Firstly, hormonal changes inevitably occur (and sebum production decreases, slowing down skin renewal). Secondly, cold, wind, and dry indoor air successfully intensify all these processes. In other words, often accelerated aging is associated not so much with age as such, but with care mistakes made with the best intentions. So what to pay attention to first of all.
Overly aggressive cleaning
In winter, the skin loses moisture faster, and harsh gels, foams with sulfates and frequent washing only worsen the situation. After 45 years, the protective barrier is restored more slowly, and aggressive cleansing literally leaves the skin without protection. As a result, tightness, dullness, deepening wrinkles and increased sensitivity appear. In winter, cleansing should be soft, delicate and gentle.
It is worth highlighting the habit of warming up with a hot shower. Hot water dissolves lipids much more aggressively than any sulfate gel. For mature skin, this is an instant destruction of the barrier, which will take a long time to restore.
Passion for acids and assets regardless of the season
Acids, retinol and active serums certainly give the desired effect, but in winter the skin often cannot withstand such a load. With age, the risk of micro-inflammation and hidden irritation is higher, even if the skin looks calm from the outside. As a result, renewal slows down, not accelerates. In winter, actives require a decrease in the frequency of application, concentration and mandatory support with moisturizing and regenerating products.
Instead of completely abandoning exfoliation (after all, dead skin cells need to be removed for the cream to work), it's worth switching to enzyme powders or masks. They dissolve the dead skin layer without damaging the barrier, unlike acids or scrubs.
Lack of lipids in care
Many people continue to rely only on hydration, forgetting about fats. However, water without lipids evaporates quickly in the cold season. Mature skin needs creams and serums with oils, ceramides, squalane, which help retain moisture and maintain skin density. Without this, it loses elasticity and tone more quickly.
Hyaluronic acid trap in dry air
A popular mistake is using serums with hyaluronic acid without “closing” it with a cream or in rooms with very dry air. Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture. If the air is dry (humidity below 40%, which is the norm when central heating is on), it begins to pull water from the deep layers of your skin to the surface, where it evaporates.
So, remember the rule: moisturizer only under occlusive (oily) cream.
“Temperature shock” and vascular protection
A sharp temperature drop is the main enemy of blood vessels after 45 years. When you enter a warm room from the cold, the capillaries expand sharply, and when you go outside, they spasm. With age, the walls of blood vessels lose elasticity, which leads to persistent redness (couperosis) and impaired microcirculation. For such a problem, products with centella, niacinamide or vitamin K will be effective.
Ignoring sun protection in winter
There is a common myth that SPF is only needed in the summer. In fact, ultraviolet rays continue to destroy collagen in the winter, especially if there is snow and bright sun. After 45 years, photoaging becomes more noticeable, and recovery is slower. Refusing daytime protection accelerates the appearance of wrinkles and pigmentation.
Bedroom climate and humidifiers
No cream will do the trick if you sleep for 8 hours in a room with “scorched” air from batteries. Nighttime skin regeneration after 45 years of age critically depends on the humidity level. Investing in a humidifier often gives a better anti-aging effect than buying an expensive serum.
The habit of using the same cosmetics by inertia
One of the least noticeable but most destructive mistakes is to continue using products that were suitable for the skin many years ago. Skin changes after 45: sebum production decreases, the lipid barrier becomes thinner, and blood vessels and sensitivity react differently. Creams and cleansers for oily or problem skin that were relevant 20 years ago begin to overdry in winter, deepen wrinkles and provoke a dull appearance. Care chosen according to habit, and not according to the current condition of the skin, accelerates age-related changes much more than the absence of active ingredients.
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