Skincare in your 40’s
What’s Going On With Your Skin In your 40’s?
In the decade of your forties, we can start to feel and see many changes that happen to us, including visible signs of ageing. They don’t call it your naughty forties for nothing! So let me help you understand what is happening to your skin and the best type of skincare and tools we can be using, to help support your skin at this age.
Loss of collagen which by the time we have reached your 40’s we have a short fall of 30%
Cell renewal and the more importantly turnover slows because your skin is trying to protect itself
Dehydration accelerates in your 40’s and combatting this needs to be a high priority
Firmer Skin, Naturally
Collagen and elastin are important proteins that help the structure of your skin by keeping it plump, firm and youthful. Our bodies naturally produce collagen in abundance from birth, however, by the time we reach our forties the collagen production is declining, as is the level of collagen and the quality. Initially you see there is less support around the eyes causing slackness and more noticeable lines. In your late forties you will start to see the effects around the mouth and the marionette lines start to form.
For product recommendation for the eyes check out my blog The Best Anti-Ageing Eye Cream
Medik8 Crystal Retinal
The gold standard in anti-ageing and collagen production has to be retinoids, look out for a blog coming soon on the best retinoids in the meantime one of my all-time favourites is Medik8 Crystal Retinal, I recommend if you have used retinol before starting with no.3 and work your way up the ladder.
Cell Turnover Rate
Slowing of cell turnover begins in our thirties, but is much more apparent in our forties, causing the complexion to appear dull and less radiant. Our dead skin cells shed less frequently than when we are younger, becoming sluggish and building up on the skin’s surface. So frequent exfoliation is absolute key.
I am big fan of micro exfoliation and in particular enzyme exfoliation, papaya, pineapple, pomegranate to name of the just a few natural enzyme exfoliants which leave a trail of anti-inflammatory priorities after they targeted the bonds which hold the dead skin cells together.
Here are a few of my favourites that my skin has loved in my forties (I wish I known about them earlier!);
Medik8 Press and Glow
Medik8 Press and Glow is a combination of PHA’s and prickly pear which boosts the enzymes in the skin which naturally exfoliate the skin. I love this it so gentle and can be used every night even when using retinol.
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Range
Staying with micro exfoliation and skin integrity the Elemis Dynamic range has a patented Tri-Enzyme Technology designed to reveal a smoother brighter skin. Two of my favourites are Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash PURCHASE HERE and Dynamic Resurfacing Pads PURCHASE HERE use them together and the skin glows, radiates a renewed complexion without any skin damage and you won’t have over exfoliated and damaged the skin barrier.
Tight, Taught and Thirsty
Loss of moisture can be a real problem, not only does Hyaluronic Acid production deplete more rapidly in this age group, but so can your sebum production. With Hyaluronic Acid being crucial for the plumpness on the inside of your skin, sebum is essential in moisturising and protecting the surface of your skin. With both compromised your complexion will lose moisture easily, causing both dehydration and possibly dry skin. Fine lines become more obvious, and your skin barrier becomes damaged, allowing environmental aggressions, such as sun and pollution to cause further disruption to the quality of your skin. Do you know if your skin barrier is compromised? Click here to find out how to know Skin Barrier 101 — Fiona Brackenbury
Pigmentation Aka Age Spots
Dark spots, often referred to as age spots or sunspots (hyperpigmentation) can be caused by years of sun exposure and can take up to 10 years to present themselves on the surface of the skin. Our skin naturally protects itself from the UV rays, by producing a pigment called melanin, however as time passes our melanocytes (the cells that produce our melanin) over stimulate to protect the skin, causing pockets of excess pigment on the skins surface.
The biggest challenge is there are so many influencing factors that I feel a separate blog just on pigmentation alone is needed. Here are just a few of the factors: Sun exposure, Pollution, Stress, Poor skincare routine, Dietary lifestyle (beware of high in sugar), Alcohol consumption, Smoking, Lack of sleep, Insufficient water consumption, Medication
So How Can We Help To Maintain A Healthy Skin?
Whilst we cannot turn back time, we can certainly make simple changes to ease the ageing process and improve the quality, texture and appearance of the skin.
Me Time
A healthy lifestyle and adopting awareness for yourself is key, try to create:
• A better sleep schedule, when we are sleeping, this is the time our skin works so hard, repairing, detoxifying and aiding all of its functions, ready for the next day
• Well, deserved “me time” - meditation, exercise, reading a good book
• Starting a hobby
• Selfcare Saturday or Spa Sundays will help to cut down periods of stress, reduce internal inflammation in the skin and body and hopefully promote improved sleep
Balanced Eating
By cutting down on those culprits, such as sugar, salt and alcohol and replacing them with fresh fruit, vegetables and of course, plenty of water, we can help fight antioxidants from the environment to prevent accelerated ageing. Sugar is a big culprit look out for more information on sugar and how it challenges our skin coming soon.
Skin Care
Using certain ingredients and products, will more than help to minimise the visible signs of ageing, to help restore moisture, promote healthy cell renewal and deliver rich antioxidant ingredients and be supported in its functions.
The ingredients that I would recommend are:
Vitamin C - helps to prevent, repair damage caused by the environment and stimulates collagen production.
Hyaluronic Acid - absorbs 1000x its weight in moisture, creating a plumper, smoother skin.
Vitamin A - speeds up skin cell turnover, neutralises free radicals & stimulates collagen and elastin.
Peptides - building blocks of proteins, helping production of collagen and elastin.
Omegas - strengthens the skin’s barrier, preventing water loss.
Check out my blog on Skin Fatty Acids And Omegas 101
AHA’s / PHA’s - removes dead skin cells, stimulating new cells & brightening the skin’s appearance.
What I highly recommend is giving your skin more TIME, double cleansing every evening, ensures a clean, blank canvas for your nighttime skin care products to do their stuff!
Dedicate a few minutes per evening or every other evening to gently massage your night-time serum, oil or cream with your hands or indeed a skin tool, such as a a Gua Sha, which will increase blood circulation, which will in turn encourage penetration of your products but also importantly stimulating your lymphatic drainage to disperse toxins and inflammation, leaving your skin feeling contoured, firm and energised.
I hope you have enjoyed this blog, please let me know if you need any help with your skin.
Stay tuned for more blogs and follow me on social media for latest launches and more skin school.
Bye for now,
Fiona x
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