Aging is a natural process. How we treat ourselves, what we eat, wear, breath in, who we friends are with – all has a compounding effect on our looks and how we feel. Is there a secret to maintain a youthful look and positive attitude as we age from the biological perspective? Yes, there are many ways – consider them options – to maintain and enjoy our natural beauty in our 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond.
When most people think of beauty tips, they think of lotions to apply to their face and bodies. Some tend to think more about changing what’s inside our bodies. Why is that?
Because a good anti-aging beauty regimen starts from within. When you give your body the nutrients it needs, your blood cells are happy and it shows on the outside. Also, when you are eating a diet that is healthy, with no sugary or fried foods, your skin will be free from blemishes and glow. Getting proper nutrients also helps restore collagen, which keeps your skin youthful.
What’s the most important secret for a woman in her 50s to maintain healthy skin?
The most important thing a woman can do for healthy skin is daily exfoliation all over, not just the face.
Dry skin seems to be a problem, especially as we age. What can be done to prevent dry skin?
There are a few things you can do. Take a good fish oil and vitamin E daily. Drink plenty of water. When moisturizing, use natural oils like coconut, grape seed, or olive oil. Stay away from store-bought body lotions because most of them, while they feel like they are working, are actually causing dry skin.
Many women have hair problems as they get into their 50s. Are there secrets to keep hair from thinning and losing its luster?
Thinning hair is a problem once we reach our 40s. Every decade after our 40s, we lose 10% of our hair. Making sure to get regular haircuts will help eliminate some hair loss, but also supplementing with saw palmetto and pumpkin-seed oil can help you hold onto your locks while putting the shine back. If this doesn’t work, check with your doctor because there could be a medical condition, a change in hormones, or medication that could be causing dull, falling hair.
Many people in their 50s have been living with stress for years. Short of dropping out, is there anything that they can do to reduce the effects of stress in their lives?
There are so many supplements and techniques you can use to minimize stress. I think the most important thing is to make sure you take all of the B vitamins, including folic acid, daily. Also, SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), a supplement, can help reduce stress.
Get a little sunlight every day. Letting the sun hit your iris for even 40 seconds can increase your serotonin (feel-good hormone) levels. When you feel good, you can handle stress better. (a good friend of mine, who is a nurse practitioner, shared this one with me.)
Lastly, it’s a good idea daily, even for just a few minutes, to deep breathe and exhale the stress.
Is there one secret that you’d like every women over 50 to know about maintaining her beauty naturally?
Since you want me to boil it down to one, I have to say you should take a quality fish oil that is high in DHA every day. It is the most important thing you can do for your skin, hair, bones, brain, and heart. It’ll keep everything good on the inside, so your natural beauty will shine on the outside.
There you have it! The secret of beauty on the outside is keeping naturally healthy on the inside. These are very doable tips every woman can implement into her daily life. Start with small steps, get used to one routine before adding anything on top of your busy lifestyle.
As I’m easing into 40 (2 years away) I’m trying to make lifestyle changes now. Fingers crossed.
I have noticed the older I get my skin gets even more dry. So I have been taking care of my skin better.
I am diabetic and that can give me some skin issues. Aging should not be feared. It should be celebrated. And the best way to do so is to stay on top of your game with skin care, healthy eating habits and regular exercise.
I have really noticed a change in my skin this last year. It is so important to have a good skin care routine.
I have been trying to take better care of my skin here lately. I have been using scrubs and trying to exfoliate more often. I think it is working. My skin seems to be much better now!
I am almost 50, and have been putting a lot more thought into my skin care. I’ve tried several new products recently, but have gone back to my stand by.
There are so many things that go into taking care of our skin. I am trying to be better about things like protecting myself from the sun and making sure I have a balanced diet. I turn 40 next year and I want to be more proactive about skincare 🙂
Marysa,
I only would like to encourage you to continue with your good things for your skin.
Cleansing daily before bed is one of the musts. It’s like SPF in our products, and good nutrition with physical activities.
Hugs and get younger with age!
I am in my mid 50’s now. Take care of your skin when you are young, especially use sunblock. Watch all the hair dyes and chemicals. I am now letting my hair go gray naturally. It is thick and luscious and looks great. Embrace who you are and forget what other people say.
Candy,
I am with you on the point that we need to start caring for our skin when we are young, not when the side-effects start to crop up like crazy!
I used to expose my skin to the sun. I realized it early enough to start working on the right things to do and how to protect my skin.
Still, the damage had been done, no matter what came afterwards.
Have been doing the right things to my skin ever since.
I’ve been getting better about using sun screen. I’ve hardly used it all my life so I’m sure I’ll have lots of wrinkles!
Katie,
It’s not just about small lines and wrinnkles. It is about the damage that reverberates in all kinds of ways and shows up in places unexpected.
Just use products with SPF on your face, neck and hands/arms no matter what the weather is. UB rays get to us even through the overcast barrier.
My mom is insistent on me taking fish oils since we were children. I agree with her. It does help to keep moisture in my skin.
Lian,
Thank your wise Mama again and again!
Omega-3 DHA is an amazing ingredient that does more good to our bodies than we know it!
It is especially valuable to our heart and eyes. Skin benefits from it as well, as each cell gets nutrition it needs to use during the rejuvenation cycle that takes its place while we sleep!
PS: Get your Z’zzzz for sure for the better looking skin!
I’m in my mid 30’s but I do know that taking care of your skin needs to happen now and not later!
This post is chalk full of great tips and awareness of skin health – water makes a huge impact and I think so much of us forget that!
Kimberly,
Yes, WATER is the #1 thing that we forget about when it comes to our skin and an overall body health.
Water does us good and is a must every single day.
What would we do without it?
The older I get, the more I notice the differences in my skin. I need to really take better care of my skin and hair. It’s so important as we age.
Lisa,
It is very easy to get overwhelmed when it comes to our skin well-being.
Try to implement one small change at a time.
Start with good hydration – WATER, for every day of your living.
Then, evaluate what you need, and proceed with the next step.
Get used to your routine, make it your second nature before you attempt to incorporate anything new into your life.
Hugs and move forward with your promise to yourself for a better, younger, healthy-looking skin.
I am definitely trying to take better care of my skin. I wish I had started much sooner, but better late than never.
Robin,
Bringing in something life-changing into your daily routine is a must for your mental and physical health.
Taking care of your skin is one of the positive moments that you can do and feel good about it.
In this case, it is not late!
I’ve been making an effort to take better care of my skin and drink more water. I didn’t realize that most lotions could dry my skin. I’m going to have to watch that.
Pam,
Most products contain alcohol and petroleum products. They create the initial smooth, feel-good effect. Yet right after that, the Oxidation process kicks in that dries our skin and calls for yet another doze of that “good” product.
There is a lot to sink in here. I’m not in my 50s yet but I’m closer than I want to be. I need something that will help my skin so I definitely will keep this post bookmarked.
Jeanette,
Don’t go into the overload with information.
Just hydrate, get your sleep, get fiber and good carbs, DHA Omega-3 – these are a few steps that can be done easily. If you do not do something on that list, just add it.
One small step at a time. Make it a routine. Then attempt the next clime!
Hugs to you.
As a woman in my 50’s I can attest to the fact that skin care takes on a new realm. Exfoliation is a must but it cannot be done alone. There is an entire regimen to the process for me. The right cream is also essential. My skin can go from dry to oily in a day. Hello menopause!
Shirley,
You bet our skin health is a multi-thing and routine. Water is the number one thing we must remember. Sleep is yet another must.
These are just mini reminders to all of us to take care of who we are in this life – this body, skin included, is given to us only once to use.
Let’s show and do it with grace.
This post is so spot on. Now that I’m going into my mid-thirties, I’m really making a conscious effort to maintain healthy habits such as unplugging, avoiding sugary drinks, and taking trips to the spa to take care of my body and skin.
Amanda,
You are an exemplary woman! All things you do are what your body, skin and soul need.