It seems the older we get, the less we care for our skin – just when we need it the most! Our skin thins as we age, making it more vulnerable to the elements. Over time, we lose collagen, too, the protein that gives our skin support and firmness.
Worse yet, we may be holding onto popular beliefs and take them as truth. This can be detrimental when it comes to the health of our skin. Think about it: When it comes to other aspects of our health, we don’t hesitate to take action, but when it involves our skin, we often keep it on the back burner.
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No matter what you’ve been told up until now, it’s never too late to switch up your skin care routine. Just because you’re aging and seeing more wrinkles, doesn’t mean you should let it all go… I’m here to debunk some common myths to put skin care back on your healthy priority list.
Myth 1: You don’t need sunscreen after age 40
When you’re younger, protecting your skin from sun damage is a priority. We do it as a means to prevent early wrinkles and sun spots. But it seems as though many of us, once we get to a certain age, our sunscreen use goes by the wayside.
Just because you get older doesn’t mean your skin requires any less protection. In fact, continued use of sunscreen can help your skin repair itself from previous damage. No matter your age, your skin can still become damaged because of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. You should still be using daily sunscreen with a protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more, in a product that contains protective ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide – otherwise your skin can continue to develop wrinkles, dark spots and sagging.
Lastly, don’t confuse your use of makeup as protection against the sun. Unless your makeup already contains SPF, foundation won’t block harmful rays.
Myth 2: If you don’t see immediate results, try something new
When buying any product that promises improvements, we expect it to work immediately. So we’re likely let down when only after a few days we don’t see any results. Rome wasn’t built in a day and therefore your beauty products won’t work miracles overnight.
If you’re not using the product as recommended, you will find you won’t get the desired results. Using an anti-wrinkle cream every other day won’t work nearly as well as using it daily as advised. On the same note, just because you use more of a product doesn’t mean it’ll work any better. If anything, you’re only wasting a product that you spent good money on. In the pursuit of healthy skin, less is more.
As a general reminder, use a product for at least eight to 10 weeks to start to see results, and don’t be discouraged if it didn’t work. Generally, active ingredients do work on most people but everyone’s skin is different and therefore you may not react the same to a product as someone else would.
Myth 3: After washing your face, your skin should feel tight
Just because your skin feels tight and toned, it doesn’t mean it is. If after a long day you wash your face and it feels tight, your cleanser may be far too harsh. This, in turn, will do the opposite of what you need it to do. Instead of looking refreshed, you’ll end up noticing more fine lines and an increase in oil as your skin will overcompensate to keep it moisturized.
My advice? Choose a face wash that offers moisture, instead of stripping the skin of its healthy oils. Better yet, getting your skin looked at by a dermatologist to determine what type you have and can find a product best suited.
Myth 4: Dirt on your face causes blemishes and acne
Even if you’re long past puberty, pimples and adult acne can still happen. What won’t be the cause of it, though, is dirt and bacteria. In fact, sebum is to blame for the red dots and blemishes you might see. Sebum is a fatty secretion produced by the skin which clogs pores. When a pore gets clogged, acne can result. Even for seniors!
Don’t go overboard washing your face; they can dry it out and in turn cause more acne. When it comes to removing sebum and unclogging your pores, gentle exfoliation is more effective with a special exfoliating product once a week – or using a washcloth when you wash your face, instead of splashing it with water with your hands.
If your goal is to protect the delicate skin on your face (who doesn’t want that?), then not following these myths can definitely help. No matter how old you are, you can improve your skin’s texture and appearance, and reverse any damage that might already be done.
Good, proper care and attention can keep your face looking fresh and youthful for years to come.
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