What Your Age Is Doing To Your Skin

The appearance of our skin depends on our age and how we tailor our beauty regimen to suit our needs. Because we want our skin to look flawless at every age, we tapped LA-based esthetician Vanessa Hernandez to find out how to keep our skin looking young longer. Here, 4 important tips for keeping your skin looking beautiful in your 40s and beyond.

Fab At Forty

Photo: Adam Katz Sinding

Know Your Skin Concerns

"The most common skin concerns for women in their 40s are wrinkles, hyperpigmentation (brown spots), dehydration, and loss of collagen (which results in loose skin). Use a retinol and hydroquinone cream 1 to 3 times a week at night. Mix a small amount of this prescription cream with your nightly moisturizer and you will see results in 6 weeks. Just make sure to consult with your dermatologist beforehand."

Pick The Best Ingredients

"The best ingredients to look for at your age are hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and retinol.

-Hyaluronic acid hydrates and stimulates skin cells to produce more collagen. This diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and creates a firmer complexion.

-Using a product that contains Vitamin C (which is packed with antioxidants) at least 3 times a week will give your skin a healthy, radiant glow.

-Retinol tightens pores, softens fine lines and wrinkles and exfoliates skin, leaving it smoother and tighter looking."

Get Techy With Your Regimen

"Regular microdermabrasion on your face is a must but don’t forget to work on your neck, chest and tops of your hands as well. Those are the areas that can age you, keeping them in consistency with your face is a must. It's also beneficial to do a firming laser on the neck and lower jaw area."

Always Carry Protection

"It’s important to avoid tanning beds and laying out in the sun. The sun is the number one aging element there is–not to mention a cause of skin cancer. Always pack on the SPF, even if it’s not sunny outside–UV rays never stop working."