It is often said that you can never fight aging – but if you watched any coverage of the Golden Globes you may not fully believe it. Viewers were left stunned by seemingly ageless stars like Demi Moore, 62, and Nicole Kidman, 57.
The beautiful actresses looked incredible in Beverly Hills at the weekend, showcasing smooth, pore-less faces. Although it’s certain the stars have access to the world’s best beauty treatments and products, the true key to looking after mature skin is a full-proof skincare routine.
When you enter middle age, the feel and look of your skin can change dramatically, and the onset of the menopause plays a big role in its appearance for women. Leading dermatologists have shared how our skin changes as we age, and how we can protect it from aging further by adopting certain habits into our lifestyles.
“The average age women reach the menopause in the UK is 51,” says Dr Nyla Raja, dermatologist and founder of Dr Nyla Medispa. “Reduced blood flow causes your skin to lose its radiance, and oestrogen drops which is an antioxidant, meaning the skin is not as protected from external aggressors.
“Further, collagen depletion is at 2 per cent per year – losing up to 20 per cent of collagen in your 50s, and the skin’s natural cell regeneration and recovery is slower, and hyperpigmentation or age spots can become more of a concern with cumulative UV damage.”
How stress and hormonal changes affect the skin over 50
Menopause’s effect on the skin may be bigger than you’d realised. Raja says: “Skin changes are also a common occurrence during menopause. The most frequent skin-related concern reported during menopause is skin dryness, followed by thinner, more wrinkled and less voluminous skin.”
Raja explains: “Hormones and stress can also heighten skin sensitivity.” Therefore, using products with fewer perfumes is crucial, and adopting skincare with natural, organically derived ingredients will be better for aging skin.
“Look for soothing ingredients that can help with issues like inflammation, such as niacinamide, panthenol (vitamin B) or aloe vera,” suggests founder of Harley Street Skin Clinic, Lesley Reynolds.
“If you begin to experience hormone-related dryness or loss of volume in your skin, speak to a dermatologist about topical treatments such as low-dose oestrogen creams or even prescription-strength moisturisers.”
Adopt a streamlined skincare routine
Repetition and routine is important for protecting your skin after 50. Raja says: “No matter your age, your skincare routine should consist of doubling cleansing – one cream and one water-based product – followed by a moisturiser and an SPF.”
But if you’re looking for a more detailed breakdown of a daily skincare routine, Dr Joney De Souza, skincare expert, details his recommended regime: “In the morning, use a gentle cleanser, followed by a vitamin C serum to brighten the skin. Follow up with a ceramide-rich moisturiser and sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher – even on cloudy days.”
“In the evening, use a nourishing cleanser such as a balm to remove make-up and environmental impurities, then apply your actives such as retinol to boost collagen production. Then finish with a rich night cream – and if you’re over 50 – definitely incorporate an eye cream with peptides.”
Ingredients to incorporate
Ingredients to look out for with maturing skin are those that add glow and volume – attributes that decrease with age. “Retinol or retinoids (otherwise known as vitamin A), vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and collagen are all ingredients to look for to address aging skin,” says Raja.
When it comes to these active ingredients, look for products with a higher potency which tend to be more effective. “I’d advise speaking to a dermatologist to help you find the right products for you as not all ingredients are right for all and will differ depending on your skin’s needs,” explains Raja.
It’s important to exfoliate the skin, however, you do not need to do this as often when your skin is more mature. “Over-exfoliating and using products with harsh ingredients on mature skin which tends to be thinner and less resilient, makes it more prone to irritation and micro-tears,” explains skin therapist and co-founder of Ella & Jo Cosmetics Charlene Flanagan.
While younger skin can reap the benefits of chemically exfoliating once to even three times a week – mature skin should use exfoliants once a week maximum.
Common mistakes to avoid
You may think if your skin is showing signs of aging that it can’t be reversed. But that doesn’t mean you should relax on preventative skincare.
“People over 50 may not wear sunscreen, thinking the damage has been done and there’s no point in protecting your skin at this stage. Wrong!” says holistic skincare specialist Dr Miriam Adebibe. “Protect your skin from the UVA aging rays of the sun everyday, no matter what your age, to reduce skin damage which is cumulative.”
Another common mistake is to not cleanse effectively. Those over 50 tend to wear less heavy face make-up, and so may relax on the cleansing aspect of their routine. “Always double cleanse to ensure you have effectively taken your make-up off, as debris and bacteria can build as well as stain the skin, which can make your skin look more dull than it actually is,” explains Raja.
“People over 50 may not see the importance of caring for their skin as it has changed, but hydration and protection doesn’t have an expiry.”
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