Skincare in our twenties and skincare in our fifties are two very different things. While stumbling into bed with a face full of makeup after a night of partying was a perfectly fine thing to do when you were in college, right now our skin is mature, delicate, and requires some special, pampering care to remain soft and vibrant. Add postmenopausal dryness to it, and most ladies feel a little overwhelmed with the big change that seems to be wreaking havoc on their sensitive complexion.
However, there’s no real need to worry here. Your beauty is merely changing, not dwindling, and all you need are a few good skincare habits to help you bring out that lush radiance.
Hydrate like there’s no tomorrow
It’s important to hydrate both from the inside and from the outside. You can up your water intake by getting a nice water bottle to keep by your side and sip throughout the day, and when it comes to topical products, it’s a good idea to have a good nightly skincare regimen. Start by cleansing gently to get rid of all the dirt and sweat, and then tone your skin with an alcohol-free toner. You can now layer a light serum and a creamy moisturizer after it to replenish moisture and bring nourishment. Make sure to extend the care to your neck and chest.
If you like a more natural approach, you could try using certain skin oils – rosehip oil is particularly good for aging skin because it can fade scars and sunspots, and it can also improve elasticity, brighten your complexion, and make your skin all velvety and radiant.
Up your antioxidant intake
Antioxidants are one of the key things when it comes to postmenopausal skincare. They prevent the degradation of collagen that naturally happens with age, and they can keep your skin firm and elastic when used regularly. Of course, you can find them in various topical products, but for the best result, it’s also a good idea to stock up on produce that’s naturally rich in antioxidants. Some of the much-touted superfoods such as goji and acai berries, quinoa, kale, flaxseed and chia seeds are chock-full of these goodies, however, you can also find them in blueberries, spinach, beans, nuts, and artichokes. Green tea is also a good source, and drinking it daily will go a long way in helping you have a clear complexion, fast metabolism, and a healthy body.
Supplements for postmenopausal skin nourishment
While you can get most of your vitamins from simply eating a healthy diet, certain supplements are still beneficial for postmenopausal skin, especially if it’s prone to blotchiness or dry patches. Turmeric, for example, has a bioactive ingredient called curcumin, that’s very good at fighting inflammations in our body. Since it’s a little difficult to ingest enough of it (our national dishes simply rarely utilize this spice in traditional cuisine), it’s not a bad idea to grab it from a bottle. Daily intake of curcumin supplements can help combat dryness and eczema, and help keep your skin smooth. It’s also pretty good at fighting joint pain.
Some other supplements you can consider are coenzyme CoQ10, vitamin E, and omega-3. Omega-3 is particularly important if you rarely eat food like fish and avocado, as this fatty acid can give you wonderfully soft, nourished skin.
Look for the right ingredients in your skincare
If you love pampering yourself with nice products and want to learn even more about how to care for your skin, it’s important to know which ingredients you’ll benefit from the most. Hyaluronic acid and collagen are naturally found in your skin, so look for moisturizers that contain it because they’re pretty good at keeping your skin well-moisturized. Another great ingredient is vitamin C, and it’s best utilized in serums because they have a light texture and can easily penetrate the outer layers of your epidermis and brighten your complexion over time. Peptides and antioxidants are other things you want to look for on the label. Of course, it’s also important to know which ingredients to avoid, so do your research and get informed.
Wear SPF every day
Sunscreen not only prevents cancer, but it also helps prevent wrinkles, age spots, and an uneven complexion. The trick is to wear it every single day, even in winter, and apply a thick layer of it. While you might think it’s too late to care about prevention right now, sunscreen is still an important part of everyone’s routine that will protect your skin and help all the other products you apply underneath it do their job better.
And most of all, be gentle with your skin and treat yourself like a goddess. Indulge in good products, pamper your complexion, and enjoy the gorgeous glow of your mature skin.
Photos courtesy of Upsplash
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What do you like to use on your postmenopausal skin? Please leave a comment below.
This has some great info! Since reaching menopause my skin has really changed. I can not wait to get my hands on some of these products!
Thank you so much Jessica! 🙂 I’m so glad you found this article helpful, and hope you’ll find the products that you’ll love. 🙂