Skincare for Women

Our skin is constantly changing, so skincare for women can be tricky. Literally overnight, you wake up and your eyes seem to crinkle a little more when you smile. There is suddenly a permanent furrow in your brow. And where in the heck did those laugh lines come from? (Nothing in life is that funny)

These are just some of the signs of aging skin. Others include increased roughness, irregular pigmentation and a decrease in elasticity. All these changes require a different approach to your skincare regimen.

Being a product junkie my skin regimen has changed considerably over the years. I have tried and done it all, from drug store brands to high-end direct sale products.

However, after experiencing a severe middle-aged acne attack (and yes I said attack, I gave new meaning to the name pizza face) I realized that when it comes to skincare for women, sticking to the basics is what works best.

Skincare for older women requires some changes as our skin ages. Today my approach is simple; I use a daily gentle cleanser and exfoliant for my oily skin. In the mornings I use a light moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15, and a heavier cream at night.

Speaking of SPF I can't say enough about sun block. Talking about skincare for older women, sunblock is like a face lift in a tube. I just wished I had discovered the wonders of it earlier. Now I can't live without it.

Currently, I am using a light sun block as my everyday moisturizer. And I always wear a waterproof sport sun block of at least 30 SPF when I am out running or working outside.

When I have time I try to get a facial in. If you never had one, you don’t know what you are missing. However, if you can’t afford a professional facial you can do one yourself at home.

when I can’t make it to an aesthetician, I wash my face prior to getting in the shower, the steam from the water really helps open my pores, allowing for me to get a deeper cleansing without overly drying my skin.

After getting out of the shower, I apply a clay mask and leave it on for about 10 minutes. I then wash my face again to remove any remaining traces of the mask, followed by a gentle astringent and moisturizer.

• Know your skin type, this will help you find products that work best with your particular type of skin, be it normal, oily, dry or combination
• If you smoke, stop. Nothing ages skin more than smoking
• Eat a well balanced diet. A healthy diet gives your skin the nutrients it needs to repair damage caused by the environment
• Drink plenty of water. Water keeps your skin hydrated and glowing. It also helps the body flush out impurities that may damage the skin
• Get plenty of rest. I always notice a big difference in my skin when I have had a full-nights sleep vice a couple of winks