Have you looked in the mirror lately and noticed minor changes to your complexion since you welcomed Act 2.5? Has your skin become thinner or a little more dry? Are there more creases or fine lines? Is it sagging in spots, or if you look closely, can you see small red lines from broken capillaries? Are brown spots cropping up on your cheeks, near your eyes, or by your lips?
If any or all of these are true, all is not lost. In our quest to look as young as we feel, there are ways we can fight back the natural phenomenon of aging skin. Since there’s little we can do to stop the hormonal changes and age-related inflammation wreaking havoc on our once radiant skin, we can follow some simple steps to keep our skin looking the best it can be.
HYDRATE – You’ve probably heard this over and over, but it’s imperative to keep your skin hydrated.
- Wash your face with moisturizing cleansers.
- Apply moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30.
- Avoid astringents if you’re skin is on the dry side.
- Protect your skin from the wind and the sun.
- Moisturize from the inside – drink water at every meal and between meals. If you exercise, you will need more.
WAYS TO TREAT WRINKLES AND FINE LINES
At home remedies »
- Avoid the sun as much as possible.
- Get enough sleep (7-8 hours) and try sleeping on your back so you’re not creasing your face by laying on your side or stomach.
- Use products containing retinoids (a.k.a. Retin A), topical Vitamin C, or alpha hydroxy acids.
- Eat fish – particularly salmon, which is rich in essential fatty acids known as Omega-3.
- Once a week use an exfoliant to add life back into dry, dull and uneven skin texture.
- Use a topical skin lightening agent to reduce discoloration and brown spots.
Medical/Spa treatments »
- Botox
- Wrinkle fillers
- Laser light resurfacing
- Chemical peels and dermabrasion
We can’t control the aging process but we can fight the signs of it by following some or all of the techniques outlined above. One way to embrace our time in Act 2.5 is to love the skin you’re in.