Many women over 50 feel like they have to spend an absolute fortune to stay looking young and/or ‘keep up’ with the younger generation. However, there are so many cheaper alternatives these days that there’s no reason at all for you to spend all of your disposable income on beauty and skincare products.
The goalposts are always changing for women as it is. We’re deemed not enough of one thing and too much of another – it’s exhausting! This is why you should only ever live to please yourself, and only spend the amount you are comfortable with on products that you actually want to use. There’s no unwritten rule that says you have to have any kind of beauty regime just because you’re a woman, so don’t let the media or the warped views of others tell you otherwise.
Now we’ve got that out of the way, below we’ll go through what midlife women who are interested in beauty on a budget should know. Take a look and you might learn something that you can really use!
5 Habits For Beautiful Looking Skin Over 50
A Simple Sunscreen Goes A Long Way
First of all, one of the most powerful things you can add to your beauty regime is a simple sunscreen. Wearing SPF 30 or above every single day, whether rain or shine, can slow down ageing and protect your skin from harm. Many people make the mistake of believing that the sun will only damage their skin when it’s hot or bright out, but this isn’t the case.
Buying a separate sunscreen that you can spray on over your makeup or after your moisturizer will make a huge difference, so get into the habit ASAP. Many studies seem to confirm that the thing that ages skin the fastest is sun exposure, and this is entirely preventable. Don’t forget, the sun can still affect your skin when you’re in the house or the car. Apply it without fail! And if you want to have that sun-kissed look without damaging or aging your skin, try self-tanners.
Go To Bed With Retinol Every Night
Retinol is one of the only proven skincare ingredients that can reduce fine lines and slow down ageing. It’s truly a miracle product, so see if you can find a retinol serum that is suitable for your skin. Many skincare companies have hopped right onto the retinol hype, and you will find it in many products, from toners to moisturizers. However, serum seems to be the most effective way to apply it, and you should only do this at night time. Bear in mind that you may need to get your skin used to this first, so follow the instructions and take your time. Again, if you’re using products like retinol in your routine it’s even more important to apply SPF the next day!
What You Put Into Your Body Is Often More Effective Than What You Put On it
Don’t focus so much on what you put on your body, focus on what you put into it. You don’t need a ‘perfect’ diet, but the things you eat and drink can make a big difference to your overall health and the way you look. For example, eating junk food could give you congested skin if you do it too often, while smoking will certainly age you beyond your years. Living a balanced lifestyle and making healthy choices will be one of the best things you do, and you won’t need to spend a small fortune on beauty products when you decide you want to do some ‘damage control’.
Sleep is an Underrated Beauty Tool
Sleep is such an underrated beauty tool – and it’s free (providing you don’t do it while you’re supposed to be working!). Making sure you get 7-8 hours a night, or even 9 depending on how active you are and what makes you feel the most refreshed, will always make a difference to your mindset and how you look.
Everybody is different, so you will need to pay attention to the amount of sleep that helps you to feel your best. Just because you can live off 6 hours of sleep or less, doesn’t mean you should. In fact, many studies suggest that 6 hours of sleep or less is akin to having none at all. Getting your body into a good routine by going to bed at the same time each night and getting up at the same time each morning can make a huge difference.
Consistency Is Key For The Best Results
When you decide to do anything, whether it’s keeping up your skincare routine, brushing your teeth, drinking water or eating vegetables, it’s consistency that will make the biggest difference. You might not notice a difference in a week, or even a month, but eventually, the changes will become evident. If you were to spend money on clear braces to straighten your teeth but didn’t follow your dentist’s instructions, you wouldn’t get the results you wanted.
It’s so important to build good, healthy habits when you want to keep the amount you spend to a minimum! I find many women never give any routine or product enough time to work before they jump to something new. Everyone is different and it may take you a little longer to see the results you wish to see. So stop being in a hurry and just be consistent.
Of course genes play a huge role in how you and your skin age. But you can slow down the process by merely taking care of yourself and your body properly. And that costs nothing at all.