How to maintain glowing skin in your 40s
Any skin expert will tell you it’s never too late to start caring for your skin. As we age, our skin changes — signs of skin aging begin in your 30s, like fine lines around the eyes, coarser texture, and hyperpigmentation, and become more pronounced in your 40s. But, there’s a lot you can do to ensure you continue to age gracefully. Here are nine dermatologist-approved skincare tips for flawless and glowing skin in your 40s and beyond:
1. Always wear sunscreen
To protect against sun damage, you should wear high-quality sunscreen every day, rain or shine. Choose a formula that’s specifically designed for the face, like LaserAway Beauty BFF SPF 50+ that protects UVA and UVB sun exposure, oxidative stress, and pollution. Make sure not to forget your neck, chest, and the back of your hands.
2. Consider Botox and laser treatments
Don’t rule out in-office treatments to support your skincare routine since they can complement what you’re doing at home. Neuromodulators like Botox can soften crow’s feet and forehead lines, while laser treatments like Clear + Brilliant can improve pigmentation, dullness, and texture problems. Plus, laser treatments can actually enhance the effectiveness of skincare products.
3. Reach for retinoids
If you haven’t already started on retinoids, then it’s time. Retinoids increase collagen synthesis by promoting skin cell turnover, which improves skin elasticity and decreases fine lines. Apply a retinoid product at night and always wear sunblock when outside to reduce photosensitivity.
4. Avoid over-exfoliating
Over-exfoliating your skin can lead to increased irritation and dryness. Instead, opt for gentle chemical exfoliants once or twice a week, which is ideal for sensitive skin. Choose a product that contains alpha-hydroxy acids or beta hydroxy acids, two of the most common chemical exfoliants.
5. Get regular skin checks
You should make sure that your skin is protected against skin cancer. Get checked out by a dermatologist once a year or more often if skin cancer runs in your family. Luckily, yearly skin checks can help catch the early signs of precancerous skin changes before they develop into something more serious.
6. Apply vitamin C
Pigmentation can result from both sun and hormonal influences. But serums that use a stabilized version of vitamin C can help fade dark spots. Apply it to the skin during your morning routine before putting on sunscreen.
7. Use a heavier moisturizer
Since the skin thins and dries in your 40s due to decreased estrogen, you’ll need more hydration. Choose a moisturizer, like LaserAway Beauty Drenched Peptide Enriched Moisturizer that contains a powerful hyaluronic acid complex to soothe and hydrate the skin.
8. Wash your face using cool water
Hot water can strip your skin of much-needed natural oils, causing irritation and dryness. But, washing your face with cool water protects the skin and reduces puffiness. It can also tighten pores— pair cool water with a gentle face cleanser.
9. Watch out for hormonal changes
Hormonal changes in your 40s might trigger adult acne. Topical medications that may have been helpful in your teens and 20s often aren’t enough to keep breakouts at bay during this decade. But, dermatologist-prescribed oral medications that decrease testosterone can be very helpful.
References
- “5 Rules For Younger Skin After 40,” Prevention, May 2, 2016.
- “A Dermatologist Explains How to Prevent Aging and Wrinkles in Your 40s,” Byrdie, February 18, 2021.
