Skin Care in Your 50’s

As each decade passes, changes in your skin can take you by surprise. Especially in your 50’s, men and women notice more fine lines and wrinkles; thinning and sagging skin; less elasticity; and more dark spots, red areas, strange bumps and blemishes. During your forties and early fifties, most women are in menopause and their body goes through a hormonal roller coaster which leads to oily skin one day and dry skin the next. But in your mid to late fifties, menopause is generally over and women experience dramatic drops in estrogen which decreases moisture in their skin and leads to dryness and thinning.

Aging is a part of life and is not reversible but it is possible to minimize, support and promote younger looking skin by following these steps:

• Cleanse. Choose a cleanser that removes dirt without stripping moisture from your skin. Use a cleanser with natural exfoliators such as alpha hydroxy acids. These acids such as glycolic, lactic and salicylic will slough away dead skin cells, clear up menopausal acne and even out skin tone. Skin cells regenerate slowly in your fifties so the acids help speed up the process. An added bonus is that fresh cells absorb moisturizers and creams easily to help fight dry skin.

• Protect. Some say that most negative sun exposure has occurred when you were younger and there is nothing you can do about it. That is incorrect because even if you have sun damage, more sun exposure can make it worse. The brown spots and patches will get darker, and any pre-cancerous pimple, bumps and rough patches will only intensify. Wear a sunscreen daily that blocks UVA and UVB light and has a SPF of 30 or higher and do it religiously.

• Smooth. Retinoids and Vitamin C come in varying strengths and formulations and can be included in your moisturizer and creams or available by a prescription. They minimize skin imperfections such as wrinkles, fine lines and age spots, and stimulate collagen production. Retinoids can dry out your skin so follow directions carefully and some people have a reaction to Vitamin C. If you are using retinoids and Vitamin C, give your skin a hydration boost by using an antioxidant serum at night. Serums give menopausal skin the hydration it needs and they soften the skin.

Following the above steps will help support your skin as you age and keep it glowing! Consult your esthetician or dermatologist for a regimen that is tailored to your skin type.

This post was written by Barbara Victoria Galagusz RN, Licensed Esthetician. You can see more from Barbara here.