Maintaining your youth is that elusive grail that seems like it's always out of reach. Especially once you turn your calendar into the big four-oh, it's quite common to start comparing your current self with a younger version of you. You start listing all of the things that you could do in your earlier years. You start remembering what your skin looked like before you were old enough to start counting the years away.
You can get back to feeling sexy and beautiful again, even in your 40's. But just how do you go about it?
While you can't turn back the clock, there are some things you can do to repair some of the damage done and move closer back to the shape you were in during your younger years. Fortunately, it's not as much about turning back the clock as it is about how you feel and what you do to take care of yourself. Being over 40 isn't even close to the end of your life.
Sexy and Beautiful in Your 40's is About State of Mind
There's a big disconnect between when the rest of the world feels we've reached our prime, and when we feel like we have. It's only in our late 30's that we come into our full beauty, and don't fully hit our stride until our 40's.
In a global study conducted by Dove, nearly six in 10 women believe that men over 50 are viewed as distinguished, but women over 50 are viewed as over the hill or past their prime. Paradoxically, 60% of women said they were not concerned about the idea of aging.
Hmmmmm.
So it seems we're not really bothered by the fact that we're getting older. What gets under our skin is society's perception of aging.
"Women today are redefining aging. It's all about power," writes best-selling author, Naomi Wolf, in her book, The Beauty Myth. "Women today are very rejecting of older norms and expectations of how women have to age. Women are much more accepting of themselves now." That acceptance comes from within, not from worrying about what everyone else is thinking.
Keren Smedley, professional coach and author of Who's That Woman in the Mirror?, says "Feeling sexy is all in your head and, as an older woman, your brain still works pretty well! It's about focusing on what you have, not what you don't have or what you used to have." It involves a pretty big mind shift to focus on feeling comfortable about who and what you are, rather than what you used to be. It requires you to shed all the misconceptions that society has placed on aging and to just be comfortable in your own skin.
If you don't let it become the driving factor in your life, there's nothing wrong with wanting to do what you can to look and feel your best. There's no shame in wanting to look as good as we can for as long as we can.
Skincare in Your 40's
Does it really matter all that much if a few lines and wrinkles start to make their appearance and your skin seems to be slightly saggier than before? None of that has impact on how sexy and beautiful you actually are.
Focusing your skincare routine for specific concerns can help you feel more in control, since these steps are able to get proven results. A good facial regimen requires a little effort and some special attention. Look for products that are rich in peptides, topical pre and probiotics, antioxidants, vitamins, hyaluronic acid, and alpha-hydroxy acids like glycolic and citric acids.
- Use a gentle cleanser like the Probiotic Revitalizing Cleanser. Your skin is prone to dryness, so you don't want to strip it any further while trying to remove dirt and debris.
- Moisturize well with theProbiotic Firming + Replenishing Lotion to combat dryness and rehydrate thirsty skin. Look for something rich and emollient to give you a more supple, luminous appearance.
- Apply an anti-aging serum like Glowbiotics Ultimate Youth Restoring Serum. Choosing the right serum can help to combat damage from the sun and provide an added boost of moisture.
- Wear sunscreen. This is probably the most important skin care tip for any age. UV rays are responsible for most of the aging changes you see in your skin. Protecting your skin as much as possible will minimize those changes longer. Even if you aren't planning on sunbathing, your skin is exposed to sun during your daily activities (like driving to work).
Take Care of the Rest of You
One of the single most important things you can do to remain young, sexy, and beautiful is to take care of yourself. The whole package.
That means you need to learn how to limit your stresses and deal with those you can't eliminate. Eat a good, healthy, balanced diet rich in antioxidants and healthy probiotics, which work to balance your system and stave off inflammation (including on your skin). Get plenty of sleep at night, and exercise regularly.
Because if really turning back the clock were an option, who would want to?! Think about all those awkward first dates you had in your 20's!