Midlife Skin Care: My daily routine
5 tried and tested tips to take care of your aging skin
I must be doing a decent-to-good job with my skin and I get compliments regularly.
Yes, it is not the same as it was in my 20s and 30s, but it seems to be not bad either in my 40s too.
I do have to thank my genes and a fairly regular diet but as I see myself getting addicted to caffeine, I am not sure if it will be the same in the future. I need to cut down on my daily coffee intake.
(I first started having coffee in my early 30s when I got back to full-time work and there was nothing ‘common’ between me and my colleagues during our breaks!
I preferred being a coffee partner to a smoking partner!)
Here are a few of the things I have been following consistently to take care of my skin that I am sharing with you.
All can’t be copy-pasted as we all belong to different races and have unique lifestyles. However, these ones are time-tested. Also, this is not an exhaustive list.
You Should:
1. Cleanse your face before you sleep, always!
We do wash our face in the morning (usually after/while bathing) but cleansing your face before you sleep is so essential. I could be too tired or lazy, but I am not crashing out until I wash my face.
I don’t apply much makeup during the day (usually just a sunscreen lotion, eye kohl, and a lip shade) but I live in a city that has plenty of dust. I use a gentle cleanser, and organic toner (usually rose, as I love the fragrance) and then apply my night serum and cream (I am using a retinol serum and an organic cream) before I call it a day.
2. Moisturize your face.
As we age, our skin starts to become dry.
Just remember to keep moisturizing it daily.
I am a big fan of aloe vera gel that I apply on my face, neck, and hands twice a day.
3. Have adequate Vitamin C — internally and externally.
Unless your doctor has asked you not to!
I love edibles that are more on the sour side, and since childhood, I have loved consuming citrus fruits.
These fruits are now replaced (sadly) with a daily 500 mg of a Vit C tablet that I take after breakfast. It is great for immunity as well.
Externally, a Vitamin C serum is good for the skin too. It keeps the skin soft, supple, and taut; I use such a serum in the mornings.
4. Sleep well.
I need my seven hours of sleep at least; otherwise, I wake up the next morning all groggy. As I am not a night person, this comes easily to me.
All apps on my smartphone are conditioned to shut at 11 pm,
(I am trying to make that 10 pm but then I work a 1-to-10 pm shift and I do need to do some mindless scrolling right after work — which I confess I need to cut down). I try reading a few pages of a book, which guarantees me sleep in the next 5 minutes,
(the only exception is a detective ‘whodunnit’ novel! I avoid these!).
5. Be flexible.
Consistency is key but be open to change — by this, I mean to stick to your daily ‘tried and tested’ skincare routine but listen to your skin.
Is your current routine not suiting your skin any longer?
Perhaps the weather has changed? Your diet has changed?
Practical midlife skin care is about understanding your skin’s changing needs and adapting your routine accordingly.
By following these tips, you can nurture your skin’s health, slow down the aging process, and enjoy a radiant complexion throughout the midlife years and beyond.
If you have your tried and tested tips, please share them in the comments box. :)
