Skin care needs change as you age. When you reach middle age, the focus shifts to anti-aging and enough products and tips exist to make your head spin. Fortunately, the best advice involves some easy self-care tips and the use of certain ingredients that have been known to contribute to skin health. Consult with a dermatologist for guidance in choosing the most effective products for your skin.
Middle Age Skin Problems
As you age, your skin loses collagen, a strong fibrous substance that helps give skin its firm, tight appearance. The loss of collagen results in wrinkles and loss of skin tone. Your skin also tends to dry out as you age and the loss of moisture also contributes to an aged look. Lastly, after many years in the sun, the damage really starts to become visible during this time; culprits include wrinkles and discoloration.
Effectiveness Claims
The Mayo Clinic website notes that many ingredients touted to reverse sun damage and reduce the signs of aging have not undergone any rigorous scientific research. Cosmetic creams and lotions do not have any medicinal value, according to the FDA. As such, they do not have to meet the same rigorous testing standards to qualify their claims of effectiveness; the FDA is concerned only with safety of these products, not effectiveness. Generally, over-the-counter products will only produce short-lived benefits, according to the Mayo Clinic. For example, ingredients like vitamin A derivatives are present only in weak amounts in over-the-counter treatments. You will likely receive more benefit from a prescription-strength version.
Importance of Moisture
The American Academy of Dermatology stresses the importance of moisture as it diminishes once you reach your 40s. The academy recommends moisturizing the skin after bathing in particular to optimize absorption. The academy also notes regularly moisturizing the skin can reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles and give a generally more youthful appearance. New York dermatologist Rosemarie Engleton, writing for MSNBC.com, recommends using soap-free cleansers to reduce skin dryout. She also recommends looking for moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid -- the skin’s natural moisturizer.
Exfoliation
Skin cell turnover slows down once you reach middle age. The buildup of dead skin cells leads to dull-looking skin. Look for products that contain beta or alpha hydroxy acids like salicylic acid, lactic acid and glycolic acid. Their exfoliating properties help strip away dead skin cells and reveal newer skin underneath. Use caution with exfoliation scrubs as they can be too aggressive on aging skin. Many websites offer chemical peel ingredients for home use, but most dermatologists would recommend against using these treatments yourself, especially in higher concentrations. They can cause severe irritation and even burn the skin.
Sun Protection
Use sun protection every day to reduce signs of aging associated with sun exposure, the number one cause of aging signs. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using an SPF of at least 30. Make sure the product protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Other Ingredients to Watch For
Knowing the most effective ingredients can help you choose the best skin care products. Engleton recommends using antioxidants that help repair cell damage from outside stressors like the sun and pollution; examples include vitamin C, E, coenzyme Q10, idebenon, amino peptides, green tea and coffeeberry extract. The Mayo Clinic website notes vitamin A derivatives can help with aging skin; it has been used in skincare for many years and is one of the best-known anti-aging substances. Copper peptides might increase collagen production while kinetin, derived from plants might help uneven skintone.
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