Photo: Alexandre Weinberger
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In Your 50s...
It's true at every age, but especially important now: Being beautiful comes from feeling happy and taking good care of yourself. So if you haven't made that your primary goal, do it today, says Cheryl Karcher, MD, associate clinical professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center. In your 50s, you really appreciate the benefits of having made wise lifestyle choices, which are more important than genetics in influencing the rate at which you age, says Darrick Antell, MD, assistant clinical professor of surgery at Columbia University. In his studies of twins, he found that not smoking, avoiding excess sun exposure, and managing stress can have a major impact. You may be noticing thinner skin and sagging. Bone loss around the jaw can lead to jowls; fat loss can create a sunken look. Lines and wrinkles deepen, and hyperpigmentation increases. You may also notice that your skin is dry and flaky.
Your Face Basics
Cleanser
You want to protect your skin barrier, because the drier your skin, the more susceptible it is to damage, says Karcher. Wash daily with a creamy moisturizing cleanser for sensitive skin.
Serum and Moisturizer
Start with a serum containing antioxidants like vitamin C or E, resveratrol, or green tea. Over that, layer your moisturizer and a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Redness due to rosacea can be minimized with Mirvaso, a new gel that decreases swelling of blood vessels. Hyperpigmentation can be reduced with creams containing 2 percent hydroquinone, phytophenol, or kojic acid.
Nighttime Treatment
It's simple: Moisturize and repair. You need a rich night cream with peptides, a hydrating prescription retinoid, or retinol cream or lotion. If the retinoid causes dryness, mix it with a moisturizer or a night cream, or use it only three times a week. You can apply retinoid cream up to your lower eyelids. Be sure to use the night cream on your neck and the retinoid on your chest and the backs of your hands.
Try these 6 essential skincare products for women in their 50s
Next: How to get perfect skin from head to toe
