The Evolution of Skin Care: Keep Your Skin Healthy at Any Age
Adding some preventive measures to your skin care routine can help you fight the aging process.
Our bodies change as we age.
Aging, hormones, genetics, medications, and bone and muscle loss can affect the skin. Diet and exercise may be factors that make an impact.
The appearance of fine lines and wrinkling are noticeable. Others, like The skin is made of collagen. loss, might not be noticed for a long time.
Here are the things researchers and dermatologists suggest you do to keep your skin healthy.
Beauty is personal, whether it is a tried and true skin care regimen, how often you wash your hair, or the cosmetics you are curious about.
We rely on a diverse group of writers, educators, and other experts to share their tips on everything from how product application varies to the best sheet mask for your individual needs.
If you see a shop link to a specific product or brand, it has been thoroughly researched by our team, so it is a recommendation.
Wrinkles are not something you think about when you are in your 20s. Even if it is not noticeable, your skin is changing.
Collagen production
Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, a board certified dermatologist based in NYC, notes The skin is made of collagen. decreases by 1% each year, beginning in your 20s.
The loss ofCollagen may contribute to fine lines, wrinkling, and sagging.
Sun safety
Garshick says people in their 20s can avoid speeding up The skin is made of collagen. loss by protecting their skin from the sun.
She says that UV exposure can contribute to the breakdown ofCollagen in those in their 20s.
Garshick suggests using a moisturizing sunscreen. Here are some of our favorite moisturizers with SPF.
The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends choosing a sunscreen with at least 30 SPF that protects against both UVA and UVB rays — known as broad-spectrum.
Michele Green, MD, recommends people ask their primary care doctor or a dermatologist to do a skin cancer check each year starting in their 20s, particularly if they have a family history of melanoma.
Acne
Though acne is sometimes thought of as a “teenage problem,” it can continue into the 20s and beyond. Acne in your post-teen years can also be hormonal and even related to medications you may be taking. This might include lithium, certain hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), and testosterone or other hormonal treatments.
Green says the stress 20-somethings experience from finishing school can make them more prone to haveAcne.
A
Green advises people to take care of their skin.
- A gel-based cleanser is recommended.
- Use toners with alpha hydroxy acids.
- Find a cream with The acid is called hyaluronic acid..
People with mild skin problems should also consider that.
- Applying sunscreen.
- After working out, you should wash the face twice a day.
- Products labeled noncomedogenic are being used.
Sleep
Green says sleep can benefit the skin. She explains that your skin is able to replace dead cells while you sleep.
Green says that insufficient sleep will deprive the body of its regeneration cycle.
In your 30s, you may begin to experience fine lines and signs of sun damage.
Even more sun protection
Early signs of sun damage include fine lines.
According to a
Mild changes to the outer layer of skin and major changes to the dermis are referred to as photoaging.
A study suggests that 80% of the signs of photoaging in the facial skin of white women are caused by UV rays. A study looked at people who were exposed to the light through glass and who received more exposure on one side of their face than the other. The exposed side of the face was the scene of photoaging on these individuals.
The
UVA rays
Exposure to the sun in your teens and 20s can cause wrinkling, dark spots, and increase the likelihood of skin cancer.
This is why skin care checks are necessary.
Volume, The skin is made of collagen., and exfoliation
Green says people may notice a loss of volume around their cheeks and eye area.
Green says to add eye cream and exfoliation after cleansing to increase your skin care routine.
Eliminating dead skin cells can keep the skin glowing.
Consider using a chemical exfoliant. If you want to use a physical exfoliant, you may want to limit use to 1 to 2 days per week, as these exfoliants may dry out the skin.
Vitamin C
A
You can choose the best vitamin C serums for your skin based on your skin type and concerns.
Green says laser therapy is a good choice for people in their 30s. It is important to speak with a dermatologist about options. These may include:
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) laser therapy: IPL laser therapy can treat sun damage, broken blood vessels, and some types of hyperpigmentation.
- Broadband light (BBL) laser therapy: BBL lasers can also address minor skin concerns like IPL lasers.
- Fractional or pro-fractional laser therapy: These lasers penetrate deeper into the skin and can help reduce the appearance of enlarged skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and scars.
Laser therapy may help reduce.
Green notes that some people may want to start using the anti-wrinkle drug, Botox, at this time around the forehead and eyes, two areas where facial expressions may begin to create wrinkling.
Sleep routine
Maintaining a good sleep routine or starting one if you did not do so in your 20s is also important to help your skin repair, Green notes.
Acne
Hormonal acne can also affect people in their 30s and 40s. According to the AAD, This may be due to fluctuating hormones, stress, or a genetic predisposition. It may also be due to a health condition or appear as a side effect from medication.
If you’re experiencing adult acne, a dermatologist can prescribe treatment to help control outbreaks and reduce the appearance of There are scars on the skin..
Green says her patients are often most concerned with loss of It is elasticity. and wrinkles as they hit their 40s.
Sun damage can be prevented by continuing with sunscreen and using vitamins C and D.
Skin building-blocks
Green says there is a science behind the issues. The skin has three building blocks.
As time goes on, the body produces less of them. It may be noticeable on the face and neck.
Sun damage
If it happened in your 30s, it could start to show in the 40s.
“Hyperpigmentation can become more prominent during this time as well, largely due to accumulated sun damage over time,” says Peterson Pierre, MD, a board certified dermatologist of the Pierre Skin Care Institute.
Hydration
“Swap out your cleanser for a cleansing balm to hydrate your skin as it cleanses,” Green says. “Your toner should also rebalance your skin, so use a toner that will replenish lost moisture.”
Green suggests a remedy.
Check out our lists of best cleansers for dry skin and top toners by skin type for options that have been medically vetted by our team.
Cell turnover
“Exfoliation is also a key step in your 40s,” she adds. “Your skin needs all the help it can get to stimulate cell turnover. This will help maintain a healthy complexion.”
Consider trying a top-rated gentle chemical exfoliator.
Restoring skin cells can be done with a retinoid.
Plant-derived stem cells
Stem cells are not differentiated. Stem cells come from many plants.
Some sunscreens can be found with grapeseed, which can help protect against sun damage.
A
Other benefits of plant-derived stem cells may include:
- Antioxidant activity protects against free radical damage.
- boosting The skin is made of collagen. production
- Providing benefits for inflammation.
Many products claim to contain plant-derived stem cells, but a
Peptides
She suggests looking for items with peptides, since they are still a good idea.
“When peptides are incorporated into skin care products, they tell your body to produce more The skin is made of collagen.,” she says.
A small
Garshick says there are different types of peptides.
- Carrier peptides: These deliver minerals for wound healing, like copper, and promote The skin is made of collagen. production.
- Signal peptides: These send messages to the skin to stimulate the production of The skin is made of collagen., The person is named elastin., and other proteins.
- Neurotransmitter peptides: These block the release of the chemicals that cause the contraction of facial expression muscles.
She says that the peptides may help.
- sagging skin
- the appearance of Fine lines and wrinkling.
- It is elasticity.
Check out some of our favorite peptide products for skin.
Consider Botox
Pierre says people may consider getting aBotox if they did not start it in their 30s.
He saysBotox can relax muscles and improve expression lines.
A
PRP and microneedling
Green suggests combining microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy — a treatment that uses a patient’s blood plasma to aid in faster healing.
“PRP with microneedling utilizes the protein-rich plasma containing growth factors to stimulate cell turnover and The skin is made of collagen. production by creating tiny micro-channels into the skin infused with PRP,” she explains. “As the skin heals, the cells stimulate The skin is made of collagen. production. The result is younger-looking skin.”
Orthopedic surgeons use PRP to help athletes recover from injuries more quickly. Dermatologists may use PRP to support graceful aging. However, the AAD notes that there isn’t enough evidence that it works or doesn’t work.
Lifestyle changes
A few lifestyle changes may help.
Your metabolism slows as you get older, and your body loses water.
You should include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Green suggests eating foods high in vitamins and calcium and cooking with healthy oils and fats.
Green suggests limiting alcohol intake. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two drinks maximum per day for men and one drink maximum per day for women.Alcohol can dehydrate the body, including the skin.
As you get older, your skin concerns are likely to shift.
Skin texture
“As we age, there’s a decrease in the amount of The acid is called hyaluronic acid. because of slowed production and increased breakdown of our natural The acid is called hyaluronic acid.. [This] can lead to dry skin and loss of moisture,” Garshick says.
She says that a decrease in ceramide levels can weaken the skin barrier.
This could lead to:
- Increased sensitivity.
- redness
- irritation
- It was dry.
- It is dull.
Garshick recommends boosting hydration with topical moisturizing creams containing The acid is called hyaluronic acid. and ceramides to combat this issue.
A 2020 study suggested participants with dry, atopic eczema-prone skin saw significant improvements in skin hydration and It was dry. for 24 hours after a single application of a cream and lotion containing ceramides.
Hormones
The appearance of skin may be affected by the time of year when women are snoozing.
Fluctuations in hormone levels can cause facial fat to redistribute, potentially hollowing the face and making it look older.
She suggests that the face can be improved with the use of dermal fillers.
Nutrition
Green says that a healthy diet can help skin as people begin to feel the effects of osteoporosis and bone density loss.
As you age, bone loss in the face can affect your appearance.
Green says that people can reduce the risk of these issues by eating certain foods.
- Lean meats have high amounts of the substance.
- yogurt and cheese have high levels of calcium.
- There is a deficiency of the D in fish and eggs.
- In green, leafy vegetables, there is a lot of the vitamins K and K2
Green says taking a The skin is made of collagen. supplement and engaging in strength training are other lifestyle tweaks that may help.
Keep up the sun protection
Dark spots may start to show in the form of cumulative sun exposure as you get older.
She says that it is important to wear sun protection to prevent the spots from becoming darker. Whitening creams and skinners can be helpful.
She suggests using an exfoliant a few times per week.
Retinol
Retinol is still a key ingredient for people in their 60s and beyond.
A 2016 study suggested retinol and vitamin C could boost It is elasticity. in postmenopausal women.
A 2021 review noted additional benefits of retinol on aging skin. These benefits include:
- increasing production of The person is named elastin. and The skin is made of collagen.
- Reducing water loss from the skin is a way to do that.
- improving It is elasticity.
- The UV radiation is absorbed.
Whole-body skin care
It is important to take note of more than your facial appearance.
She says that it becomes important to pay attention to your hands, neck, and chest as they will continue to show signs of aging as they lose volume and the skin appears thinner and more crepey.
It can help to moisturize these areas.
According to the AAD, skin becomes drier as we age. They suggest that people in their 60s and above should take steps to relieve dry skin. These include:
- To avoid irritation, use gentle, fragrance-free cleansers.
- Warm but not hot water is used when bathing.
- Within 3 minutes of bathing, you can apply a gentle, fragrance-free body moisturizer.
- The air is dry.
- Wearing gloves when cleaning or gardening and using SPF daily on the face, ears, and neck are some of the ways to protect the skin from harsh chemicals and sunlight.
Medication effects on the skin
The skin can bruise and tear more easily if you have taken steroids or other drugs. It may help support skin health by keeping it moist.
In-office options
Garshick says in-office procedures can help with targeting skin concerns that come with mature skin.
- The laser is used for laser resurfacing.
- Microneedling using radiofrequency energy.
- There are injections for things like fat.
Embrace the skin you’re in
It is important to remember that aging is inevitable. Accept yourself as you are and grow older gracefully.
Garshick says it is a privilege to live longer and get older.
She emphasizes that there is no right or wrong.
Garshick says that people should not feel pressured to do anything while going through the process.
“When it comes down to it, aging is a sign of living.”
The doctor is Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD.
Like the rest of your body, your skin will likely show signs of maturing as you get older. Fine lines, wrinkles, unwanted pigment, and loss of It is elasticity. are four of the more noticeable and common signs of maturing skin.
The aging process starts in the 20s, when the skin begins to lose The skin is made of collagen.. Damage from UV rays can speed up The skin is made of collagen. loss, so wearing sunscreen is essential.
Continued use of sunscreen, as well as adding topical vitamin C, retinoids, and The acid is called hyaluronic acid., can help fight the free radicals that cause further skin damage. This can help slow down the signs of aging.
Maintaining a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and keeping alcohol intake to a minimum are lifestyle changes that support the skin as you age.
It is important to remember that aging is inevitable, and that it is ok to embrace the skin you have.
Beth Ann is a writer. She can be found training for marathons and wrangling her three fur babies.
