Glowing Older, Part II
Last time, we talked about the seven habits that are crucial for maturing skin. Now we’re going to get into the fun stuff: skincare in your sixties and seventies. Why is it fun? Because a good nighttime skincare routine is a relaxing, pampering way to end your day. And we’re going to start at the end.
While it’s true that no matter what you do your skin is not going to look like it’s 20 – well, that’s just fine. It doesn’t have to. The goal is for your skin to look and feel healthy, smooth and radiant. And that can be achieved at any age.
One caveat before we start: If your skin develops any kind of redness or irritation, discontinue use of the product that’s causing it. Try to introduce only one new product at a time; that way, if your skin disagrees with it, you won’t have to start a whole process of elimination to figure out which item is causing the problem.
Nighttime Skincare
Even if you don’t wear makeup (but especially if you do), by the end of the day your skin has gone through a lot. Dust, dirt, pollution and the oils on your fingers every time you touched your face are all just sitting there, and your face is waiting to be cleansed and treated. So your nighttime skincare is going to a bit more labor-intensive than your morning routine. But it will be worth it. Here goes:
- Makeup remover/Oil cleanser or balm
- Cream or foaming cleanser
- Toner (yes, this is important)
- Serum (optional)
- Moisturizer (not optional)
- Eye cream (try not to skip it)
- Mask (optional but lots of fun)
You might be wondering if the first two steps – the “double cleanse” – might not be overkill for skincare routine in your sixties and seventies. Good question. The short answer is no, it’s not. The first step removes makeup, sunscreen and anything else that might be hanging around on your skin. The second one deep cleans.
The longer answer is still that it’s not, but choose your products carefully. You want to look for balms and cleansers that will remove the impurities without stripping your skin of moisture, so choose products that are formulated for sensitive skin.
Toner is the next step, and it’s crucial. Toners will pick up any residue you might have left. They exfoliate, smooth, hydrate and balance our your skins pH levels. According to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research at New York’s Mt. Sinai Hospital, these toners aren’t the harsh, astringent products they once used to be. So don’t be afraid to use them.
The next step, serum, isn’t a must, but it can be a big help – especially if you suffer from extra-dry skin. Serums are very potent and they usually target specific skin concerns. If you’re concerned about price, don’t worry; serums are no longer the exclusive province of high-end companies. Keep in mind that a very small amount covers the entire face, so even if the serum you find is pricey, it will most likely last you a long while.
This might sound like an excessive number of products, but for nighttime skincare try to use a moisturizer with a richer, more dense formulation. Why? Because a heavier moisturizer is generally more, well, moisturizing. Try to find one that’s fragrance-free, especially if you have very sensitive skin.
After you moisturize, apply your eye cream. The skin on your eyelids and under your eyes is thinner, more delicate and tends to dry out faster than the rest of your face, which is why eye creams are so important even if your crow’s feet are here to stay.
If by this point you feel like you’ve had enough, great. You’re done! But if this nighttime skincare thing is something you enjoy, finish it off with a hydrating overnight mask. What kind? Your call. If you’ve never masked before, experiment with different kinds to see what you like. There are gel masks, cream masks and sheet masks at all different price points.
Sweet dreams…
Do you have a nighttime skincare routine or specific product you love? Please let us know in the comments below?