As a woman nearing 50 you have unique skincare needs. Maintaining a youthful appearance all boils down to how well you take care of yourself. And that means treating your body and your skin right.

How does your skin age?

If you’re 50, you’re probably starting to notice deeper wrinkles and lines setting 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.

Other sites of obvious aging in your 50s include:

  • Cheeks

    You may start to notice fluid retention in your upper cheek area, and sagging in your lower cheek area.

  • Forehead

    Horizontal lines start to settle in, and you may notice that your forehead sags.

  • Mouth and lips

    Vertical lines may begin to appear and deepen around your lips and mouth.

  • Eyes and eyebrows

    Your eyebrows may start to sag, causing eyelids to appear hooded and droopy.

  • Jawline

    Your jawline may start to sag, creating the impression of jowls.

You may also notice more pronounced lines and wrinkles deepening into folds. This is because 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. That’s not all. 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.

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 are different now, so you’ll probably have to change skincare products you’ve been using over the past few years.

  • Use a gentle cream cleanser every morning and night

    Stay away from cleansers that are drying.

  • Moisturize daily

    Choose anti-aging skincare products that contain 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 daily moisturizer 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.

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  • Invest in retinoids

    Retinoids increase collagen production, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The most effective retinoid creams usually require a prescription, so ask your dermatologist.

  • 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 heavily 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.

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

  • 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.

  • Eat more salads

    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.

  • 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.

  • Strength train

    If you really want to jump start your metabolism, you should do strength training at least three times a week. Plus, strength training helps you increase your bone density, maintain balance, and avoid injury. Who wouldn’t want a tone, sleek body?

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Do cardio

    Plus, engaging in cardio exercise has loads of health benefits, like improved cholesterol, heart function, and muscle mass as well as reduced risk of osteoporosis. You should aim for 30 minutes of cardio every day.

References

  1. "50 Ways to Look Fabulous at 50: How to Grow Older Gracefully Like the Stars," The Mirror, April 22, 2015.
  2. "How to look good in your 50s," Women's Health & Fitness, [Date unknown].
  3. "Life After 50: The #1 Style Secret to Look Fantastic After 50: Hint: It’s Not Your Size," HuffPost, February 7, 2013.
  4. "What Fabulous At 50 Looks Like," Prevention, August 30, 2012.

anti-aging | makeover | makeup | mature skin | skin care | older women