Even if you don’t usually treat yourself to a spa facial, you should still try to get regular treatments – if you can afford it, with follow-up care at home. Why? So you can enjoy some great and long-term benefits, like warding off wrinkles and keeping the skin hydrated.
Why?
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Besides removing blackheads and exfoliating dry, flaky skin, facials help fade dark spots from long-term damage and bad habits. Almost 90% of premature aging is attributed to sun damage and smoking…even for Black skin!
But there’s one other thing…skin needs change as we get older, so it’s important to get the best facial for your age. A glycolic peel that’s perfect for a 40-year-old could irritate a 20-something.
20s: Establish Great Skin Habits
At this age, you’re probably not worrying about your skin or beauty routine. You’re too busy working, hanging out with friends…and probably not eating as healthy as you should.
Perfect Facial: Deep-cleansing facials with masks of clay or kaolin (also known as china or white clay) draw out impurities – including dirt and excess oils – from skin. Fine clay particles also exfoliate, unclog pores and stimulate circulation, which nourishes cells with nutrients.
If your skin is dry or sensitive, a mask with botanical extracts of chamomile or aloe will soothe it.
Don’t Forget: Good skin care should be as mindless as brushing your teeth.
30s: Manage Hormonal Skin
Hormones rule in this decade. And that can mean breakouts – from your period, pregnancy or stress. All can push oil glands into overdrive. In fact, adult acne affects 1 in 5 women between 25 and 40 years old.
Perfect Facial: Acne-prone NEEDS to be treated well. And if you’re prone to breakouts, facials can help prevent them. An esthetician can do extractions to remove sebum (oily, fatty secretions associated with acne) from clogged pores. Caution: Do NOT try this on your own; it can cause scarring if done incorrectly, and the last thing Black skin needs is scarring.
Look for facials described as “clarifying” or “purifying.” They have active ingredients made from exfoliating fruit acids like papaya, cranberry, pumpkin, cherries and berries. These can help clear up congested skin and remove excess oil and dry, flaky skin.
Don’t Forget: Avoid petroleum-based products and compounds with synthetic fragrances, says Evans. These can clog pores and irritate skin.
40s: Replenish & Erase
In our 20s, skin cells replenish every 28 days. But by the 40s, the effects of sun damage and environmental stress slows the process to 45-50 days, a delay that causes cells to build up, leaving skin dull and exaggerating fine lines and wrinkles.
Perfect Facial: A peel, either glycolic, beta-hydroxy or enzyme, will remove the top layers of dead cells.
If skin is sensitive, skip the peel and get a facial that includes antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory ingredients like pomegranate, grapeseed or rose-hip extract, green tea or vitamin C, Jaliman advises.
Facials with skin-lightening ingredients like licorice extract (glycyrrhizinate), soy proteins or Indian gooseberry can reduce hyperpigmentation. And hydrating masks will help soften lines and wrinkles.
Don’t Forget: Exfoliate at least three times per week to get a glow back. If you have sensitive, aim for twice a week and keep note of how your skin looks and feels. Not only does this slough off dead cells,moisturizers also penetrate better.
50s: Think Elastic
Because of estrogen loss in menopause, middle-age skin produces less collagen, which can leave it thinner and drier, with a lot less elasticity than in your youth.
Perfect Facial: Look for a “hydrating” or “firming” facial, with masks and botanical oils that deeply moisturize. Treatments with sea plants – like seaweed and algae – are rich in vitamins and trace minerals that firm and hydrate skin.
Don’t Forget: Look for intensive moisturizing ingredients and nourishing oils (evening primrose, sea buckthorn, carrot seed, borage and geranium) to plump up and deliver antioxidant vitamins A and C. These kick-start the skin-renewal process and collagen and elastin production.
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