Aging with Grace Calls for New Approaches
Just as we change through the decades, our skin care regimen needs to change too. Your skin reflects
your internal health and helps to tell the story of your life. CHFA wants to make sure that the story your
skin tells is one of health and wellness.
As we grow older, our body goes through tremendous change. From the hormonal ups and downs to the
temperature extremes, the natural signs of aging, like wrinkles, begin to appear as we move from
decade to decade.
At each life stage, our nutritional needs also shift. Getting the right nutritional balance can help us to
enhance overall health and maintain beautiful skin, which really is an outward expression of our health.
Because of this, we need to rethink and refresh our skin care routine as we age to ensure that we glow
from the inside out. Read on to discover tips for aging gracefully and naturally from our 20s through to
our 50s.
The Twenties are a Big Transition
It is the decade of leaving home, going to college or university, first jobs and, for some, new families.
This jump to adulthood can often break the bank and the lingering effects of limited cash and fluctuating
hormones can leave our skin lacking luster. CHFA wants to help Canadians in their twenties to refresh
their skin care routine naturally with simple tips and tricks that will not only save money, but lay the
foundations for good, long-term skin-care habits.
The most common skin complaint in our twenties is acne. This is often caused by the use of dehydrating
skin care products and harsh cleansers that strip our skin of their natural oils. As a result of this practice
our oil glands can go into overdrive to compensate, leading to pimples and breakouts.
Try to opt for a gentle, natural cleanser. In fact, raw, unpasteurized honey is an amazing addition to any
cleansing routine. Packed full of nutrients and natural, antibacterial enzymes, honey can gently clean
away dirt and bacteria for fresh, radiant skin.
An additional key acne prevention tip is to support and enhance your natural oils while reducing
inflammation in the skin. Research into Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly the long-chain versions called
EPA and DHA found in fish oil, have extensive cosmetic benefits. These anti-inflammatory fats can
reduce redness by “calming” blood vessels in the skin, while supporting the natural oils produced to
keep our skin moisturized, full and shimmering.
Our youthful twenties is the time to develop good skin care habits. Protecting our skin with diligence
from the damaging effects of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays is a must. Make sure to apply a sunscreen with
a minimum SPF of 30 prior to heading out into the sun, and re-apply at regular intervals for proper
protection.
Transitioning into your Thirties
Throughout this jump into adulthood, the transition from our twenties to our thirties can mean some of
the biggest changes to our life and body. Whether it is starting a family and trying to keep up with the
non-stop pace of little ones, or hitting your stride at work, the stress of the thirties can show on your
skin.
It’s in this decade that our skin can start to thin and lose collagen. Did you know many nourishing skin
serums contain vitamin C as an antidote to collagen breakdown? Ensuring your diet is rich in foods high
in vitamin C, such as, citrus fruits, dark leafy greens and bell peppers is a must. You may also want to
speak with your health care practitioner about adding a vitamin C supplement to your routine to
maintain a youthful glow through this busy decade.
If you’re looking for an added topical boost, visit your local health food store for a growing range of skincare products that can support healthy collagen formation. Whether it is Vitamin A-enriched masks or
Vitamin-C enhanced serums, speak with your local natural health retailer for a variety of innovative
options.
Embracing the Big Four-O
By the time we reach our forties the effects of our lifestyle can start to show on our skin and having a
healthy inside truly show on our outside. Research continues to point to a link between our digestive
tract and skin health. The forties can also be a good time to focus on fibre and consider adding a
probiotic to your routine. A growing body of research shows that probiotics can help to keep your
immune system in check and may help combat dermatitis and eczema.
The forties are also a good time to familiarize yourself with free radicals. Those pesky oxygen-based
chemicals can wreak havoc on healthy cell components by chemically burning internal skin cell parts,
including structural proteins and DNA. They are a key concern for skin health; preventing oxidation is an
important approach to maintaining a healthy skin. Sun exposure and air pollution can be potent
generators of free radicals. The forties are a great age to pack your diet with nutrient dense foods rich in
antioxidants like Vitamin C and E which can mop-up free radical damage and help heal skin from the
inside. Other antioxidants shown to benefit skin health include beta-carotene and selenium.
Consider including a greens supplement powder packed with fibre, antioxidants and minerals to your
morning smoothie and help your inside keep your outside beautiful. Take the time to speak to a health
care practitioner to see which products might be right for you.
Celebrate your Fifties, Gracefully
As we reach our fifties, it is the time to concentrate on aging gracefully. The fifties can be a challenging
decade, particularly for women who are going through menopause. This is a major shift in the internal
chemistry of female bodies, with a decrease in estrogen, disrupting the normal function of our skin and
leading to a loss of elasticity, a resurgence of acne, extreme dryness and rosacea.
Along with these changes, our aging skin’s ability to produce vitamin D begins to slow down. Vitamin D is
a nutrient essential for everything from strong bones to a strong immune system, and is produced
naturally in our bodies by our skin when it is exposed to the sun. Supplementing with vitamin D is
essential to make up for our skin’s reduced capacity to produce this vital nutrient.
Skin elasticity is a major concern as we age past our fifties. Recent research has shown that argan oil, a
nourishing Moroccan oil, has potent effects for improving skin elasticity in post-menopausal women.
Interestingly, both consumption and topical application of argan oil led to skin elasticity benefits. Argan
oil has also been shown to reduce the appearances of darkly pigmented age spots.
Foods are also a crucial source of skin-healthy nutrients. Although skin cell growth has slowed down by
this point, it’s important to incorporate yellow and orange veggies rich in beta-carotene to support the
growth of new skin cells.
Getting older is inevitable. Enhancing the health and appearance of our skin naturally can be a part of
embracing the passage of time and the impact it has on our outward appearance. Supporting your
body’s changing needs with healthy foods, natural health products and topical skin products can help
you enter each decade with a fresh face.
To find more tips on how you can enhance your health from the inside, out at any age, visit chfa.ca.