Skin Care for Middle-Aged Women

As we approach middle age, the reality of aging will finally sink in and tell you that you just don't look and feel the same as when you were in your twenties or thirties. These physical changes, more often unwelcome, generally come with age; but other factors are also instrumental in bringing about these transformations. And the most obvious victim of any change in your body is your skin.

So here is what we need to do:

1. Moisturize it

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.

With this, I suggest to use serums. Serum is important to the daily skin care to moisten our aging skin. There are a lot of this in the market, which you just need to consider the different prize range. Sometimes the cheapest ones are the ones that our skin needs.

2. Exfoliate it

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.

Be cautious with exfoliation scrubs though, 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. Ask a doctor for advise which exfoliation scrub does your type of skin need.

3. Protect it from the Sun

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.

(Photo credit: NejRon @ flicker.com)

Most of skin serums are in the form of liquids, and they are containing vitamins A, B, C and D. These vitamins are very much helpful to retain the elastic qualities and firmness of our skin.These products will definitely help us to have wrinkled free skin. If you are applying this cream two times in every day you will get a glowing skin, and also it can be used to heal scars.

When we reach the age of forty our skin conditions can be influenced not just by the aging process but by our lifestyle as well. Sometimes we need to break some old habits to restore a healthier life. Here are some suggestions that I found very effective.

1. Don't smoke

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles. Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin - the fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking - such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke - can contribute to wrinkles.

2. Don't be harsh to your skin

Daily cleansing and shaving can take a toll on our skin. To keep it gentle:
Limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from our skin. Use warm - rather than hot - water.

Also avoid strong soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.

Next, pat it dry. After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot your skin dry with a towel so that some moisture remains on your skin. Moisturize your skin while it is fresh from shower.

4. Don't neglect your diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Some research suggests that a diet rich in vitamin C and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin.

When it comes to food habits, you need to take more and more nutrients and antioxidants that definitely rejuvenating the skin.

(Photo credit: Ciara Karagianni @ flicker.com)

The big bad wolf sometimes is not the age itself, but the stress. Some middle-aged women do not really show much of this aging skin for the reason that they are not stressed out!

The link between stress and having damaged skin lies in the hormones that our body produces whenever we are under stressful conditions. A healthy immune system is vital for our skin's health. With all the toxins in your body, a diminished immune system can allow antioxidants to destroy various cells without restraint, most particularly to our skin cells. What happens next is the appearance of wrinkles and age spots among others.

(Photo credit: rockin_the freeworld @ flicker.com)