Look, we get it: Waking up to a new fine line isn’t how you wanted to start your morning. And an emerging age spot isn’t what you hoped you’d get for your birthday last year. You didn’t sign up for these changes, and with thousands of products that promise to banish wrinkles and take years off your skin, it’s easy to feel like time is the enemy. But that’s simply not always the case.
As it turns out, many dermatologists actually see their patient’s skin improve as they age. For example, as women grow older, they can develop less visible pores, and many become experts at identifying potential problems like suspicious looking moles - a skill that can only come from years in your skin.
See, not so bad, right? Read on for even more little things you can look forward to in your 40s and beyond.
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Your acne may finally vanish.
The hormones that accompany a menstrual cycle can cause breakouts in premenopausal women - which isn’t just annoying, but may also make their skincare regimen more complicated or expensive. However, as women age, their reproductive hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, naturally decline until they no longer experience menstrual periods (the average age for this is 51).
“If a woman experiences acne of a hormonal nature throughout her younger years, it usually calms down and disappears after menopause,” says Dr Francesca J. Fusco.
For other women, less oily skin in their 50s and beyond (more on that later) can also reduce acne breakouts. Ernestine Sclafani, a 55-year-old public relations specialist, found that a new decade meant a fresh start for clear skin.
“I broke out with pimples throughout my life, and it didn’t stop until my late 40s,” she says. “Once I entered my 50s, the breakouts just disappeared. I felt like I had a blank canvas: I didn’t have to use all the tricks in the book - like toothpaste or steaming - to make them go away.”
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Your skin may finally become less oily.
As women age, hormonal changes cause the sebaceous glands to produce less oil. In turn, those who have dealt with shiny skin throughout their lives can look forward to less grease in their 50s and beyond.
“Women who had to wash their face twice a day in their younger years, because they had really oily skin, may find they only have to wash their face once a day after menopause,” says dermatologist Lindsey Bordone. “They may also be able to use a gentler cleanser.”
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Your pores may look smaller.
Care for more good news? Less oil production may mean less visible pores. “If someone has oily, clogged skin, that tends to dilate the pores and can lead to blackheads,” Fusco notes. “With less oil, the pores appear to be smaller.”
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Rosacea symptoms may improve.
Another perk of menopause: Women who have rosacea triggered by hormonal changes may see less irritation.
“Although rosacea isn’t primarily hormonal, in some patients, hormonal changes can be a trigger,” says Dr Estee Williams. “For those people, when they hit a certain age, their rosacea symptoms improve.”
Granted, the hormonal changes that come with entering menopause may at first exacerbate skin conditions including rosacea and acne, once your body adjusts to postmenopausal hormones, symptoms are likely to improve.
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You can become more aware of potential problems.
By the time you’re 40, you know your body pretty darn well- -you’ve had a while to get acquainted with it, after all. This can make you more alert to potential health problems that require early detection.
“Studies show that women over 50 tend to have a good sense of their beauty marks and moles, and therefore are adept at noticing any new spots that may be skin cancer,” Williams says.
The Cancer Council recommends checking your skin head-to-toe every month (when found early, skin cancers are almost always curable). If you notice anything suspicious - such as a mole or beauty mark that has changed colour, texture or size - see a doctor right away.
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You become more comfortable in your own skin.
Despite the different ways women’s skin may change throughout their life, one common theme seems to hold true: The longer you spend in it, the more comfortable you are in it.
“I find that when women hit their mid-50s, they’re more accepting of their skin,” Fusco says. “They might say, ‘Yes, I do have these dark circles under my eyes, but I don’t want to do surgery to fix it.’ You’re just more accepting and kinder to yourself.”
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Your skin health may improve.
Noticing how your skin changes as you age may prompt you to take better care of it, which in turn can give you healthier skin.
“As you get older, you also make your skin health more of a priority,” Sclafani says. “I take better care of my skin now then I did when I was younger, and I notice more of a glow. That’s something I didn’t have before.”
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