Let me preface this post by saying that my Top Five Over 50 Skin Care Tips should start way before age 50. I wish that I had started way earlier.
Growing up in Fort Lauderdale in the 1950’s and 60’s meant being in the sun as much as you could. Being tan made you look good and it made me feel good. We really didn’t know any better. But still. I wish I had known and cared about what tanning would do to my skin years later.
Back then, using sun tan lotion meant you were a tourist. You could smell the Coppertone a mile away. We used iodine and baby oil and other methods to get the most sun.
Now I am paying the piper, as they say. I have had skin cancers and pre-cancers carved and frozen off of me too many times. That’s why I was religious about using sunscreen on my daughter and now am doing with my grandchildren.
After the first skin cancer appeared around age 40, I decided to start really taking care of my skin. Sure I still have the spots that need attention appearing, but I use products now that will protect and rejuvenate the skin that has been damaged.
I have had people tell me my skin looks great (especially for age 66), so I wanted to share my skin care tips with you. I have not had any plastic surgery. So here goes.
1. Start taking care of your skin early – way before age 50. Believe me, it will pay off with beautiful skin later in life. I started getting regular facials around age 40 (and they don’t have to cost that much.) You can even do your own exfoliation at home with the products out now. However, having a facialist do it, in my opinion, reaps great rewards. Generally, they know what they are doing. Get recommendations from your friends or colleagues. I have a facialist* I have been going to for over 20 years and she is amazing.
2. Wear sunscreen every day, especially on your face, neck and arms, if you are covered up, and all over if you are uncovered. I use a Bobbi Brown Primer Pus Protection with SPF 50 on my face and neck. It provides protection and a smooth base for my foundation. Use a body moisturizer with some SPF as well.
3. Use products with Vitamin C, B, A, peptides, amino acids, glycolics and a good moisturizers. They honest to goodness really work! I use them morning and night under my make-up and especially at night on my face and neck. The product line that I use is Amino Genesis – my facialist recommended it and I swear by it. I am not an affiliate. But you can use any you can find even at the drugstore with “anti-aging” (I hate that term) ingredients faithfully and you will see a difference in your skin.
4. Eat whole foods and lots of leafy veggies. Limit sugar which is an inflammatory, because it will show up on your face and skin in general. Redness, broken capillaries, puffiness, you name it. I know I preach a lot about limiting sugar, but I know what it does to your body in raising insulin and what it does to your skin and body (storing fat) in general. Ditch it and your skin will look so much better!
5. Avoid stress. When you are stressed, you may have breakouts. I know I do. Lack of sleep, because you are worried or stressed, shows up in dark circles, puffiness, even lines and wrinkles. Find ways of calming yourself and finding peace. Walking is great, biking, yoga, tai chi, meditation. Find what works for you and do it!
So those are my Top 5 Over 50 Skin Care Tips. If you have more questions about my skin care routine or if you would like some help with your style or weight loss, contact me here. We’ll have a great conversation about your next steps to taking good care of yourself, de-stressing and having a Style Revolution!
*my facialist in Tallahassee is Andrea Smith – phone 850-556-1896
Jane Springer is a certified Life, Wellness and Style Coach who assists women in taking care of themselves, in body, mind and spirit. She coaches women who want to lose weight, avoid diabetes, and feel great. She also helps them thrive after divorce. She also helps them to clear their closets of old clothes and outdated attitudes, so they can shine and feel confident.