Friday, December 13, 2019
Tired of looking either run down, older than you are, or like your teenaged self when you’re actually in your 40s? Me too.
Over-40 skin care shouldn’t be so difficult. Let’s break down some common problems women can have with their skin care regimens after they turn 40.
I’m 49 this year… but my skin actually has no idea how old “we” really are. My face has decided that it will once again erupt, à la teenager, for no apparent reason. My dermatologist matter-of-factly calls this “menopause skin”.
I’m not even that age yet, but my skin is waving the red sheet like a matador begging to fight.
What Type Of Over-40 Skin Do You Have?
One of the most important things when deciding the best plan of action for good over-40 skincare, is to determine your skin type. Or at least get as close as you can to what the dominant issues are. Most of us will have some combination of the following skin types.
You may struggle with the following skin issues:
- Acne break-outs
- Tight, dry skin
- Oily skin
- Red sensitive skin
Why Is My Face Breaking Out At 40?
Over-40 skin can rival any teenager’s acne nightmare. But why? “Why must I be-e a teenager in love?” (If you’re over 40, you’ll probably recognize that song by Dion & The Belmonts.)
Peri-menopause — which can last up to 10 years — leads up to actual menopause, and female estrogen levels decline. When estrogen declines, testosterone levels often increase in middle-aged women. This rise in testosterone causes skin oils to increase, which can clog pores and cause acne flare-ups.
Hormonal Acne Symptoms
- Red bumpy flare-ups around the nose, chin, and forehead.
- Increase in whiteheads and blackheads on your face.
- Small cyst-looking bumps.
- Break-outs on your chest, shoulders, and back.
As estrogen declines, slowly at first, we notice that our skin is changing… and not for the better. It may be drier, flaky, less elastic, and of course, we may have random hormonal acne breakouts due to these pre-menopause changes.
On your once-pristine nose, you may notice a whole colony of bumps have suddenly taken up residence. Your forehead may also display enough dots to make out a few constellations. I speak with authority on this one.
You will no longer need a magnifying glass to see your pores. Instead, you will pray that evidence of your lunch won’t be prominently displayed in their nice, concave caverns.
How To Treat Hormonal Acne Naturally
1. Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated helps since our skin is nourished from the inside out.
2. Eat foods rich in antioxidants. Tomatoes, sweet potatoes, grapes, berries. **Try this amazing anti-oxidant serumthat’s brimming with vitamin C, for a topical and natural solution to breakouts!
3. Consider going dairy-free for a few weeks. Many cyst outbreaks can be attributed to an overload of dairy or the hormones in dairy.
4. This natural, vegan retinol cream packs a powerful punch
against menopause hormonal acne. Retinol naturally encourages cell turnover so that fresh skin cells can surface. It’s a very effective acne tamer!
5. WEAR SUNSCREEN. Always…daily…don’t skimp. Sun damage only worsens already-aggravated skin, and skin cancer is rampant. My story may help convince you of the critical importance of daily sunscreen! This light-weight sunscreen is the only one I use for my face.
6. Clean and moisturize your skin every day. This is the soap-free wash my dermatologist always points me to when I have acne trouble. The products you use matter! Gentle is better when you’re facing frequent hormonal acne breakouts.
7. Try products with tea tree oil for a natural remedy. Shoot for 5-15% content in washes, soaps, or topical aids.
8. Manage your stress to lower cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone, powerful inflammatory, and enemy to troubled skin. Get out for some fresh air, try deep breathing and meditation, or spend more time cuddling with your fur baby. <3
9. Move more. Getting regular exercise improves circulation, which can settle down inflammation.
10. Nothing takes the place of a good probiotic! These good bacteria decrease inflammation in our gut and can ease inflamed skin.