Are you a creature of habit when it comes to your beauty routine? If so, you might want to reconsider. With age comes change, and these changes require us to adapt in order to maintain our best looks. Products and techniques that you used in your 20s and 30s might not work best for you in your 40s and beyond.
While change can be scary, embracing new approaches will be worth it when you look and feel better than ever. Get started with your own anti-aging regimen by making the following updates to your routine today.
Skin Care
Leave your 20s behind and start using products with anti-aging ingredients to help your skin stay youthful for as long as possible. From hyaluronic acid-infused cream to serums made with plant stem cells, there's no shortage of support when it comes to fighting fine lines, dullness and other effects of aging. Consider incorporating these solutions into your routine earlier rather than later for best results.
Cleansing:
Throughout the day, your skin can come into contact with makeup, skin care products, dirt, debris and pollutants along with sweat and oils. Cleansing is an essential step in removing all of the above. When you skip washing your face before bedtime, skin becomes dull with diminished texture, and, ultimately, you interfere with your skin's ability to renew itself overnight.
Acure offers a natural, nutrient-packed cleanser that works great when washing away dirt, oil, and make-up. However, if you’re looking for something that goes a step beyond refreshing, check out Avalon Organic Intense Defense Cleansing Gel. This gel cleanser is rich in vitamin C, which provides additional antioxidant support.
Exfoliate:
Exfoliation is critical for maintaining youthful skin. After washing your face, follow up with a gentle exfoliator to instantly brighten and smooth skin. Exfoliate your skin about twice a week, preferably in the morning because your skin renews itself overnight.
Serum:
Everyone deals with signs of aging and eventually will find that their skin doesn’t feel the same as it once did. Introducing a serum can help. Serums penetrate the skin, delivering a high concentration of nutrients and bioactive ingredients. If you want to address signs of aging, such as discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, try an anti-aging retinoid serumformulated with vitamin A.
Moisturize:
When you were in your 20s, you might have chosen a moisturizer just to hydrate your skin, or maybe you didn’t use one at all. However, as you get older, your skin needs more than mere hydration. Consider a moisturizer enhanced with anti-aging ingredients like collagen or retinol.
And don't forget SPF! No matter what your age, your skincare routine needs to include sunscreen. Choose a facial sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above and be sure to apply it to your face, ears and neck year-round for healthy skin.
In addition, your diet can have an impact on your skin’s elasticity and overall appearance. Below are some foods you should be eating regularly:
- Green tea
- Dark chocolate
- Berries
- Almonds
- Apples
Hair care
When we’re younger, we don’t realize the damage we’re doing to our hair and scalp down the road. It’s important to develop a healthy hair care routine to make up for damage done over the years.
Shampoo and condition:
The first step of healthy hair care is determining your hair’s needs. Find a shampoo and conditioner that works best for you. Not all products are ideal, so make sure you’re reading labels to avoid chemical ingredients in haircare products that can be harmful or damaging.
Just like a facial cleanser, shampoo's job is to get rid of residue and dirt. But you don't want to wash your hair every day, or you'll end up stripping away all of the beneficial natural oils. Allowing these oils to accumulate is moisturizing and protective to your hair. If skipping washes causes your hair to look or feel oily, try using a dry shampoo every other day.
Regularly coditioning hair also is important. Just like your body needs water to stay hydrated, hair needs conditioner for moisture -- no matter your hair type. Aim to condition mostly the ends of your hair while applying a thin coating of conditioner on top. Let product set for several minutes before rinsing.
Protect:
Applying heat to hair can cause extensive damage over time. According to eSalon, a custom hair color company, 21 percent of women use heat on their hair daily. These same women reported that their number one concern was thinning, brittle hair. Before using a blow drier or flat iron on your hair, consider using a heat protectant spray.
As we get older, our oil glands shrink, causing our hair to produce less natural oil. This means that as we age, hair can become dry and will have breakage. Another problem over time is product build up, which can cause your hair to be dull and lifeless. Choosing the right clarifying shampoo and using it once a week will help bring some life back to your hair.
Another way to boost and brighten hair is to invest in a good hair serum. A serum will not only help with shine, but it will also protect against heat. Lastly, after washing your hair, rinse it with cold water to close the cuticles and impart instant shine.
Foods that help hair health:
- Eggs
- Salmon
- Avocados
- Legumes
- Sweet potatoes
- Milk
- Leafy greens
Body care
We tend to see most signs of aging on our face, giving that area the most attention. However, having an anti-aging routine for your body is just as important as a facial routine! Here are some basic guidelines to remember:
Moisturize:
After showering or bathing, take a few minutes to moisturize your body. Whether it’s with a cream or body oil, it’s important to apply a hydrating solution to your skin to help maintain elasticity and smooth texture.
Tools:
For smoother, more toned skin, try using a dry brush. Usually done before a shower, dry brushing has health benefits as well. Studies have shown that dry brushing your skin on a regular basis will stimulate a normal lymph flow. On top of that, it promotes healthy circulation which ultimately increases your energy.
To dry brush, simply move the brush over your skin in a circular motion toward your heart. Starting at your feet, move up your legs and arms and brush towards your chest. This will leave your skin feeling and looking great!
Finally, when taking care of your body it’s crucial to pay attention to what you eat. Eat a balanced diet, including the following beauty-promoting foods:
- Water (and lots of it!)
- Beans
- Dark chocolate
- Eggs
- Berries
- Avocados
- Fish
- Nuts
- Yogurt
