notice deeper wrinkles and lines set in, and you probably have some gray hair as well. Unfortunately, repeated sun exposure over the years, smoking, diet, and genetics can all affect your appearance — and, in most cases, not in a good way.

As your skin ages, your cells don’t turn over as quickly, resulting in dull, dry, and lifeless skin. Collagen and elastin production also significantly decreases, causing sagging skin.

You may also notice more pronounced lines and wrinkles deepening into folds. This is because the loss of estrogen affects your skin’s elasticity and plumpness. Noticeable bags under your eyes may have formed, and your skin pigmentation may have grown uneven. Your pores may appear larger, too, and your skin may be dry owing to decreased sebum production.

It’s never too late to start taking care of your skin. But this means you’ll have to step up your skincare regimen to counteract the clock.

Essential skincare tips for age 50 and beyond

Skincare is essential in your 50s because that’s when sun damage really starts to show. Remember that your skin and body may be different now, so skincare product needs may be as well.

Use a gentle cream cleanser every morning and night

Stay away from cleansers that are drying. You want a cleanser that removes makeup and daily impurities without stripping the skin of essential moisture. Look for ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid as well as Sodium PCA and Panthenol.

Moisturize daily

Choose a nourishing moisturizer that contains vitamin C, peptides, and antioxidants. Consider using argan oil or another facial oil for added moisture.

Use sunscreen

It’s never too late to start protecting your skin from harsh UV rays. Make sure to choose a sunscreen that contains an SPF 30 or higher. By using sunscreen, you’ll prevent further skin damage.

Exfoliate

Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and stimulate collagen production. Follow this with an ultra-hydrating moisturizer.

Invest in retinoids

Retinoids increase collagen production, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Choose an over-the-counter retinol serum or visit your dermatologist for a stronger prescription retinol.

Consider facial treatments

There’s only so far daily maintenance can take you. If you’re vying for next-level results, leave it to the professionals. Supplementing your routine with glow-getting facials like Clear + Brilliant or IPL, elasticity-increasing cosmetic acupuncture, skin smoothing Botox, and volumizing Juvéderm.

Protect your hands

Apply sunscreen to your hands to protect them from further damage. If your hands are already sun-damaged, consider applying a glycolic acid or antioxidant product to your hands to help repair sun damage.

If you smoke, quit

Tobacco smoke contains toxins that can lead to premature aging and heavy wrinkles. It leads to a dry complexion, loss of firmness, and a leathery texture. And if you’ve never smoked, then kudos to you!

How does your body age?

Your skin’s not the only thing that ages as you get older. Your body does, too. As you grow older, your metabolism slows by 2% per decade. You also lose more muscle tone and bone density.

But it doesn’t stop there. You become more prone to stress and depression, and with those things, a lower libido. What’s more, your estrogen levels plummet because of menopause, causing hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopausal symptoms. Sounds great, right?

Here are some tips on how to protect your body from the worst effects of aging.

1. Get enough sleep

Did you know that people who get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night actually live the longest? Sleep also prevents your body from aging prematurely. But if you’re going through menopause, then getting enough sleep might be tough. If you’re not getting enough sleep due to menopausal symptoms, then try taking a warm bath an hour before nodding off, and sleep in a cold room to nod off faster.

2. Eat more leafy greens

Dark green, leafy vegetables can prevent premature aging in its tracks. They’re filled with antioxidants, which combat free radicals and inflammation. Some of the best vegetables you can eat include Swiss chard, spinach, kale, dark lettuce, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.

3. Take a multivitamin daily

To ensure you’re getting proper nutrition. Make sure that your multivitamin covers a wide range of such nutrients as zinc, iron, beta carotene, folic acid, and B vitamins, which all boost immune response in older people.

4. Strength train

If you really want to jump-start your metabolism, consider strength training at least three times a week. Contrary to popular belief, strength training won’t lead to bulking up but will increase your bone density, help you maintain balance, and avoid injury.

5. Practice mindfulness

This can help reduce your stress levels. Why is it so important to reduce stress? Because stress can leave to inflammation, increased blood pressure, less energy, lower libido, and faster cell death. Some mindfulness practices include yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises.

6. Take calcium

Every woman in her 50s needs to make sure she’s getting enough calcium. Why? Because as you go through menopause, you’re more susceptible to osteoporosis, so it’s ultra-vital that you get enough calcium through your diet or supplements.

7. Do cardio

Plus, engaging in some light cardio exercise has loads of health benefits, like improved cholesterol, heart function, and muscle mass as well as reduced risk of osteoporosis. Aiming for 30 minutes a day can make a huge difference!

8. Visit the pros

And if you’re looking to take your results one further, professional body treatments such as Thermage and CoolSculpting may be helpful to tighten loose skin and spot reduce fat in the stubborn areas diet and exercise can’t.

You hold the keys to looking fabulous at 50

Looking your best at any age all comes down to consistent, proactive routines. Pairing a nourishing and protective skincare regimen with a healthy, active lifestyle is essential, but utilizing the professional expertise of aestheticians and dermatologists can assist in boosting your at-home results.

As the leader in aesthetic dermatology, LaserAway offers a diverse treatment range to help women in their 50s reach their skin fitness goals. Book a free, no-obligation consultation to see which treatments may be right for you!

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