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Everyone ages at a different pace. However, there are some steps you can take to slow down the process, such as following a strict skincare routine. Below are suggestions from Dermatologists in Southlake, TX, on how to keep your skin soft, healthy and glowing as you grow older.
Start Each Day with a Facial Cleanser
No matter your age, starting each day cleansing your face is essential to remove dirt, oils, and dead skin cells that can clog pores and lead to blackheads, whiteheads, acne breakouts, and even infections. Depending on your skin tone, it can increase oil production or lead to dry skin that’s itchy, red, and flakey. Additionally, the other products you may use in the morning and throughout the day, such as moisturizers, eye care solutions, and blemish creams can’t penetrate your skin and won’t be effective.
Also, consider using cream-style facial cleansers as you age to reduce moisture loss that occurs with more traditional, foaming ones. This type helps rehydrate your face for a more soothing feel and fresher appearance. For questions about how to improve your skincare routine, schedule a consultation with your dermatologist.
Exfoliate Regularly
It would be best if you used an exfoliating cleanser at least once a week to clean any excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells that are on your face will clog pores. Another option is to use a physical exfoliator, such as clothes or facial exfoliating devices that gently clear the skin. As with regular cleansing, regular exfoliation allows moisturizers and other skin products to penetrate the top layer of skin and work deeper for better results.
Never exfoliate more than twice a week, especially if you have sensitive skin. Too much can leave your face red, raw, and painful to the touch. It can also leave you more susceptible to infections. If you develop these symptoms after exfoliating, contact a dermatologist, immediately.
Follow-up Cleansing with a Toner
Wrinkles, fine lines, scars, and skin imperfections increase as we age, which is why an extra cleansing step with a toner is vital before piling on the moisturizers. Toners grab the last of the dirt, oils, and makeup that cleaning may have missed, and helps restore your skin’s pH balance. Plus, when you grab every last speck of foreign contaminants from your face, it further reduces acne outbreaks.
When choosing a toner, pay attention to your skin type. If you experience regular acne flare-ups, pick one that’s alcohol-free but still offers alpha hydroxy acid, which is beneficial for skin, but won’t irritate it. To find out what toner and other facial products work best for your skin, schedule an exam today with your dermatologist.
Moisturize
After scrubbing, cleansing, exfoliating, and using toner, your face needs moisturizer. When applying moisturizer to your face, continue down your neck and chest area—Unless you live in turtlenecks, these areas are also visible, experience as much exposure to the elements as your face, and need cleansing and moisture along with the rest of your body. Additionally, you want these areas to have the same skin tone as your face. If your skin is excessively dry, there may be an underlying condition, and it’s essential to see a Southlake, TX, dermatologist as soon as possible.
Add a Serum
You should also bring a serum into your daily routine after 40. These lightweight moisturizers dive deeper into your skin than traditional moisturizers and can serve different purposes depending on the ingredients. For example,
- Anti-Inflammatories, such as arnica (a type of mushroom extract), zine (mineral), aloe vera and goldenseal (plant extracts) offer neutralizing properties to reduce redness and prevent cell damage from inflammation
- Antioxidants, including vitamin C, grape seed extract, and pomegranate extract help protect your skin from environmental damages like sun, which also increases signs of aging
- Hydrators, such as amino acids, essential fatty acids, and ceramides strengthen barriers that breakdown faster as you age and lead to excessive dryness and fine lines in the skin
For questions about different serums for your skin, schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. They may recommend specific products for your tone and skin type.
Use a Targeted Eye Treatment
One of the facial areas that ages the fastest are around the eyes. Eye creams are thicker, add more moisture, and help reduce those fine lines that accompany the aging process. Ones that contain collagen can help improve the skin’s elasticity, reducing the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes or crows’ feet, which is the popular term. If you’re concerned about lines around your eyes, dark circles, or puffiness that’s not improving with over-the-counter treatments, contact your dermatologist in Southlake, TX, to schedule an exam.
Always Remove Makeup at Night
Next to not cleaning your face in the morning or skimping and even skipping the moisturizers, the most significant skincare mistake is sleeping in makeup. When you don’t remove makeup, it increases the buildup on your face and within pores, worsening acne and making it harder to clean from your face in the morning.
Use a Nightly Wrinkle Cream
Aging and wrinkles go together, but you can reduce their appearance with a nightly wrinkle cream. However, it’s important to remember that without the other steps, cleaning, exfoliating, toning, and moisturizing, adding a wrinkle cream, no matter how expensive, won’t stop or reduce wrinkles. For concerns about wrinkles, speak with your dermatologist.
Try a Weekly Face Mask
While it’s not essential or as crucial as the other steps in your regiment, a weekly face mask can reduce the signs of aging, hydrate your skin more, and be incredibly relaxing for you. There are many types to choose from that carry a variety of additional benefits, such as,
- Brightening
- Clay or Charcoal to remove excess oils
- Peels to remove facial residue and dead skin cells
You can get more skincare tips and help with selecting products that work and will reduce the signs of aging by speaking to your Southlake, TX, dermatologist.
Contact Compassion Dermatology at 817-380-5911 or schedule an appointment online with a dermatologist in Southlake, TX, for a routine, comprehensive exam, or any problems or concerns about your skin.
