One Day I Looked in the Mirror and …. POOF!
It felt like it happened overnight. I looked into the mirror when I turned 50 and poof, my skin looked….. old. Logically I knew this was not overnight. The years of covering myself in baby oil to lie in the sun, the suntan beds back in the 80’s, the little to no skin care because everything made me breakout had all taken its toll over the years. But at that point, when I turned 50, I really, really noticed it. My skin was dryer than ever before. I didn’t need a plastic surgeon to tell me I was losing elasticity. I didn’t need beauty magazines to tell me my skin cells were not turning over like they did in my 20’s nor anyone to tell me I should have used sunscreen all those years. I also didn’t need a doctor to tell me menopause and those lovely changing hormones were affecting my skin tone and that my face was on a downward slide. I could see it.
Now I understand this is all part of the aging process and I am mostly okay with it. I really don’t want to get rid of the laugh lines. They are part of who I am and my life to this point. I am 57 and I do not expect or want to look like I’m 25. However I do want to look good for my age and to feel good in my own skin. So I did some research. Research on how to have beautiful skin from within. What to eat, what to avoid. I looked for great skin care that was natural and actually worked. Not easy to find and there was a lot of trial by error. I learned and I changed my skin.
If you’re a 40+ women and know that beauty comes from within but also want to look darn good for your age, this might be for you.
Wear Sunscreen Every Day
If there was one thing I would tell my daughter, this is it. Wear a good sunscreen every day. There is nothing more damaging than over exposure of the sun on your skin. Have you ever had brown spots show up after a vacation in the sun? Or more freckles? Over exposure of the sun can cause more wrinkles and cancer. If you are fair like I am, it is even more important you make sure you use sunscreen.
My daytime skin lotion has a sunscreen. I also like to wear a tinted BB (beauty balm) cream that has a sunscreen. It is much easier now to find good skin care that has sun protection. There are also some great self tanning products which offer a wonderful option instead of lying for hours in the sun. It is never too late to start adding products with sunscreen to your daily regimen.
Choose a Good Skin Care
For products I use – see end of article.
Your skin care really does make a difference. This took me a long time to learn and a lot of money spent to find the right one. Skin care that when I looked in the mirror, I saw the results. I personally prefer skin care that is natural and hydrating. You may have noticed as you age, your skin becomes dryer and your skin cells do not turn over as often. So finding skin care that hydrates is key. To see the best results from your skin care, prevent your pores from clogging, help turn over your skin cells and have brighter skin, wash both morning and night!
Is Your Skin the Mohave Desert?
As our hormones change so does our skin! I went from oily skin to dry as the Mohave Desert skin. However, I discovered there are things you can do for dry skin.
- Good moisturizer is a must. I use a cream hydrating moisturizer at night and a lighter hydrating moisturizer in the morning. The key here is finding a moisturizer that is hydrating.
- Avoid hot water and try cleansing with cool or warm water. Less drying on your skin.
- Avoid drying cleansers and soaps and opt for a gel or cream cleanser. I like ones that are gentle and PH balanced.
- Exfoliate weekly. Exfoliating promotes new skin cell generation and removes dry, dead skin. I like to using a hydrating mask too to lock in moisture.
- Consider investing in a product containing hyaluronic acid which is one of the hottest trends in skin care. Hyaluronic acid is a serum that helps skin absorb and lock in moisture. It ‘plumps’ up the skin.
- It’s not just about your face! I use my skin care down my neck and chest. You may even consider using for the top of your hands where dermatologist say our age shows the fastest.
- Don’t forget the rest of your body! Legs can be especially dry as we age. Avoid soaps and try moisturizing gel cleansers for your body. Always moisturize after showers and apply moisturizer liberally daily. I love Rose Hip oil for legs and arms and you can add a scented oil to the Rose Hip oil which is naturally unscented.
Is there a magic cream out there?
Yes, there is! The science behind skin care has come a long way! There are creams and serums that can diminish fine lines, fade brown spots, brighten your skin, increase the production of collagen and elasticity in your skin. Retinols, Vitamin C, Vitamin A and botanicals can all make a big difference. I am proof positive that these serums work! I use an anti-aging serum in the morning and a hydrating serum at night and have received more compliments on my skin than ever before! Science has come a long way and there are many options on the market. Consider a retinol product to help diminish fine lines and diminish scars and age spots. You may also look at a Vitamin C product to brighten your skin.
The Thinner You Are, The Older You Look?
“When you get older, you have to be ready to trade your ass for your face,” actress Catherine Deneuve
Well this is good news! Interestingly, a twins study found that women over 40 with a few extra pounds looked younger than their thinner twin. You can read this study here. Have you noticed when you go to your 30 – 40 year reunion that women with a few extra pounds hardly look like they’ve aged. Thinner classmates have more lines around their eyes and mouth. This is because we lose fat in our faces as we age which makes for sagging skin.
Our Skin is What We Eat
It is no secret we are what we eat and our skin shows it. Women with diets high in sugars and junk carbs tend to have duller skin, more breakouts and darker circles under the eyes. Food makes a difference. Green leafy vegetables, protein and fruit have antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that feed our bodies and our skin (our largest organ), helps for skin cell turnover, hydration and healthier looking skin. Another benefit? When we eat well, we just plain feel better. When we feel better, we feel more confident and more beautiful. Beauty from the inside out!
Some of our best vitamins and minerals for the skin are Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Omegas. All help for brighter, hydrated, healthier looking skin, regeneration of skin cells and skin elasticity.
Consider Supplementation
In today’s world, getting all the nutrition we need can be difficult. Since most of us are not eating sardines daily and not always eating 7-9 servings of vegetables a day, good supplementation can be key to maintaining healthy skin. I personally see and feel a difference in my hair and skin when I add good supplementation.
Water, Water and Water
We know water is key to good skin. It is the biggest element is keeping our skin hydrated. Yet with all the options we have like sodas, coffee and tea, water can take a back seat. Consider having a special water bottle near you at work or home. Fill it up at least 7-9 times a day. A simple way to help keep you skin hydrated. See and feel the difference!
Kickass at Any Age!
Instead of trying to look “younger,” we women can look great and feel better by accepting who we are and by living life as the vibrant, confident, and strong women that we are. You can look great, feel great and have healthier looking skin at any age.
Below are the natural products I love:
The Natural Skin Care System
Supplementation
BB Cream with Sunscreen
Hydrating Serum and Anti-aging Serum
