Like everything else about the human body, skin changes over time. You can’t continue using the same skincare products and regimens you used as a teen and in your 20s as you move into your 30s, 40s, and 50s. Your skin will reject the harsh alcohol-based washes and astringents you used in middle and high school. Your skin is drying out more and more each year, and you definitely don’t want to accelerate that phenomenon.
You also might not need to go overboard and spend money on the trendy, expensive new skincare products and procedures. There is a balance once you understand the reasons your skincare should change as you age. Here are three of those reasons.
1. Adult Acne Is Real
Acne isn’t just for hormonal teenagers. No matter your age, acne is the unfortunate result of overactive sebaceous glands that produce and accumulate an excess amount of oil that mixes with dirt, debris, and dead skin cells to clog pores. That mixture then allows for the build-up of bacteria, leading to acne breakouts, including blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. The similarities between teen and adult acne end there. Here are some key differences:
Teen Acne
- Breakouts often appear on the forehead, nose, and chin
- Occurs primarily due to adolescent hormones
- Commonly appear as whiteheads, blackheads, or cystic acne
- Respond well to over-the-counter treatments
Adult Acne
- Breakouts frequently occur at the chin and jawline
- Happens due to hormones involving the menstrual cycle or menopause
- In addition to cystic acne, pustules, and blackheads, adults might also experience rosacea with breakouts
- Treatment becomes more challenging as adults often have combination skin, so over-the-counter treatments are not always the answer
2. Dark and Uneven Skin Becomes an Issue
Over the years, you might have noticed dark spots and patches of skin on your grandparents or other aging or elderly relatives. Uneven tone and dark marks happen to most people at some point during the aging process, but there are things you can do to reduce their appearance and allow for skin brightening.
Here are a few steps you can take to enjoy brighter skin:
- Wear a 50+ sunscreen that offers skin-brightening benefits daily to defend against the discoloring and dulling effects of sun damage
- Invest in specially-designed products that visibly help reduce early signs of aging, such as dullness, uneven skin tone, and other discoloration.
- With a micro-dermabrasion paste, toner, and deep exfoliating wash, you can reveal and revel in a bright and young-looking complexion for years to come
3. Skin Loses Resilience and Elasticity with Age
The loss of skin elasticity is different for everyone, depending on age, lifestyle, and genetics, but it eventually happens. Whether you start to see fine lines and wrinkles in your late 20s, 30s, or you get lucky and only notice them in your 50s, that means it is time for making some tweaks to your skincare regimen. One of the first things you need to do is avoid direct sunlight by wearing a hat and applying a high-SPF, moisturizing sunscreen. Use products with moisturizing and collagen-building ingredients to combat forehead and neck wrinkles. Wash your face with a non-foaming and non-drying facial cleanser to remove debris and dead skin cells. Finally, use a heavy moisturizer with retinol.
Enjoy Healthy Skin at Any Age with the Right Skincare Regimen
Just because you are getting older doesn’t mean you have to accept dull skin, stubborn acne, and wrinkles. The right regimen, brimming with sunscreens and moisturizers, will help you fight the good fight and enjoy healthy, glowing skin into your 50s and beyond.