While we get wiser with age, it comes with certain skin perils that are unavoidable. Lack of collagen in the skin and slower cell turnover result in dull, sagging, and thinner skin. Sure, we had our anti-ageing solutions sorted in our 20s and 30s, but the skin’s needs change as soon as we hit 50s! “Women experience drier and dehydrated skin in this phase because of the lower oestrogen levels due to menopause,” adds Dr Jaishree Sharad, celebrity cosmetic dermatologist.
Skincare Concerns During The 50s
As we age, our skin matures too. The skin turnover cycle changes from 28 to 45 days which means the dead skin stays on for quite a while. This could result in dull-looking skin and cause a change in the skin texture. The other common skin concerns during this phase are dry, dehydrated, and sagging skin. “The production of collagen that gives our skin its elasticity also decreases, leading to skin sagging and showing signs of ageing,” says Dr Jamuna Pai, cosmetic physician and founder of SkinLab.
Adding to this, Dr Jaishree explains that sagging of the skin shows through jowls, loose skin, the ‘turkey legs’ effect on the neck, smile lines, and furrows on the forehead. “There is a shift of fat to the lower face resulting in folds or laugh lines, jowls, and double chin,” she explains.
So what does the skin need once you approach the feisty 50s? “This is the time to focus on tightening and firming up the skin,” says Dr Jaishree. However, the most important question is how it can be done. It might sound cliched but building a skincare routine during this phase demands a holistic approach.
While you can build a skincare routine with potent ingredients and an effective product line, your lifestyle will play a major role in determining the efficacy of this routine. “Skincare routine in the 50s must not be limited to skin, but extended to a general healthcare approach,” says Dr Jamuna. Consume more minerals and eliminate processed foods and sugar to keep the body and skin nourished and replenished.
Skincare Tips for Mature Skin
As far as the skincare routine is concerned, keep it basic but follow it religiously. If you are more of a minimalist, a two-step routine that includes moisturising and wearing sunscreen is enough. If you can work with an extensive routine, Dr Jamuna suggests using a rich night cream with repair ingredients to counter the signs of ageing.
Moisturising: At this age, you’ll need to moisturise the skin frequently to keep dry and dehydrated skin under check. “A rich moisturiser packed with ingredients like shea butter, squalene, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants is a must,” says Dr Jaishree.
SPF: It’s non-negotiable; a moisturising sunscreen with broad-spectrum is a must. Also, remember the three-finger rule while applying sunscreen. Your face and neck need as much sunscreen that covers your three fingers.
Serum: Your skin routine needs to be aggressive as soon as you hit 50! Dr Jaishree suggests including a peptide serum with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants in the AM routine. “Increase the retinoid use to every night, and consider using a higher strength. Apply an anti-ageing serum and a rich night cream to lock in moisture and boost the skin’s oil levels,” she adds. A word of caution here, don’t forget the neck and hands, as they most likely age faster than the skin on your face. Use a rich cream designed for skin laxity on these areas.
Skin Treatments and Special Needs
First things first, skin treatments are safe and there’s no right age to opt for these. If at 50 you feel the need to get fillers to treat the sunken under-eye area, go for it and let no one else tell you otherwise! “For lines around the eyes and the forehead, botox serves well and for the dents and deep wrinkles, dermal fillers will give an instant high,” says Dr Jamuna. Whereas to counter skin fatigue, Dr Jaishree recommends going for PRP treatments which reintroduce growth factors back into your skin and stimulate more collagen and elastin.
Images: Instagram
