So you’re approaching 40 and you are beginning to see changes in your skin. Let’s talk about anti-aging skincare and why you need it.

What we see on the outside is often an indication of what’s going on below the surface so we are going to discuss the most common age-related skin issues, why it is happening and what you can do about it. Although there are some lifestyle changes that can help you to age more gracefully from the inside out, such as finally getting a hold on that diet of yours or making sure you get regular, daily exercise, we are going to address what anti-aging methods you can do for your skin that will get you some positive results with consistent use.

Fine Lines & Wrinkles

Fine lines and wrinkles often begin to appear in your 30’s, becoming much more distinct in your 40’s, but there are steps you can take to prevent and correct this first sign of aging. Adopting a preventative skincare routine can help to slow the formation of the deeper, defined wrinkles so a good eye cream such as our Caffeinated Peptide Eye Complex, Lumen would be a great way to help keep those lines at bay. If you haven’t started with a good, hydrating eye cream yet, it’s not too late to start. I first began to notice defined lines around my eyes in my mid 30’s but after consistent use of a solid skin care regimen, the appearance of my lines have been almost completely diminished. The key is to stay regular and consistent.

As we age, the rate of cellular production and cellular turnover (the rate that old cells are replaced with new, fresh cells) decreases, resulting in dull, tired looking skin with the appearance of more obvious fine lines and wrinkles. Due to this change in cellular activity, wound healing is also slower. Further to this, our body produces less collagen and elastin as we age so this is where introducing products to your skin care routine that stimulate collagen and elastin production would help to boost the body’s natural skin function, helping to smooth the appearance of those fine lines and wrinkles. A great product to use for this would be our Matcha & Plum Active Face Oil, Laetus which is loaded with potent antioxidants, skin softening plant seed oils and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, an effective, bioavailable vitamin C derivative that is safe for even the most sensitive skin types.

Uneven Skin tone/ Dark Spots

Two of the most common reasons for hyperpigmentation is hormones and sun damage. ‘Age spots’, as they have been known to be called, are caused by overactive pigment cells. Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives the skin its color. On skin that has had years of sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped or is produced in high concentrations. The best way to address skin discoloration is to prevent further damage while also addressing the current damage. It takes consistent use of topical treatment, but it is possible to fade the appearance of the spots. 

When it comes to diminishing the appearance of dark spots, brightening products that contain vitamin C or niacinamide such as our Catechin & Niacinamide Serum, Fortem are a good option. Niacinamide is an effective skin lightening compound that works by inhibiting melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes (source). Products that help to increase cellular turnover with the use of vitamin C while softening the texture of the skin such as Laetus, Matcha & Plum Active Face Oil can also be beneficial additions. 

Exfoliation is also an important step in the treatment of skin discoloration; you should be exfoliating the skin once but no more than twice a week to help increase the rate of cellular turnover. A good daily SPF is also essential to protect the skin from ongoing UV exposure so if you haven’t started to use one, now is the time to start. If you discover that hormones are the cause of your skin darkening, working to naturally balance your hormones would enable you to see optimal results from your new skincare routine. Need help balancing those hormones? Check out our blog post, How to Balance Hormones Naturally.

Dry/ Dehydrated Skin

One of the most common symptoms we notice as we age and when we enter the perimenopausal stage of life (typically in your 40’s, the stage before menopause), is dry, dehydrated skin. As estrogen levels begin to drop, our dry, dehydrated skin may be accompanied by acne, wrinkles, hair loss and thinning of the skin.

Increasing your water intake is an important part of ensuring your cells are getting enough moisture from the inside, but you can also improve the hydration of your skin with products that increase the moisture content of your skin by repairing and supporting your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Reduced skin barrier function can result in dry, dehydrated skin in addition to a reduction in elasticity and cellular turnover. 

Utilizing a barrier-repairing moisturizer such as our award-winning Daily White Tea Moisturizer, Mitis, can help to support the skin barrier while also giving the skin a potent dose of catechins, the antioxidants responsible for combating cellular degradation. For added protection, implementing a hydrating night cream such as Taceo, Prickly Pear and Blue Tansy Concentrate into your skincare regimen can restore your skin barrier and protect the skin from transepidermal water loss (TEWL) while you sleep.

As women, hormonal fluctuations are a part of our lives from the moment we begin puberty. However, at various stages of life, we may experience severe hormonal imbalances that may be a result of lifestyle choices that can have real, debilitating symptoms such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, weight-gain, and skin changes. If you need help balancing your hormones naturally, read our blog post, How to Balance Hormones Naturally.