Age and Beauty: How Your Skincare Routine Should Change as You Age
If you’re a creature of habit, you may still be using the same skincare routine that you were using 20 years ago, like that harsh alcohol-based face wash from high school. Then there are those on the opposite end of the spectrum who are chasing the latest and greatest in skincare. If you’re a slave to trends, you may have tried every skincare product known to mankind.
Neither of these situations is good for your skin. The truth is that just like everything else in life, your skin changes as you age—and so should your skincare routine. As you age, you change your diet, exercise routine, fashion choices and careers … so why should you keep the same skincare routine?
After a lifetime of exposure to the sun, lifestyle choices like diet and exercise and the normal effects of aging, your skin willchange. Skin loses tone, tightness and elasticity and becomes drier, more fragile and thinner over time. These effects can lead to a more pronounced appearance of wrinkles, dryness, redness and sagging skin. While you can’t stop the aging process, you can take control of your skin by using the best products and regimens for your age and skin type!
If you’re 20-something, you may be facing minor issues like discoloration from the sun, acne or dry/oily skin. Use a gentle-foaming cleanser to eliminate excess oil without drying out your skin, remove your makeup before bed every day and use a light moisturizer once or twice a day. If you’re worried about the occasional breakout, try a spot treatment.
If you’re 30-something, discoloration, texture and tone may be at the top of your worry list. Exfoliate more often (at least once or twice a month), switch to a non-foaming, drying cleanser and utilize a moisturizer that is rich in antioxidants to block against sun damage and any damage you did in your youth (tanning, smoking, excessive drinking, etc.). Add a retinoid to your skincare routine to improve your skin’s texture and tone and consider adding a hydrating cream on top of your moisturizer.
If you’re 40-something, you’re starting to notice permanent wrinkles around your brows, eyes and mouth from a lifetime of recurring facial expressions. Moisturizing and collagen-building ingredients are a must to start fighting the onset of deeper wrinkles in your forehead and neck. Also, switch to a non-foaming, nondrying cleanser to remove dead skin cells and continue using retinol and heavy moisturizer.
If you’re 50 or older, moisturizer is king! You may be facing a loss of tone, sagging skin or scarring, and a heavier moisturizer and products with retinoid and amino acids will help.
A change in skincare doesn’t just come with age. If you’ve been using the same products for more than five years, your skin may have built up a tolerance. While it’s always great when you find a product you love, you skin needs variety and change for renewal and healthy growth.
Don’t forget—no matter how old you are, you should wear a broad spectrum sunblock anytime you’re outdoors. Brush On Block® Broad Spectrum SPF 30 mineral powder sunscreen contains naturally-occurring ingredients titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to provide full coverage sun protection. It also contains green tea leaf extract and safflower seed oil, both of which help moisturize and chamomile and honeysuckle that help prevent skin inflammation and irritation. All the ingredients in Brush On Block work together to enrich, soothe and replenish skin.
