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  3. 8 Steps to Healthy Skin at Every Age

8 Steps to Healthy Skin at Every Age

By Susannah Felts
October 29, 2013
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Dryness? Acne? Wrinkles? Easy solutions that'll keep your skin in great shape year after year.
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Great skin year after year

Getting clear skin doesn't have to be an ordeal—it's all about finding a skincare regimen that works for you. Watch the video to see the six must-do steps you should take to keep skin fresh, soft, and blackhead-free.

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Your 30s: Beat acne bumps

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Hormone-related skin problems aren’t just for teens. Surging progesterone and testosterone levels before your period can cause adult acne to erupt around the mouth, chin, and nose. And hormonal stress can exacerbate eczema—dry, irritated skin, often on the face and hands.

To treat adult acne, which tends to flare up in the 30s and is more inflammatory than teen blackheads and whiteheads, derms often prescribe benzoyl peroxide and retinol or Retin-A, says Gary Goldenberg, MD, an assistant professor of dermatology at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City. Soothe eczema by using gentle, fragrance-free cleansers; if the problem persists, you may need a prescription for a topical corticosteroid.

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Your 30s: Baby your skin

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Ready to start a family? Your skin may be clearer than ever while you’re pregnant, thanks to abundant estrogen. But the hormonal flux of pregnancy can create a host of skin issues, such as melasma (dark discolored splotches on the face), which should fade after delivery.

If it bothers you, your doc may prescribe a cream with lightening agents to fade the spots. Also common: an itchy rash called PUPPP (pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy), which may show up in the third trimester. If cool baths and moisturizers don’t relive itching, you may need a steroid cream or oral antihistamine.

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Your 40s: Check yourself

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In middle age, damage done to your skin decades earlier starts to show up. This can include the first signs of skin cancer.

The good news: when caught early, it’s 99 percent treatable. So monthly self-checks for moles or anything suspect are smart. “In front of a mirror, examine your entire body, from your scalp (use a handheld mirror) to the soles of your feet,” advises Jennifer Linder, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco.

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Your 40s: Pick the right products

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Consider a prescription for a retinoid like tretinoin to minimize signs of aging such as uneven skin tone, wrinkles, and age spots, says Bobby Buka, MD, a New York City dermatologist. Dr. Buka also suggests skin-care products with botanicals such as feverfew or licorice root: “They have antioxidant activity to combat UV damage."

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Your 40s: Erase redness

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If you’re plagued by redness, spider-like blood vessels, and small bumps on your face, your derm may diagnose rosacea, a common skin condition often triggered by sun exposure, stress, alcohol, spicy foods, and hot weather. It’s more likely to develop with age, says Laura E. Skellchock, MD, a dermatologist in Boca Raton, Florida.

Experts recommend sensitive-skin products if you’re prone to flare-ups, green-tinted makeup to camouflage redness, and over-the-counter antiredness serums with caffeine, such as

First Aid Beauty Anti-Redness Serum ($34; Sephora.com).

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Your 40s: Banish problem spots

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It’s not uncommon for 40-something women to develop actinic keratosis—dry, red, flaky spots, often on the forehead, cheeks, or nose, Dr. Goldenberg says. Another result of sun damage, they can become cancerous if not removed, so see your doc ASAP if you think you may have one.

Two other common (and often similar-looking) problem spots: seborrheic keratosis (warty, yellow-brown growths, usually on the back and chest) and skin tags (often on the eyelids, underarms, neck, or groin). These two may look unpleasant, but they’re benign and can also be removed in the doctor’s office.

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Your 50s+: Quench the thirst

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As your estrogen level drops and oil production decreases, skin can get thinner, drier, and often itchier. Bathing too often, with water that’s too hot, or with harsh or excess soap, can make things worse. Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), which becomes more common over age 50, can also cause overly dry, itchy skin, so see your doc to rule it out if you have other common symptoms such as fatigue, depression, unexplained weight gain, or muscle aches.

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Your 50s+: Love your legs

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Roughly half of all women over 50 have a few varicose or spider veins (enlarged blood vessels visible on the skin), usually on the legs. Gravity, aging, and genetics all play a role, but women who are on their feet a lot are at greater risk. Fixes include sclerotherapy (sealing off the veins) and laser treatments.

Varicose or spider veins very rarely indicate a circulatory problem, but if one becomes swollen, warm, red, or tender, or if a rash or sore develops near it, see a doctor to rule out a dangerous blood clot. To help keep spider and varicose veins at bay, avoid sitting with legs crossed for long periods of time, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight.

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1 of 9 Great skin year after year
2 of 9 Your 30s: Beat acne bumps
3 of 9 Your 30s: Baby your skin
4 of 9 Your 40s: Check yourself
5 of 9 Your 40s: Pick the right products
6 of 9 Your 40s: Erase redness
7 of 9 Your 40s: Banish problem spots
8 of 9 Your 50s+: Quench the thirst
9 of 9 Your 50s+: Love your legs

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8 Steps to Healthy Skin at Every Age
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