A woman may have a variety of skin care needs throughout her lifetime. Skin may be oily during youth and be more prone to dryness later in life. As a woman gets older, her skin may begin to thin and lose its firmness due to the hormonal imbalances associated with menopause. Perhaps the most important product for women of all ages is sunscreen, according to SmartSkinCare.com, an independent skin care information website. Numerous other products may promote youthful and healthy looking skin in women. They include moisturizers, retinoic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, antioxidants, peptides and hormone creams.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers help keep skin plump, cover minor flaws and minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, according to the Mayo Clinic. Moisturizers generally contain humectants and emoliients. Humectants are substances that absorb water from the air and hold moisture in the skin. Emollients fill in spaces between the cells in the skin to help smooth and lubricate the skin. Women with very oily skin may not need to use moisturizers since they naturally produce emollients.
Retinoic Acid
Creams that contain retinoic acid can improve the texture of the skin, reduce pigmentation irregularities and promote collagen production, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Collagen is a protein that promotes firm and smooth-looking skin, but collagen weakens over time. Prescription-only tretinoin or Retin-A contains retinoic acid.
Copper Peptides
Copper-containing compounds may encourage collagen production and help skin repair itself. Copper skin care products are mixed with minuscule protein fragments called peptides, according to the Mayo Clinic. It remains unclear whether copper peptides can diminish wrinkles and other signs of aging, according to SmartSkinCare.com.
Exfoliants
Skin resurfacing known as exfoliation is basic to improving the overall appearance of skin, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Exfoliating products such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid remove the outermost layer of skin by sloughing off dead skin cells to make way for new skin.
Hormone Creams
Creams that contain estrogen or progesterone may encourage skin hydration and minimize wrinkles in women who are experiencing menopause-related hormonal imbalances, according to SmartSkinCare.com. Consult with your doctor before using topical hormone products since they can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Sunscreen
Unprotected sun exposure is a major cause of wrinkles and skin roughness, according to the AAD. Wearing sunscreen year-round can protect your skin from premature aging. Look for products with a sun protection factor of at least 15 that block both UVA and UVB rays, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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