Aging is often tough on every part of the body, including our skin. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) confirms that as skin ages, it loses fat and becomes thinner, losing its plump, smooth, and lustrous appearance. Veins and bones become increasingly visible while cuts, bumps, scratches, adult acne outbreaks, and bruises take longer to heal. Any time spent sunbathing—or simply spending time outdoors without sunscreen—shows up in the form of age spots, wrinkles, dryness, and sometimes cancer.
All those things might sound grim when laid out all together, but with proper care and the following three tips, you can fight aging skin issues and other effects of turning 40.
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1. Protect Your Skin When Spending Time Outdoors
It is important to go outside and get some sun during the day to get natural vitamin D and fresh air, but you should do so with care to protect your skin. Before heading out, apply sunscreen at SPF 30 or higher, and wear a hat and protective clothing, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest and most dangerous to the skin. Even better, consider limiting the time you spend outdoors during those times and opting to exercise or otherwise enjoy the outdoors in the morning or evening. Needless to say that, if you ever enjoyed tanning, you should put those days behind you to keep your skin safe as you get older.
2. Remove or Limit Less Healthy Products from Your Life
Several products fall under this heading, including alcohol, cigarettes, sugar, and other junk foods. It is easier to get away with the consumption of less than ideal items like these when you are younger, but as your body ages, it needs you to become gentler with it. Take a look at why each one of these products can harm your skin as you age:
- Alcohol affects the mucous membrane, resulting in dehydration from the pancreas to the liver and on and out to the skin. It also causes inflammation, resulting in redness and flushing of the skin.
- Cigarettes are teeming with toxins that damage collagen and elastin in your body, causing a loss of suppleness and tone, leaving you vulnerable to wrinkles and saggy skin.
- Sugar and junk foods are bad for your skin in many ways, causing inflammation, free radicals, wrinkles, and a lack of proper nutrients and hydration to nourish your skin.
3. Introduce a New Skin Care Routine for Acne in Adults
As your skin ages, you might discover it is time to try new products to prevent and erase blemishes while protecting your more vulnerable skin. Look for adult acne products that unclog pores and prevent future breakouts while also moisturizing your skin and minimizing the appearance of fine lines. Consider a skincare routine that includes an acne face wash, clarifying toner and broad-spectrum SPF. Sticking to a dedicated skincare routine can help you look and feel your best with plenty of confidence as you head into your forties.
Turning 40 Doesn’t Need to Mean Giving Up Beautiful Skin
Developing and implementing a strong strategy to fight aging skin is more than half the battle. Try adding in these three ways to protect your skin from the sun and imperfect habits while introducing a gentle and effective adult acne skincare routine with quality products to enjoy healthy, glowing skin for years to come.