Skincare: Prevention For The Ages

It's never too late to get serious about skincare. However, skin care needs change as we age. Therefore, if you want to fight the effects of aging, it's imperative to change your skin-care regimen through the aging process.

In our 20s and early-30s, skin is firm and glowing, thanks to an abundance of collagen and elastin. However, many don't realize what they had until it's gone. Appreciate your youthful skin and pledge to care for it by sticking to a solid care routine, choosing products that prevent wrinkles, and applying sunscreen religiously on a daily basis.

One of the biggest skin care mistakes younger women often make is not using sunscreen as part of the daily routine. It's also important to use appropriate sunscreen, with ingredients that protect from UVA short and long rays and UVB rays. Women in their 20s should choose a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater and one that includes UVA/UVB protection with titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or avobenzone. Wearing sunglasses can also be hugely helpful in preventing aging of the sensitive undereye skin. Women should choose sunglasses that provide at least 98 percent protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

Adult acne can also be troublesome during this time. Again, one of the biggest mistakes young women often make is going to be bed with their makeup still on. Habits like these can add years to the skin down the road. Make sure to always remove makeup at the end of the day before bedtime. Use products that kill bacteria, and exfoliate and unclog pores without over-drying. Cleanse and moisturize on a daily basis and exfoliate twice a week to promote cell renewal.

For those in their 30s, topical retinoids derived from vitamin A can minimize appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Sleep deprivation, drinking and smoking can also be skin robbers. Exercise is also a great way to beat stress and give a boost to your youthful appearance.

Around 40, the aging process begins to take hold. Thanks to the laws of nature - gravity, genetics and sun damage - women become more aware of the effects of aging. Fine lines, pigment discoloration, age spots, and loss of elasticity are just a few of the culprits of the aging process. Issues such as rosacea, blotchiness, and adult acne can also set in. For women in their 40s, now is the time to invest in topical creams that target aging with glycolic acid, retinol and Vitamins A and E. These nutrients have shows to subtly improve the skin's condition and tone with regular use.

In our younger years, we soaked up the rays at the beach, the ballpark and in our own backyards. For those sunbathing in the 1970s and '80s, many of us used baby oil and reflectors to really take advantage of the rays. Unknowingly, we took advantage of our skin's health and vitality. More and more women in their 40s are turning to a combination of medical treatments and cosmeceuticals to use at home. Microdermabrasion, photofacials, and chemical peels help to induce collagen production. Increasing the production of collagen helps achieve the fresh-faced look all women desire. Products such as Obagi C-Clarifying Serum penetrate deep beneath the skin's surface, helping to correct damage in all layers of the skin. Injectables have also become an easy option for women seeking a little instant gratification. Botox, Restylane, Radiesse, and Juvederm all work to smooth away lines and plump up skin.

At 50, the skin is considered mature. Biological and hormonal changes can lead to adult acne and new hair where that was none before. Crow's feet may become more visible and the skin above the eyes and around the throat and cheeks start to become limp.

To battle those pesky problems, some women turn to AFT, or Advanced Flourescence Technology, the latest development in pulsed light technology. The higher concentration of AFT wavelengths target only affected areas and minimize the risk of injury to the surrounding tissue. Vitamin C is also a powerful fighter in the aging process. The vitamin penetrates beneath the epidermal layer and builds and plumps up collagen. It can also be effective in clearing up adult acne.

The 50s are also a time when it's important to stop using pore-clogging make-up. As aging proceeds, the pigment in the skin ages too, which means dense foundations and powders can actually make the face of a woman in her 50s appear ashy and dull. Swap out old blush, powders and shadows with mineral essential-based products.

If Diane Keaton, Sophia Loren, and Susan Sarandon can look marvelous in their 60s, surely there's hope for the rest of us. Women in their 60s want to look at their best, even as decreased hydration, sagging skin, and lower estrogen levels become the adversaries.

By this stage of the game, simply being informed on good skin care isn't enough. It's time to use a collagen-inducing product that also produces elastin - an effective fighter of those annoying crow's feet. Choose moisturizers that pack soy, green tea, retinol, and alpha hydroxyl acids. Use sunscreen with nothing less than 30 SPF daily, and seek treatments and products that encourage collagen and elastin stimulation.

When it comes to makeup, less is more for a woman in her 60s. Cosmetics should not be used as something to hide behind, rather makeup and skin care should be used to enhance and accent mature beauty. Choose cosmetics that contain nourishing ingredients such as aloe, emollients, Vitamin E and natural minerals, which aide in improving the health and texture of skin.

About the Author: Geologix Inc. manufactures spa, massage, skincare, and therapeutic pain relief products using a proprietary formula featuring 34 natural minerals contained in the ancient sea water from the famous Michigan Basin. For more information, please visit AcheAway or Mineral Essentials.