It seems to be a common misconception that to have a great anti-aging skincare routine; you need to spend a fortune on products.
Not true!
There are products on the market that are reasonably priced but work just as well as products that you would have to take out a second mortgage for.
You just need to know what to look for!
In this post, you will learn how to address skin concerns you may have, what kinds of ingredients you should look for, and what products under $20 will help
Skin concerns from 50s to 60s
As you go from your 40s to your 50s, for most people, it ushers in more sped up skin aging.
Some of those changes include the following:
- Collagen production slows – In our 40s, collagen production declines, leading to some fine lines. In the 50s, this process speeds up, resulting in deeper wrinkles and loose, sagging skin.
- Loss of elasticity – The skin loses elasticity over time. In the 40s, the skin loses some snapback, but it becomes much more noticeable in the 50s. Skin doesn’t bounce back as easily and gravity takes effect.
- Dryness increases – Skin becomes drier as we age. In the 40s, dryness may just start setting in, but by the 50s it is often a more prominent issue leading to flaky, itchy skin.
- Thinner skin – As we move into our 50s, the top layer of skin thins out and skin becomes more transparent looking. Underlying blood vessels may be more visible.
- Age/sun spots – Some sun spots may develop in the 40s but they multiply by the 50s, especially on areas like the face, hands and chest.
- Dullness – Skin loses its youthful glow and may look duller and grayer in tone. Fine lines and dryness can make the complexion appear more tired.
- Enlarged pores – Pores may appear slightly larger in the 40s but lose elasticity in the 50s, causing them to sag and gape open more.
- Adult acne – Hormonal acne can persist from the 40s into the 50s, especially in women. Menopausal acne may also occur.
- Decreased cell turnover – As we age, new skin cells don’t turn over as rapidly, leading to a buildup of dead skin cells. This speeds up significantly from the 40s to 50s.
There are some similarities in the skin concerns that emerge in your 50s and 60s, as well as some key differences.
Similarities:
- Fine lines, wrinkles and loss of elasticity progress and deepen as you move from your 50s to 60s. The signs of aging become more pronounced.
- Age/sun spots and uneven pigmentation continue to develop with ongoing sun exposure over the years.
- Skin dryness remains an issue as natural oils continue to decline with age.
- Skin may become thinner, more fragile and transparent.
- Adult acne because of hormonal shifts may still be present.
Differences:
- Loss of firmness and sagging worsens in the 60s as facial fat loss increases and gravity takes its toll. Jowls may become more noticeable.
- The development of deep wrinkles, creases and folds can speed up in the 60s. Crow’s feet, smile lines and furrows on the forehead and neck may appear.
- Skin tags, warts, cherry angiomas and other benign growths become more common in the 60s.
- Susceptibility to skin bruising and tearing increases as the dermis thins.
- Pre-cancers like actinic keratoses may crop up after years of sun exposure.
- Underlying fat loss can contribute to an aged, hollowed look in the cheeks and eyes.
So while many core concerns remain from the 50s, the visible signs of aging often increase significantly in the 60s.
Read also: Budget anti-aging in 20s. Buget anti-aging in 30s. Budget anti-aging in 40s.
How to address skin changes
As you can see, your skin may go through a lot of changes, but is there anything you can do? Or do you just have to accept your fate?
Of course, there are ways to prolong the signs that you’re getting older.
Here are some tips:
- Use anti-aging ingredients – Incorporate ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids, peptides and antioxidants. These can help stimulate collagen, fade spots, exfoliate and firm.
- Hydrate deeply – Focus on deep hydration by using moisturizers with hyaluronic acid and using overnight masks. Staying hydrated internally is also key.
- Exfoliate regularly – Gentle chemical exfoliants can help slough off dull dead skin and reveal brighter skin underneath.
- Wear sunscreen – Protect skin from further sun damage by applying broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily. Reapply often. Limit direct sun exposure.
- Use targeted serums – Use specialized serums for concerns like dark spots, fine lines, sagging skin and uneven texture. Layer serums under moisturizer.
- Focus on renewal – Look for products with ingredients that promote skin renewal like retinol, glycolic acid and peptides. Supporting cell turnover helps aging skin.
- Alter habits – Quit smoking, manage stress, get enough sleep and eat a nutrient-rich diet. These impact the health and aging of skin.
- Protect skin – Wear wide brim hats and UV protective clothing to shield skin from the sun’s damaging rays. This becomes even more vital as you age.
- Embrace richness – Use richer creams, oils and balms, especially at night. Mature skin often benefits from more intensive moisturization.
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The budget routine
You might have gotten away with just cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin in your 40s, but now is the time to add active ingredients. These will speed up cell turnover and increase collagen production.
You’ll also need to focus on more moisturization. So this routine will incorporate it all.
Cleansing. The first step is to use the right cleanser that won’t dry out your skin, will hydrate your skin, can help soften wrinkles, and is budget friendly.
That cleanser is CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser because it has hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and glycerin to soften, hydrate, and maintain your skin’s barrier.
I use this cleanser and love the way it leaves my skin feeling. It’s not tight feeling like with other cleansers I’ve tried.
Toning. You’ll want a toner that will help balance your skin’s pH and also hydrate. It will also need to be alcohol free because alcohol dries out your skin.
The toner to accomplish this is Humphreys Nourish with Witch Hazel and Aloe. They made this toner with Certified Organic Witch Hazel, Organic Aloe, and Vitamin E for moisturizing, softening, and smoothing your skin without alcohol.
Effective Serum. You want a serum that has ingredients, like peptides, that will stimulate your skin to make collagen. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum (formerly known as Buffet) is packed with peptides to address the signs of aging while hyaluronic acid hydrates.
If your skin has discoloration or dark spots, look for a vitamin C serum to help brighten your skin. CeraVe Vitamin C Serum is made with 10% l-ascorbic acid (purest form of vitamin C) to brighten your skin and even out the tone.
It also contains hyaluronic acid and 3 essential ceramides to hydrate and help maintain skin’s natural barrier.
Retinol at night. Vitamin A increases skin cell turnover, makes the skin thicker, increases collagen production, and will smooth out fine lines.
Retinol is a must for your routine and prescription retinol is even better for decreasing wrinkles and evening skin tone. If you’re just starting retinol, then The Ordinary 1% Retinol in Squalane is where you need to start.
If you’re ready for prescription retinol (tretinoin), then Dermatica can save you a trip to the doctors office. Get started now for $5!
Moisturizer. As you’ve already learned, you need to keep your skin well moisturized. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream is one of the best moisturizers you can get, whether you’re on a budget or not.
It’s a rich moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and MVE technology (slowly relases ingredients) to provide 24 hours of hydration for all of your skin.
Eye Cream. Since we are being frugal with our money, you’ll want an eye cream you use both day and night and that will do it all. That eye cream is CeraVe Skin Renewing Eye Cream.
It contains hyaluronic acid, caffeine, niacinamide, peptides, and ceramides to plump, hydrate, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and address dark circles and puffiness. Since it’s such a thick eye cream, you’ll put it on after moisturizing your skin, unless your moisturizer happens to thicker.
Sunscreen. One of the most important steps in your routine, especially when using retinol products. The sun causes the most damage in skin, so you need to protect it.
Look for SPF 30 or above to have the most protection from the sun.
For a sunscreen you can easily wear under makeup, without a greasy finish, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 70 is the one you’re looking for.
It absorbs quickly, leaving an invisible and lightweight feel.
Exfoliate 2-3 times a week. You’ll need to exfoliate using a chemical exfoliator, like glycolic or lactic acid, not a physical one like scrubs. The reason for this is because your skin is becoming more fragile and scrubs can cause irritation and damage.
Exfoliating will help your skin shed those built up dead skin cells, allowing your products to absorb better and give your skin a brighter complexion.
Your skin’s natural process of shedding dead skin cells slows as you get older. So using Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant will help you accomplish this.
Face Masks. Incorporating a probiotic face mask 2 to 3 times a week will you help you build and maintain skin’s barrier. All you need is some plain Greek yogurt.
Apply it to your face and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
Learn the place of probiotics in anti-aging.
Final thoughts
You can have an effective anti-aging routine without spending hundreds of dollars on products. Follow the suggestions above and stick with your routine to keep your healthy, glowing, and more youthful looking.
Do you have a favorite budget product? Please let me know in the comments below!