10 Summer Skincare Tips for Women Over 40

Look Younger this summer

10 steps to take this summer to keep your skin looking younger and more hydrated.

As the temperatures get warmer and we head out for more outdoor activities, it's important to take care of your skin. It will age much faster in the summer months because of exposure to UV rays, sweat from exercise, and frequent wiping with a towel. Here are 10 tips that can help you keep your skin looking healthy this summer!

#1 Stay Hydrated

We’re not new to this, we have all heard it a million times that our bodies require at least half our weight in ounces per day of water. This is nothing new, but in the summer months, and if you are exercising regularly, then you may require even more than that for proper hydration. Being hydrated also directly affects our skin, and if you are lacking in hydration, your skin will definitely let you know about it. Whenever I am not getting enough water, my skin on my body and face seems super dry and the best makeup in the world doesn’t help. So be sure to stay properly hydrated.

I love to add fruit to my water to give it some flavor and encourage me to drink more of it. Some days however, I find myself falling behind in the water department, and when this happens, I will typically use a Hydration Multiplier called Liquid IV. If you haven’t tried this you should, because one pouch turns one glass of water into the equivelant of 3 glasses of water. If gettting in your water is tough you might like this stuff.

Dress up your water

If drinking water is hard for you, dress it up by adding fruit to your glass. The benefits of fruit go beyond the taste, they also have detoxifying properties.

#2 Cleanse Your Skin

Back when we were in our 20’s, if we can remember that far lol, we didn’t have to be so diligent about cleansing our skin if we didn’t want to. We could take a face wipe to the face and call it good. Unfortunately, in our forties and beyond, it’s not that simple. If your not cleansing your skin with a good quality anti aging skin care both morning and night, chances are you are blaming your skin’s appearance on your makeup. Some of this is true, but your makeup will go on so much better if you are cleansing your skin properly. This step amongst others is a must. If your cleanser seems a bit heavy for summer, you can adjust it for a lighter swap, just make sure you are using one that focuses on Anti Aging. I really like this ExfoliKate Cleanser Daily Foaming Wash ($40.00).

ExfoliKate Daily Foaming Wash

It’s a clinic inspired foaming cleanser with AHA’s and fruit enzymes to gently cleanse away oil, makeup and impurities to reveal smoother skin.

#3 Vitamin C Serum

Using a Vitamin C Serum has so many great benefits, not only in the summer but all year long. It packs a punch by helping to fight fine lines and wrinkles, boosts collagen production, and prevents hyperpigmentation or melasma. Many ask what causes hyperpigmentation and here are a few of the known causes: Sun Exposure, Hormones, Injury or Inflammation, and Aging. Most of which we can all raise our hands and say we are dealing with at this moment. Can it be reversed? The answer is yes, once the cause of the hyperpigmentation is taken care of. So talk with your dermatologist in depth, in the meantime, using a Vitamin C Serum at home between cleansing and moisturizing is sure to help.

CEO Vitamin C Brightening Serum

Minimizes pores, brightens dark spots and targets signs of aging. Addresses fine lines and wrinkles and dullness of the skin.

#4 Don’t Skip Moisturizer

When the summer heat is at it’s high, we can sometimes feel like we can skip moisturizer because of humidity making our skin more oily. This is not the case though. You will still want to use a moisturizer morning and night. If you prefer, you can swap for a lighter option, but nonetheless you shouldn’t skip it altogether. When choosing a moisturizer, I prefer one with an SPF built in so I don’t have to apply two creams, but if your moisturizer doesn’t have SPF be sure to apply a separate one.

Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30

The ultimate 3-in-1 anti wrinkle moisturizer that improves hydration and firmness while protecting the skin from sun exposure.

#5 Exfoliate

Exfoliation is key for removing all of the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. If you are exfoliating regularly you will likely want to increase the amount of times you reapply SPF. To exfoliate you can use a resurfacing enzyme. The skin sheds dead skin cells every 30 days or so. Sometimes, not all of the dead skin cells are shed. Exfoliating helps to remove all of the dead skin cells from the surface.

yerba Mate Resurfacing Facial

An instant microdermabrasion enzyme treatment, to remove the dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. .

#6 Don’t Forget The SPF

This is a big one. Oftentimes we forget this step, which is why I prefer to have my SPF included in my moisturizer. This way I never forget to use it. In the summer months, you may even have to reapply throughout the day depending on how much time you are exposed to the sun in a day. The reason SPF is so important isn’t just for protecting against skin cancer. That is a huge bonus, but also to combat the effects of the sun, such as aging skin and hyperpigmentation or melasma. So lather it on, keep a travel size in your purse and load up throughout the day. Always shoot for SPF 30 or higher to be sure you are getting the needed protection.

Supergoop unseen sunscreen

Broad Spectrum Sunscreen with SPF 40

#8 Stay In The Shade & Wear Hats

The sun is definitely stronger in the summer months so whenever your re outside stay in the shade if possible. The extra protection from the harmful rays will save your summer skin. Also, if you take your fitness outdoors in the summer, be sure to wear a hat to protect and cover your face. Even if you are exercising outdoors in the morning, the day after day exposure can do damage to your skin, especially on your face causing melasma or hyperpigmentation. Pop on a hat to prevent this from happening.

Lululemon Commission Hat

Any hat will do, but I own and love this baseball style cap from Lululemon.

#9 Use A Retinol Serum

This step has literally been a game changer for me. I started using a retinol serum about 4 years ago and it has completely changed my skin. People always ask how my skin looks so young. Part of it is genetics, but part of it is the skincare system I follow, and using a Retinol is one of the best items I have ever added to my regimen. Keep in mind if you do you a retinol, you should be cautious about being in direct sun for the next 24 hours just to be safe. Retinol goes deep beneath the epidermis of the skin to your dermis. Once there, it helps to neutralize free radicals to boost the production of elastin and collagen. This plumps the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and enlarged pores. There are different levels of potency so be sure to ask your dermatologist or Facialist which would be best for you.

Skin Medica Retinol Complex

Enhances skin tone, texture and resiliency. Diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

#10 Get Regular Facials

This step is also very important for caring for your skin over 40. Getting regular facials will provide you with really good results when it comes to fighting the effects of aging skin. I have to say though, not just any facial will do anymore. In the past, we could go and get a simple facial but as we age and our skin ages, it takes more than that. About 4 years ago, I started doing a facial called the HydraFacial. I also added in Microdermabrasion on some visits. This is the furthest I have gone so far but there are so many other intensive facial treatments that you can get done at a med spa that works wonders on skin that is aging. Start small and build from there. Below is a video sharing what the HydraFacial is and how its done.

This list of 10 is a great place to start to care for your skin over 40, especially during the summer months. One more thing before we close, I grabbed this Skin Health Pyramid from the HydraFacial website where they compiled a list from nearly 1,000 skin experts regarding skin health and this pyramid was created to help you stay on track with your skin care progress. What has been your biggest success with your skincare regimen? Share with us in the comments below.