Beauty over 40: The Complete Guide

 

Reaching 40 is an incredible milestone. Most of us are through having babies, nursing babies, potty-training toddlers, and all the other joys of our 20s and 30s. Our 40s are a time of new freedoms and adventures.

However, it is also the time when our bodies and faces start changing and we become concerned about maintaining our youthful appearances. And sadly, we also start paying for the sins of our youth – like too much sun exposure.

Fortunately, finding the best anti aging skin care and makeup for over 40 is easier for us than it was for our grandmothers. We benefit from current research and are able to take advantage of newer products to help us fight old damage to our skin, prevent new damage from appearing, and even cover up what we can't fix ;)

Beauty over 40: Finding the Best Anti Aging Skincare and Makeup

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There are several steps to finding the best anti aging skincare and makeup. The steps include identifying our specific skin concerns and learning as much as we are able about the different types of products available and the ingredients in those products. Researching our options before we order online or go shopping saves money and wasted effort. So, Beauty over 40, here we go:

 

Step 1: What are my Anti Aging Skin Care Concerns?

The first step in accomplishing our best anti aging skin care is to define our concerns. There are several issues that are common after 40 and often we are concerned about more than one of them. Good research can help us identify anti aging products which address more than one issue. So, what are your concerns?

• Dry skin
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Enlarged pores
• Dark spots, uneven skin tone, sun damage
• Sensitive Skin
• Acne

 

Step 2:  How do I treat my Anti Aging Skin Care Concerns?

The next step is to decide how to treat each concern. Below are the product types and ingredients to look for in each of the products.

Dry Skin:

Dry skin can be treated with a number of different anti aging products. A good moisturizer is obvious, but toners can help as well. Many products fall under the label “toners.” Some are actually astringents for acne-prone skin that tighten pores. Toners in an anti-aging skin care routine should have a soothing effect by replacing moisture and oils after cleansing. If you have dry skin, avoid alcohols and witch hazel in your toner. Moisturizers will contain these ingredients:

• Dimethicone: Dimethicone is the main ingredient in oil-free moisturizers; It is “a light emollient that forms a protective layer over the skin's surface, helping to hydrate and keep moisture in”) (1)
• Petrolatum:  Petrolatum is great for dry skin if you are not concerned about oil. It “prevents water loss” and “hydrates rough dead cells on the skin's surface.” (2)
• Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid plumps and softens the skin.
• Glycerin:  (Also known as glycerol.) “It helps maintain the skin's outer barrier, which helps prevent dryness and flaking.” (3)
• Ceremides:  Ceremides help maintain the “skin's natural moisture barrier.” (4)

 

Fine Lines and Wrinkles:

If you are concerned about fine lines and wrinkles, there are two products you must have. The first is a good sunscreen, used EVERYDAY, and the second is a treatment or anti aging serum containing retinol. Retinol is the absolute gold standard (non prescription) ingredient for reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Look for retinol in the ingredient list of the product and use it twice a day.

• Retinol: Retinol is a vitamin A compound and is available in over the counter products. It is shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other sun damage, like dark spots. The prescription form, tretinoin, is much stronger.

 

Enlarged Pores: 

Several things cause large pores, including the loss of elasticity in our skin as we age, oil production, and genetics. While our pores will not shrink with treatment, their appearance can be reduced. Using a gentle cleanser twice a day to remove oil, exfoliating, and using a retinol product will help. A makeup primer will help your makeup not sink into the pores and improve your appearance. (5) Look for products containing retinol, hyaluronic acid, and:

• Hydroxy Acids: Hydroxy acids are exfoliants, meaning they remove the upper layer of old, dead skin and help grow new skin. There are several types of hydroxy acids, but beta hydroxy acids (salicylic) are the best at reducing large pores.
• Niacinamide: Niacinamide is also know as vitamin B-3 (niacin). It helps reduce water loss in the skin and may improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, and dullness.

 

Dark Spots and Uneven Skin Tone:

Dark spots and uneven skin tone are caused by sun exposure. Use a sunscreen EVERYDAY to avoid further damage and look for products with these ingredients to improve appearance and fade dark spots:

• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It helps protect the skin from sun damage, evens skin tones, and fades dark spots.
• Coenzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 may protect from sun damage and prevent damage from free radicals.
• Hydroquinone:  A skin lightener
• SUNSCREEN: Every day!!

 

Sensitive Skin:

Even if your skin has never been sensitive before, it may become sensitive with new hormonal changes and other effects of aging. Avoid scented products and other ingredients such as alcohols, witch hazel, and scented plant extracts. Be cautious and follow instructions with your products. Don't overdo the retinol, Vitamin C, and exfoliants. Your skin may have to build up a tolerance for these ingredients. Look for products containing these ingredients to help with sensitivity:

• Hyaluronic Acid
• Plant and Tea Extracts: Unscented plant and tea extracts have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Acne:

Some of us are done with acne and others have it for the first time. Look for these ingredients in your products and avoid overly emollient moisturizers.

• Benzoyl Peroxide
• Beta Hydroxy Acid

 

For more information on Anti-Aging Ingredients, see: Beauty over 40: What to Look for in Anti-Aging Products

 

Step 3: How to Shop for Products:

 

• Check out review sites, ask friends, and see: Beauty over 40: Skincare Products I Love and Beauty over 40: Reader Recommendations for Skincare over 40.
• A great review site is Beautypedia.
• Remember that price is not always an indication of effectiveness. Many drugstore and lower priced department store products are just as effective as their pricier counterparts.

 

Step 4: Learn from Experts:

 

• Watch videos on You Tube. There are so many fun and informative skin care and make-up tutorials on You Tube that it is easy to spend hours watching them. I like to focus on the ones for gals over 40. See Beauty over 40: Best Make-up and Skincare Videos.
• Get a make over at a cosmetic counter or Sephora. If the products are too expensive, ask the makeup artist to recommend a cheaper version or explore Beauty Blogs and Beauty Videos that recommend “dupes” for expensive products.

 

Step 5: Have Fun Trying New Things:

 

I started the Beauty over 40 series because I wanted to know what I needed to do to maintain my skin, correct some dark spots, and update my makeup. I had been in a skincare/makeup rut for quite a long time. Researching the articles and buying new products has truly been a fun journey. I watched way too many videos and bought way too many products, but, hey, what is a good midlife crisis for?!? I still have several videos and products on my list to try. I have listed my favorite product discoveries below.

My favorite discoveries from this journey are:

Alpha Hydrox Spot Light Targeted Skin Lightener: This product contains Hydroquinone, which is helping to fade some some sun spots on my arms and chest.

Rodan and Fields Dual Active Brightening Complex: My retinol and Vitamin C product. (through my consultant; not an affiliate link)

Benefit POREfessional Primer: Love, love, love this stuff. The ONLY primer I have tried that actually makes my pores disappear.

Lancôme Genifique Yeux eye cream: A great eye cream that goes on easily.

Lancome Cils Booster XL (eyelash primer): My daughter kept telling me how great eyelash primer is and I thought it was a tremendous waste of money. Until I tried it. Wow. It makes a big difference in the thickness and overall effect of my lashes.

Beauty Blenders: I bought the whole set. I use the big pink blender and the gray blender daily. I have not found a use for the little green blender. The soap is included in the set. One of the beauty vloggers I watched said that she had been constantly asked for a cheaper “dupe” for the beauty blender and could not find a really good one, so for now the original reigns supreme.

 

 

 

Achieving our best Beauty over 40 has some new challenges, but there is no reason why we can't still look hot as we glide from our 40s into our 50s and beyond. My research has said the key is sunscreen, sunscreen, and more sunscreen. If you are younger than 40, get on the sunscreen bandwagon now. It is never too young to protect from sun damage. Researching before you shop will save you money and disappointment with products that claim in big print on the front label to help, but don't have the ingredients to actually do the job. Shopping online is a great option because it is easy to look at products and research ingredients and reviews at the same time.

 

 

 

 

Sources: (1), (2), (3), and (4): 5 Important Ingredients in Face Moisturizers for Women

(5) What Causes Large Pores?

 

Skincare over 40: What to Look for in Anti-Aging Products

 

Getting older has its advantages, but wrinkle-free skin is not one of them. Wrinkles, dry skin, and dark spots send us looking for products to combat these issues. There are more products available than we could ever try and the range in cost and descriptions is overwhelming. This article, Skincare over 40: What to Look for in Anti-Aging Products, will help you decipher the labels and claims, beginning with this list of the most common ingredients used in anti-aging products.

Skincare over 40: What to Look for in Anti-Aging Products

 

Let's start our examination of what to look for with a list of the common ingredients found in anti-aging products.

Anti-Aging Ingredients:

• Retinol:  Retinol is a vitamin A compound and is available in over the counter products. It is shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and other sun damage, like dark spots. The prescription form, tretinoin, is much stronger.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant. It helps protect the skin from sun damage, evens skin tones, and fades dark spots.
• Hydroxy acids: Hydroxy acids are exfoliants, meaning they remove the upper layer of old, dead skin and help grow new skin. There are several types: alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid), and poly hydroxy acids.
• Coenzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 may protect from sun damage and prevent damage from free radicals.
• Peptides: Peptides are amino acids that help produce collagen or stop it from breaking down.
• Tea extracts: Teas like green, white, black, and oolong have antioixidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea is the most common tea extract found in anti-aging products.
• Grape Seed Extract: Grape seed extract promotes wound healing and is soothing to the skin.
• Niacinamide: Niacinamide is also know as vitamin B-3 (niacin). It helps reduce water loss in the skin and may improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, and dullness.
• Hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is a very effective moisturizer and can be used to help Vitamin C penetrate the skin.
• Hydroquinone:  Hydroquinone is a skin lightener.

 

Anti-aging ingredients are found in many different types of products, such as those listed below.

 

Types of Anti-Aging Products:

• Cleansers: Cleansers remove oil, dirt, makeup, sunscreen, and pollen.
• Toners: Many products fall under the label “toners.” Some are actually astringents for acne-prone skin that tighten pores. Toners in an anti-aging routine should have a soothing effect by replacing moisture and oils after cleansing.
• Exfoliants: Exfoliants remove dead skin and help the skin absorb other products. Some exfoliants are mechanical with an abrasive (micro beads, pumice, etc) in the product or are an abrasive material, like a facial skin cleaning brush. Other exfoliants are chemical like the hydroxy acids mentioned under “Ingredients” above.
• Serums and other treatment products: Serums and treatment products are extremely important in an anti-aging routine. These should include anti-aging ingredients, like retinol or vitamin C.
• Eye creams: There is some debate about whether a special eye cream is necessary. Many contain the same ingredients that are found in facial moisturizers, but are pricier and are in a smaller package.
• Moisturizers: Moisturizers hold water in the skin, which keeps the natural oils on your face and prevents harmful outside elements from drying out and irritating your skin.
• Sunscreen: We are all probably tired of hearing about sunscreen, but it is the most important step in a good routine. Almost all skin imperfections are caused by sun damage. Sunscreen should be applied every day, year round.

 

 

 

How to Select Anti-Aging Products:

Deciding on a skincare routine and selecting products should not be complicated. It only seems complicated at the store because there are 10,000 products screaming their benefits at us, leaving us to buy things willy-nilly or exit frustrated. These steps will help the process.

• Research products before you go to the store. Trying to read the tiny labels on the back of the products is nearly impossible, no matter how strong your readers are. It is fairly easy to find the list of ingredients for any product on the manufacturer's website.
• Understand the difference in prescription anti-aging products and cosmetic anti-aging products. Prescription products have a proven effect and a much higher concentration of ingredients than is allowed in their over-the-counter cousins. Over-the-counter anti-aging products are considered cosmetics by the FDA. They do not have to prove that they are effective or that their claims of taking 10 years off your face are true. They only have to show that their products are safe to use. Over-the-counter products have undergone some studies, but those studies are not the same as the years and years of standardized studies that a prescription product must go through to go to market. Advertisers and marketers are also allowed a certain amount of “puffery” to sell their products.
• Price is not an indication of effectiveness. Many drugstore products are just as effective as pricier products.
• Look at the packaging. Jars that you dip your fingers into every day are less sanitary than pump or tube dispensers. Be especially observant of the packaging of a vitamin C product. Vitamin C will begin breaking down the moment it is exposed to air and sunlight. Vitamin C in a jar is not a good use of your money.
• The products have to be used consistently and may take weeks to show an effect. And sadly, if you stop using them, the effect will disappear. It takes commitment to a routine both morning and evening. If you are not committed, it is likely a waste of money to purchase the serums and specialized products.
• You do not have to buy every product from the same line. One brand may have a great cleanser, but their sunscreen causes you irritation. The claim that they are “made to work together” is not entirely accurate. If you pay attention to ingredients and the purpose of each product, you can create a routine that is tailor-made to work together for you.
• Every face is as different as every snowflake. The products that work for a friend may not work for you. It is unfortunately a journey of trial and error until you find what works best for your skin.
• If money is a concern, start by trying the cheaper products. Give them a month (unless they cause irritation) to see how they work before buying something pricier. (Or trying a different drugstore product.)

 

Anti-aging ingredients and products seem overwhelming. I receive e-mails and catalogs every day touting the magic available in bottles. However, there are no miracle products, only products that will “help.” Choose your ingredients and products carefully and commit to using them consistently for the best results. I hope that this article, Skincare over 40: What to Look for in Anti-Aging Products has assisted you in your research.

The next article in this series will review products and provide more insight into looking youthful. Comment below with your best anti-aging advice and products you like.

Sources:

I made it my goal to find my information from sources that were not selling products. Some websites I relied on and that have good information are: Webmd, Health.howstuffworks, and Mayo Clinic. The links will take you to one of the articles I used on each site, although I read many.

Beauty over 40: Best Makeup and Skincare Videos

    I've had to face the facts. I'm looking older. A particularly scary recent photo of me revealed many things I have not wanted to see – wrinkles around my eyes, droopy eyelids, and bad makeup application. Thus, my new hobby: watching makeup and skincare videos on You-Tube, and a new blog series: Beauty over 40. Having spent days watching these videos, I want to share the best ones. So, here goes…. Beauty over 40: Best Makeup and Skincare Videos   This post is part of a series on Beauty over 40. The other posts in the series are: Beauty over 40: What to Look for in Anti-Aging Products Beauty over 40: Skincare Products I Love Beauty over 40: Reader Recommendations for Skincare over 40 Beauty over 40: The Complete Guide  

Beauty over 40: Best Makeup and Skincare Videos

  Using the search function on You-Tube, you can find all sorts of videos about makeup and skincare. Almost none of them are for us, the almost empty nesters (and empty nesters) with unique makeup and skincare needs. What works for a 25 year old is not the same as what works for a 40+ year old. As I conducted my search, I looked for several qualifications in the you-tubers:

1. At least 40 years old
2. No obvious surgeries, botox, etc. If the first thing I notice about someone is that they have had a botox injection, that is not beauty to me. I am not opposed to procedures, but they should make you look better and not like someone who has had “a lot of work done.”
3. Uses and reviews both high end and lower end (“drugstore”) products.
4. Not selling one particular brand or line of products.
5. Their videos need to be recent. It is a plus if they publish videos on a consistent basis.

 

Hot and Flashy

I absolutely could not resist this gal's videos. She had me with the name of her channel – “Hot and Flashy.” She is 54 years old and describes herself as a “Benjamin Button.” (#goals) Her site says it serves those who are “over 50,” but I would be happy to have her skin at 48! She publishes videos frequently. They are of good quality and have a wealth of information. Here are her morning and evening skincare videos:

Ella Leary Artistry

OK, I'm not sure this gal is actually in her 40s, but she covers many makeup and skincare issues that affect aging skin. She is a professional makeup artist and includes videos that cover more than aging. I chose to share her tutorials on undereye bags, discoloration, and circles. She also has a great one on contouring and highlighting mature skin.

Cate Trunnell

I loved watching Cate Trunnell's videos especially her “5 Drugstore Products in 5 Minutes” (because that is the kind of makeup routine I love) and her “Makeup Basics” videos. She is very relatable and fun to watch.

Hip Chick Online

I chose this video blogger even though she does not post that frequently. Her videos are short and informative and cover makeup, skincare, hair, and clothing. One of the reasons I chose to feature her is that she has darker hair, eyes, and skin than the other ladies I listed, so if you are not fair-skinned, it might be easier to see how products look on her. She works in the beauty industry.

I am absolutely amazed at the things you can learn in the comfort of your own home using video tutorials and classes. These makeup and skincare videos for women over 40 are the bomb. (Thank you video bloggers!) I have taken copious notes and I am excited to watch and re-watch them while I am actually in my bathroom with my makeup!