When you hit the age of 40, you will really begin to notice changes in your skin. Namely, you will begin to notice an increase in fine lines and wrinkles.
The question is how to prevent wrinkles once you enter your 40s.
In addition to the onset of wrinkles, there are other not-so-subtle changes you will also notice as you look in the mirror:
- Dry skin
- Enlarged pores
- Creases in the skin ("sleep wrinkles")
- More fine lines, especially around the delicate eye area
- Age spots or uneven skin tone from sun damage
In your 40s, “lines you didn’t have in your 30s suddenly find their way onto your face. Your skin starts to dry out and lines start to appear.” -- David Colbert, New York dermatologist
Before you start to panic, there are things you can do to slow down the aging process and to prevent more of those fine lines and deep wrinkles.
The thing you need to tackle first and foremost is the matter of hydrating the skin. When skin loses its ability to retain moisture and becomes dry, it is the perfect environment for wrinkles to set in.
Taking an Internal and External Approach
By keeping yourself hydrated on the inside by drinking more water, it will help plump up the cells and help keep your skin from drying out.
Taking a daily supplement of skin-loving vitamins such as A, C, D and E will help prevent free radical damage.
Free radical damage is the oxidation (or breakdown) of healthy cells, Free radial damage occurs due to the natural aging process, in addition to exposure to elements such as UVA/UVB rays and pollution.
All of these things wreak havoc on 40+ skin. How to prevent wrinkles? Increase your intake of anti-oxidants such as vitamin C, pomegranate juice and green tea which can help curb the aging effects of free radical damage.
As part of the natural aging process, collagen and elastin start to break down, resulting in wrinkles and sagging skin. Collagen and elastin provide the "framework" under the skin. As you age and both collagen and elastin lose elasticity and stretch, wrinkles and sagging skin result. Increasing anti-oxidant levels helps keep your underlying framework firm.
How to Prevent Wrinkles - A Plan for 40+
Here are some recommendations to plan your strategy as to how to prevent wrinkles in your 40s:
- Dermatologists agree that one of the most effective strategies for preventing wrinkles is to use retinol (vitamin A) approximately 3 times per week.
Retinoids (or retinol) is effective in treating aging skin because it helps remove the dead skin and cells that accumulate on the surface layer. It helps reveal the new, smoother skin underneath for a fresh, younger look.
It also helps control age spots and dark patches from noticeably forming on the skin.
Since retinoids are strong, it's recommended to test these products on small areas of the skin first. If you have sensitive skin, it may cause redness and actually increase the dry condition of your skin. It can cause flakiness, itching and almost look like a chemical burn on the skin.
- Since keeping skin hydrated is the most important thing to focus on at this stage of the game, consider using an oil on the skin. Providing that using an oil won't increase an already oily skin condition, oil is light and quickly absorbs into the skin, keeping it very soft and supple. The use of an oil may be particularly favorable during cold, dry seasons where forced heat tends to dry out the skin very quickly.
Losing natural oils in your skin when you hit your 40s is one of the reasons why skin dries out so quickly, so adding a few drops of oil to your skin can make all the difference in skin hydration.
- Hyaluronic Acid is another favorite for hydrating 40+ skin. It promotes hydration and is gentle on the skin. The skin naturally produces its own hyaluronic acid but as you get into your 40s, natural production slows down. Hyaluronic acid is important because it gives the skin a natural, plumped look you had when you were younger.
"Hyaluronic acid holds 1000 times its weight in water which will make the skin look full, dewy and youthful." -- Kate Somerville, Dermatologist
- Exfoliating the skin after cleansing is another important step to add if you really want to know how to prevent wrinkles.
Exfoliation is important because as you gently scrub the top layer of the dermis, dead skin cells are removed which promotes the turnover of healthier skin layers underneath.
As you exfoliate, your skin tone becomes more even, pores are cleared and skin is better prepared for a moisturizing cream. Lactic acid is an excellent source for exfoliating the skin. It brightens a dull-looking complexion.
- Sunscreen. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day. The harmful UV rays penetrate very deeply into several layers of skin. Even on cloudy days or inside a car, you are not safe from the sun's UV rays.
- Lightweight, mineral-based products applied with a light touch can even out the skin tone and provide UV-protection at the same time. A nicely-tinted BB cream with a mineral-based bronzer can give the skin a nice, healthy glow while keeping it hydrated and protected at the same time.
More Good News for 40+ Skincare
You can take on an overall healthy approach as you look at how to prevent wrinkles.
- Eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of greens
- Drinking anti-oxidant rich beverages like black tea and juice
- Increasing your daily intake of H20
- Getting plenty of sleep each night
- Managing stress
Be sure to visit our skincare blog for information on skincare products for beautiful skin that won't break the bank.
You don't have to sweat turning 40 now that you have these tools in how to prevent wrinkles.
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