6 things I changed about my skincare routine when I hit 50

A new decade brings the opportunity to switch up your skincare routine. Tricia Cusden, founder of Look Fabulous Forever, shared with us her the beauty changes she made after hitting the big 5-0.

Women can look fabulous at any age and there are many ways that older skin can be enhanced with a little effort and know-how when it comes to your skincare routine. Keeping your skin clean, exfoliated and moisturised along with simple lifestyle changes can have a dramatic effect on how you look and how well your makeup performs when applied to your face.

Small tweaks to your skincare routine can have big benefits. Here are the ones I made when I hit 50…

Find a moisturiser that suits you.

Attracting and holding moisture in the skin is the quickest way to make the skin look brighter, healthier and plumper. Liberally apply moisturiser over the whole face and neck twice a day.

When looking for a moisturiser, I keep an eye out for products that contain Hyaluronic acid, Alpha hydroxy acids and Retinol as there are reported benefits of using moisturisers that contain these key ingredients.

Ditch those bad habits

As you get older, you may find your skin is drier than it used to be and requires more TLC. Beyond choosing moisturising skincare products that provide the extra nourishment older skin needs, watching what we eat, and drink has also been shown to affect how good our skin looks and feels.

I opt for a nutritious diet which is high in antioxidants, vitamins and ‘good’ fats like oily fish, nuts, seeds, olive oil and avocados as it does wonders for the natural condition and radiance of my skin.

Alongside this, increase your intake of water to keep your body and skin hydrated. I try to drink at least 4 large glasses of water a day, but anything more is encouraged.

Protect your face from the harsh glare of the sun

Exposing your face to the sun with little or no protection is one of the quickest ways to damage your skin. It’s been said thousands of times but always bears repeating – the trick to having healthy, glowing skin at any age is to protect it from the sun.

To protect my skin from UVA and UVB damage, I use a sunscreen, and a day cream or foundation that already contains SPF as an incorporated ingredient to make sure that, whatever the weather, my skin is always protected from the sun.

Exfoliate those dead skin cells away

Regularly ridding your dead skin cells from the surface of your face will instantly brighten and rejuvenate your skin.

If you have sensitive skin, or you suffer from conditions like psoriasis, eczema or acne rosacea like me, ask your doctor or dermatologist for advice on the best exfoliator for your skin type.

Never use soap on your face during your skincare routine

Soap strips the skin of its natural oils and makes it feel uncomfortably tight and dry. Instead, I use a gentle cleanser which will remove the cocktail of grime and dirt that accumulates throughout the day from polluted air without disturbing your skins delicate PH balance.

As well as using a cleanser, my skincare routine involves washing my face every morning using only warm water and a clean flannel as I feel like it ‘wakes’ up my face.

It’s not called ‘beauty sleep’ for no reason

Reducing your alcohol and caffeine intake can make for a better, undisturbed night’s sleep which will, in turn, improve the condition of your skin. I find that regular exercise, and relaxation techniques help to clear my mind for a better night of quality sleep.

This article was first published on https://www.womanandhome.com/beauty/skincare-routine-50-325906/