The Midlife Gal’s Guide to Healthy Summer Skin
Jun 13, 2021As we get older we start to become more aware of the importance of taking care of our skin and having a great skin care routine in place.
Summertime is one of the best times to do a little skin care inventory.
Around age 50, the pH level of our skin changes. With this change, skin becomes more sensitive, and midlife women are more likely to develop rashes and easily irritated skin. You may notice that with your fluctuating hormones you’ve begun to develop adult acne.
Acne is also common in summer due to the higher amounts of sweat and perspiration.
Because your skin is thinner and drier, some of the older methods you used to use for acne may be too harsh for your changing skin.
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Look for acne cleansers that contain salicylic acid, as this will help unclog pores.
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Products that have benzoyl peroxide are good since they are a great anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial, minimizing inflammation and bacteria buildup.
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Retinol is another good ingredient to look for because it can help accelerate the skin's natural exfoliation process, bringing new, healthy skin cells to the surface.
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Avoid acne products that dry your skin, increasing the outbreak irritation.
Other natural ways to promote beautiful skin all summer long:
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Exercise - those stress-reducing chemicals called endorphins can do wonders for your skin!
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Yoga and meditation - because they focus on proper breathing, both are great ways to increase oxygen levels in the blood, promoting cell growth and radiant skin!
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Sleep - when we sleep, our immune system naturally releases proteins called cytokines that help repair the body, helping to reduce inflammation and fight infections, and help balance hormones.
If your goal is similar to mine, to limit age spots and other signs of sun-damaged skin which can appear on your face, hands, neck, arms, or chest, you’ve got to make sure that sunscreen is part of your daily beauty routine.
The best way to reduce the signs of aging and sun damage is with the use of daily sun protection.
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Apply sunscreen every day before going outdoors, yes, even if it’s only to run errands.
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Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
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Daily sunscreen use can also reduce visible wrinkles and prevent new wrinkles.
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Make sure to apply it to all skin that isn't covered.
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Using sunscreen everyday (even in the winter months) can help fade old age spots and prevent new ones from forming, plus it can reduce your risk of getting skin cancer.
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I encourage all my clients to make a yearly appointment to see a dermatologist for a skin cancer screening
In menopause, skin quickly loses collagen. Studies show that women’s skin loses about 30% of its collagen during the first five years of menopause. After that, the decline is more gradual, about 2% every year for the next 20 years. Other areas that you may see since changes include the appearance of jowls, wrinkles, and loose skin.
Ingredients to look for in Menopause skincare include:
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Hyaluronic Acid
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Collagen - helps with firmness of the skin, reducing fine lines, jowls, and wrinkles
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Retinol / Vitamin A - helps increase the collagen
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Antioxidants
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Fragrance-free moisturizer to reduce irritation.
If you notice that your make-up products are starting to irritate your skin, you’re not alone. As our skin texture and general skin care needs change, so does the need to update our makeup products .
Dry skin, flakey skin, sensitive skin, all of these things can make it difficult to find the right makeup products.
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Look for moisturizing products - moisturizing sunscreens, foundations, and primers can help keep your skin hydrated.
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Cream blushes tend to work better on older skin as powder blushes clump together easily.
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Protect your lips and the area around your lips (which tend to crease and wrinkle easier) with a light SPF lip balm.
And finally, don’t forget some cute shades that will also protect your eye health.
Summer is a great time to be outside, enjoying nature, being active, getting some vitamin D, but make sure you are being safe and smart with your skin health!
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