As we age, our mindset and perspective aren't the only things that change — our skin does, too! Loss of collagen, environmental exposures and hormonal ups and downs are just a few of the factors that affect how our skin reacts.
RELATED: The 6 biggest health mistakes women make in their 40s
In other words: If you're still using that same old acne wash from your teenage years, it's time to listen up.
TODAY spoke to two highly respected dermatologists for the scoop on what we should be using at different stages in our lives. Dr. Joel Schlessinger, a board-certified dermatologist and CEO of LovelySkin.com, and Dr. Hilary Baldwin, medical director at The Acne Treatment and Research Center in Morristown, NJ, put together a list of the most common skin complaints they hear from women in their 20s to 70s and beyond.
RELATED: The biggest skin care dilemmas women face in their 30s — and how to fix them
Now that you're starting to combat signs of aging, here's how to treat the two most-common concerns in your 40s.
Wrinkling around the eyes
Those tiny horizontal lines radiating outward — euphemistically called laugh lines (but who’s laughing?!) — may appear more marked in your 40s.
The solution:
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen made specifically for the face and eyes as well as a tretinoin cream. Some versions can be pricey, but it is an FDA-approved solution to treat wrinkles. Because tretinoin products increase the potential for sunburn, you must be diligent about sunscreen, after all, Baldwin cautioned, “fighting the aging process with something that will age you is counterintuitive!”
Recommendations:
SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV with 5 percent zinc oxide, $34, Skinceuticals.com
LaRoche-Posay Anthelios 60, $30, Laroche-posay.us
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Serum, $24, Cvs.com
Renova (prescription-only), $260, Myrenova.net
Aging hands
“Because the skin on the hands is so thin, this area is prone to loss of firmness and elasticity, which, after prolonged sun exposure, start to develop dark spots and wrinkles,” said Schlessinger.
The solution:
Look for a hand cream that helps firm and plump the thinning skin. He recommends active ingredients like retinol and antioxidants which can help improve signs of aging and prevent further damage.
Recommendations:
Dermalogica’s MultiVitamin Hand & Nail Treatment, $26, Dermalogica.com