Hormonal changes in the 50s, such as menopause, can make the skin more prone to irritation and dryness. It is important to support the skin's barrier by using regreasing & moisturizing products. In addition, we should make sure to use ingredients known to promote collagen and elastin synthesis. These two proteins are absolutely necessary to give the skin strength and structure, but they naturally decrease as we age, unfortunately.
Although there are many different changes in the skin after passing 50, the most common skin problem centers around the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It's so important to embrace your own beauty, lines and all, I think. Aging is a natural part of life and happens to all of us. The key to this decade is an effective and complete skin care routine with products rich in lipids, nutrients and oils combined with an increase in more intensive professional treatments. Below are some essential tools to add to your kit to help you through your 50s.
Clean up
Skin in your 50s can be slightly more sensitive, it also produces less oil than it once did, so I suggest using a gentle and moisturizing cleanser that doesn't strip your skin of its natural oils. Avoid sulfates and alcohols, as these can dry out the skin. Instead, look for a gentle formulation with as little lather as possible, and feel free to add an oil as your first evening cleanser. You can also use the cleansing as an opportunity to do a facial massage. It drains stagnant lymph and fluid accumulations while encouraging collagen production.
You can find video tips for facial massage here at @the.skin.coach (instagram).
Exfoliate
Using a gentle peel 2-3 times a week can help even out the skin texture. It removes dead cells without disturbing the skin's lipid membrane.
Moisturize
Increase elasticity and fullness with a combination of lipid-rich, moisturizing products. Think rich, occlusive creams to soothe and comfort the skin, hydrating serums to quench deep thirst, and oil to lock in moisture.
Eye cream
The skin around the eye is much thinner than the rest of the face and gets thinner with age. It makes fine lines and wrinkles more prominent. It is also common to experience puffiness and dark circles, which can be remedied by using a well-formulated eye cream that contains active ingredients. Look for a hydrating formula that contains peptides to restore and promote radiance.
SPF
In the 50s, sun protection is about trying to reverse some of the damage caused in previous years, as well as slowing down further aging as a result of UV exposure. Look for rich, hydrating formulas to plump the skin while protecting it from UVA and UVB rays.
Treatment
An LED mask is a great tool to add to your at-home routine to deeply repair and heal the skin. This decade is also the perfect time to increase the intensity of your professional treatments. If you have the opportunity, schedule a facial every 4 weeks. You deserve to be pampered a little extra.