Mature Skin
Condition
Increased dryness with fine lines, wrinkles and broken veins. Uneven skin tone and texture. The appearance of sun and age spots and skin becoming thinner.
Cause
Cell turnover and sebum production decrease from as early as our 30's. Pigmentation problems are most common during these years as skin becomes less efficient at manufacturing melanin. Sun, or, age spots on the face will become more visible and brown patches known as melasma, or, chloasma can appear around eyes, lips, cheeks and forehead during pregnancy, or, as a result of hormonal changes, exposure to the sun, or, taking the contraceptive pill.
In our 40's the protective film on the skins surface becomes less effective at retaining vital moisture which leads to increased dryness. With increased dryness in the skin, you will notice fine lines and some deepening of wrinkles. The wrinkling of skin is a corrosive process called Oxidation (at molecular level) this takes place both inside and outside of the body. It is the same process that causes metal to rust and apples to turn brown when sliced. The seed of destruction is a free-radical whose process is oxidation.
In our 50's cell turnover decreases by almost 50% and the production of sebum for natural hydration slows down and the skin's outer layer becomes less resilient. After the menopause, estrogen (the skins youth hormone) production slows down and the skin becomes much drier. Estrogen diminishes collagen (the skins structural support system) making the skin thinner. As the skins resilience breaks down, broken capillaries can appear on the surface.
Additional Information
Lets lose the leathery look! It is easy to say after the fact "I wish I had known better", but reality is when we were all sunbathing like merry back in the 60's, 70's and early 80's, it was really cool and very fashionable to have a nice deep bronzen tan. It made you look healthy and it also made you look like you were well travelled ! ! Thankfully these days, fake tans have come a long way from the orange streaky days (the manufacturers of this shall remain anon) and you really cannot tell the difference between a real tan, or, a fake one, so if looking tanned is still important, that's OK - just fake it, your lovely skin will age with far more grace and forgiveness by doing so.
A disturbed skin barrier can hasten aging
The aging process of our skin naturally instigates biochemical changes in collagen and elastin. The rate of loss of skin firmness and elasticity differs from individual to individual depending on genetics, overall health, diet, exposure to sun, skin care regime, or lack there of and other factors. As our skin becomes less elastic, it also becomes drier. The underlying fatty tissue begins to diminish resulting in the skin beginning to sag. Skin is less supple and wrinkles begin to form. At this stage the skin is more easily injured, heals more slowly and tends to dry out more quickly.
Age and alkaline cleansing both have a negative effect on the acid mantle. When alkaline products are applied the skins natural buffering system will in time return it to its normal acidic state. However, by the age of 40 and above, the daily renewal of oil and moisture rapidly begins to decrease and can take up to 8 hours for skin to regain its acidity.
This demonstrates that daily cleansing with alkaline products can alter the skins natural protective capabilities. All soaps by their nature are alkaline and as such are in opposition to the skins natural chemistry. It is therefore essential that skincare products be formulated to emulate the NMF (Natural Moisturising Factor) and reproduce as close as possible the natural functions of the skin. To do this the skin needs to get to its natural pH balance. Read more
Web sites: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/womens_health/ Information and advice on the most common health issues affecting women today, including breast cancer, eating disorders, weight control and whether there really is a cure for cellulite. Another good site is www.beingjane.com
Recommended products
Daily Care: Cleanse skin with Deep Pore Foaming Cleanser, use Purify & Energise Super Bioactive in place of water when rinsing skin. Dampen a disposable cleansing pad and gently wipe skin clean. Apply Polyphenol Skin Drops followed by Skin Energising High Potency Concentrate. Feather in either Mega Omegas Day Face if in cold climate or environment that dehydrates skin such as heating. .
Nightly care: Cleanse with Ultra Mild Silken Cleanser, (if removing make up) use Purify & Energise Super Bioactive in place of water when rinsing skin. Apply Skin Energising High Potency Concentrate and layered with Mega Omegas Day Face.
Weekly care: apply Refining Peel Active Mask and rinse with Purify & Energise Super Bioactive. Follow Step 1 or 2 depending on whether you are using day or night.
You can alternate your masks by also using Purifying Active Mask.