Going Natural: Anti-Aging Tips for Over 40
Posted July 24, 2018 by Julie A. Mark, MD
It is never too late to adjust your skincare routine. Think of it like a new exercise routine: with a little dedication, determination and education you can undo or halt bad habits.
Around the age of 30, the body’s collagen production slows down. Collagen plays a big part in the elasticity our skin has. When that production slows down, we tend to see our skin change with the addition of dark spots, larger pores, fine lines and wrinkles.
There is no shortage of anti-aging products that promise youthful, supple skin; but some contain ingredients that can do more harm than good. Further, what you put inside your body is just as important as what you put on the outside. Below are a few suggestions and tips to keep skin healthy and glowing at any age.
Keeping skin healthy from the inside:
- Sleep is a crucial element to any skincare regimen, no matter your age. A lack of sleep can cause skin to lose elasticity, create dark circles under the eyes and advance the signs of aging. On top of that, sleep deprivation can also decrease the skin’s ability to recover from sun exposure.
- Sodium in large doses can strip the skin of moisture while also causes under-eye puffiness by retaining water. Maintain your recommended daily amount of 2,300 mg, or just 1 teaspoon, to keep skin looking healthy.
- A deficiency in protein can lead to dull hair, skin and nails. Eating a well-balanced diet full of healthy fats and proteins can produce the opposite: healthy skin and shiny hair.
- Hydration is essential to healthy skin and keeps it looking vibrant and firm. Water is also the Holy Grail to keeping the skin under your eyes supple and dark circle free.
- Sugar is everywhere! It, along with other simple carbohydrates found in white bread, soda and fruit juices can cause your insulin levels to spike, which is just as bad for your skin as it is the waistline. This spike can cause a burst of inflammation felt throughout the entire body. Inflammation can break down collagen and elastin, which are essential enzymes in youthful skin. Your daily sugar intake should not pass 6 tsps. for women or 9 tsps. for men.
A few suggestions to keep skin looking great on the outside:
- The importance of protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays simply cannot be overstated. People should wear a daily facial moisturizer with a minimum SPF of 30.This can be applied to your face, neck and chest to protect against even incidental sun exposure (such as walking to and from your car), as the sun is what really ages our skin more than anything. It is also very important to wear a hat; the bigger the brim, the better.
- Meditation, exercise and laughing are great ways to alleviate stress. Severe stress can show physical symptoms that make skin more sensitive and reactive, which can lead to breakouts and rashes. It can also exacerbate certain skin conditions like rosacea and psoriasis. Sunscreen in the rain, shine, clouds, full sun, partial sun - apply it every day. Did you know as much as 80 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays (UV) can pass through clouds? Damage to the skin caused by UV rays can lead to skin cancer. It can also lead to age spots, discoloration and skin aging and wrinkling.
- Alcohol-free skincare can help with skin that feels dry or skin that produces too much oil. However, not all types of alcohol are bad for your skin. When selecting ‘alcohol-free’ products, you want to avoid alcohols like ethanol and alcohol denat; but natural alcohols, like the ones found in coconut oil, tocopherol (vitamin E) and retinol (vitamin A), can help troubled skin.
- Less is more when it comes to skincare. The fewer ingredients listed in a product the better. Some natural anti-aging super powers are coconut oil, vitamin C, tea extracts, peptides and niacinamide.
Summa Health’s dermatology services provide our patients with high-quality, compassionate care for the skin and for diseases of the hair and nails. Our board-certified dermatologists are experts in diagnosing and treating a wide range of dermatological health issues for children, teens and adults.
To schedule an appointment with a Summa dermatologist, call 800.237.8662.
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