Our skin changes as we age. We’ve come to expect that. However, once those fine lines and wrinkles start to set in, it can be a challenge to figure out which products work best – without causing more harm. Guest writer, Alyson Monaco, shares 12 simple, natural skincare ingredients for women over 40.
Natural Skincare for Women Over 40
Love the skin you’re in! At least that is the goal most women have as age creeps up. It is no secret that skin changes as we age and some women face dramatic changes, whether it be with a sudden surge of acne, dryness, skin elasticity, and so on. Yes, even after 40, acne can suddenly become an issue! Who wants to deal with that?! It is important to create an age-friendly skincare routine.
Luckily, the skincare industry has made a point to provide thousands of options to tackle any number of these woes. Take a trip down your local drugstore aisle and you can see the proof. So much proof, it can be overwhelming to decide what to choose. You may pick up containers of face washes and creams and not even recognize the long list of ingredients that promise to brighten your complexion and erase the signs of aging. Are these chemicals actually helping?
You have a right to be concerned about what goes into your products and eventually ends up on your skin. In fact, skin absorbs these ingredients incredibly fast – in under 30 seconds – so it is important to weed out the harmful toxins. This is why a handful of brands have come out with all natural skincare that you can trust. There are even natural skincare products you can integrate into your skincare routine that are not found in your typical drugstore. In fact, you will probably be more successful at the supermarket!
Best Natural Skincare Ingredients
Honey
That’s right! Honey not only tastes delicious, but it can be beneficial to your skin as well. A natural antibacterial, honey is great for battling unwanted blemishes with just a few dabs. It is also loaded with those helpful antioxidants that help to soothe and moisturize skin. It becomes a great anti-aging tool, as it can be worn on its own as a mask or mixed with other skin-loving ingredients. Either way, you’ll want to eat it right up!
Green Tea
While drinking a cup of green tea is a nice way to start the day, it is also a great addition to your skincare routine, transforming the surface from the inside out. This tea packs a punch with a high concentration of powerful antioxidants that protect your skin cells from damage. Combined with the caffeine stimulation of green tea, these antioxidants provide some amazing anti-aging effects. Green tea can be found as an ingredient in masks and moisturizers as well, so it is worth putting on your list the next time you hit the store.
Avocado
They may be all the rage on your morning toast, but did you know that avocado is actually an incredible moisturizer? Fact. We eat avocado because they are full of “good fats” for our diet, but those fatty acids are also perfect for keeping your skin supple and nourished. The oils in avocados contain both vitamin E and potassium, making them a perfect addition to your routine. Want a perfectly hydrating mask for your entire body? Mash up an avocado and mix it with honey for an all-over treat!
Sea Salt
As skin ages, it slowly starts to shed dead cells and can show signs of dryness, causing those unwanted wrinkles to be a little more exaggerated than you may like. Therefore, it is important to add exfoliation into your skincare routine. Enter the perfect exfoliator – sea salt. Adding this simple ingredient to your cleansing regimen will help remove dead skin cells as well as keep your skin’s oil production balanced, preventing extra dryness and breakouts.
Essential Oils
Essential oils have been around for a long time, but over the past five years or so the industry has taken some heavy strides, and with good reason. There is an essential oil for almost everything, including skin. If you have sensitive skin, try a chamomile oil for its soothing properties. If you find that your skin suffers from inflammation, causing discoloration, give lavender or tea tree oil a try. Dull skin? Carrot seed oil is for you! There are hundreds of options and dozens of brands. A few drops go a long way and can be mixed with cleansers, toners, and moisturizers to create the perfect mixture for your unique skincare needs.
Vitamin E
You may love the sun, but it is not uncommon to see aging skin associated with sun damaged skin. Prolonged sun exposure, as we know, can lead to skin melanomas and other unwanted medical issues, so it is so important to protect the skin from harmful UV rays. Vitamin E can really make a difference here and can be found in oil form as well as within some of your favorite foods like broccoli, salmon, and sunflower seeds, and has been shown to significantly reduce UV damage.
Spearmint
Wrinkles be gone! Spearmint is here to save the day! The subtler of the mints, spearmint holds a skin-loving secret. Another amazing antioxidant to add to the list, spearmint increases skin elasticity. When skin loses its elasticity, or tightness, wrinkles form, immediately giving way to one of the most common signs of aging. As an added bonus, this magic mint can aid with acne struggles and discoloration from breakouts. Spearmint, like many other natural ingredients can be found in a concentrated oil format, but is also commonly found in teas.
Hyaluronic Acid
One of the major aspects of keeping skin looking young is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. You may have seen hyaluronic acid in the list of ingredients in your natural skincare moisturizer or lip balm, and you should be thrilled it was included. Hyaluronic acid is actually made naturally by your body and is responsible for helping your skin retain moisture. When skin is moisturized, it creates that plumping effect, filling in the fine lines caused by aging, making them less and less noticeable. By adding hyaluronic acid to your products, your skin is sure to remain firm and bright for years to come.
Collagen
You may have heard about collagen over the years, but did you know that it is one of the most abundant proteins found in your body? Found in everything from skin and muscles to bones and ligaments to your blood, collagen may just be one of the most important natural skincare ingredients for skin health. Similar to hyaluronic acid, collagen aids with the elasticity of skin. Unfortunately, as you age, the body does not produce as much collagen as it did when you were in your twenties. Collagen can be taken as a supplement, but is also found in many natural skincare products on the market today.
Shea Butter
A product that has been around for seemingly forever, shea butter is a wonderful addition to consider when it comes to a natural body moisturizer. While it is not recommended for the face, shea is perfect for any skin type because it is gentle, as not to irritate those who have sensitivities, such as eczema or body acne. It absorbs quickly and can provide a thin UV barrier, making it perfect for those who just want to grab something light and get out the door. Luckily, the news of shea butter’s benefits spread like wildfire and the product can be found virtually anywhere.
Aloe Vera
Your first thought of aloe may lead you to the green gel in the sun-care aisle of the drugstore, as this is probably the most commonly sold variety. However, pure aloe vera gel can be taken right off the leaf of the plant and used to fight the signs of aging. The reason aloe vera is so often used as a treatment for sunburn is the same reason it is great for skin in general. Aloe is able to keep your skin hydrated while also stimulating new cell growth. Not only that, but it also contains both vitamins E and C, making it a triple threat of skincare items. An aloe plant is fairly simple to tend to, so it is definitely worth keeping around the house. From plant to skin – how much more natural can it get?
Rosehip Oil
Still a part of the family of magical oils to help the skin, rosehip seed oil holds a special place in the mix. This oil, while sounding dainty and light, works deep within the skin to urge cells to produce more collagen. Remember, more collagen equals tighter skin. When skin elasticity is improved, wrinkles are reduced and other bodily signs of aging such as stretch marks, dark spots, and scars begin to fade away. Don’t let the title fool you. A little rose can make a big difference.
Women over 40 rejoice! There is hope for your skin and it is all natural – and may be just a supermarket aisle away. You no longer need to worry about the insanely long list of chemically-derived ingredients in your skincare. Your natural skincare regimen does not need to be complicated or incredibly expensive. There are so many simple options you can mix and match on your own, as well as some fabulous makers who have already done the work for you.
Natural skincare is worth the time and effort finding the right combination for your skin. It is safe and effective and you are in complete control over what you do and do not use. Treat your most troubling signs of aging with ingredients you can trust and go back to again and again. It will be one less stress and a lot less wrinkles! The natural route allows you to age gracefully so you can spend the next 40 plus years fielding compliments like, “Your skin looks incredible!” Now that’s what every woman wants. It is time to love that skin you’re in.
Alyson Monaco is a published writer, expert in health and fitness, and professional dancer hailing from New Jersey. Her love of how the body works began through early dance training, which lead to a major in Dance at internationally renowned Boston Conservatory. Aside from movement studies, she was trained extensively in kinesiology, anatomy, and nutrition. These would only aid in her pursuit of both Group Fitness and Personal Training certifications through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA)/National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Alyson has been actively working as a fitness instructor, Personal Trainer, and nutrition coach since 2013 and has been writing on her areas of expertise since 2016. She loves working one on one with people of all ages and ability, and truly enjoys helping people find a better quality of life.
