‘I'm a Dermatologist, and This Is the One Habit I Want Everyone Over 40 to Stop ASAP’

Your skincare routine has probably changed as you’ve gotten older. Perhaps now you’re diligent about washing your face before bed whereas in your younger years, you couldn’t be bothered to do it. Or maybe you seek out products with ingredients you’ve heard have anti-aging benefits, such as collagen or hyaluronic acid.

While these can be beneficial habits to adopt, there’s one habit dermatologists say is even more important to change if you are 40 or older and want to prioritize healthy skin. Giving it up, they say, can help reduce age spots exponentially. Keep reading to find out what it is.

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How Skin Changes After 40

There are several ways skin changes after 40, which is why your skincare routine must evolve as you get older. Dermatologist Dr. Carina Woodruff, MD, FAAD, explains that one way skin changes after 40 is that both the outer (epidermis) and deeper (dermis) layers of the skin become thinner due to loss of collagen and elastin. This, she says, can lead to increased fragility, easy bruising and wrinkles.

Dr. Ruth McTighe, MD, a general dermatologist at Waccamaw Dermatology, adds to this, saying, “Over time, sun damage combined with the natural aging process contributes to skin changes, including wrinkles, sun spots, more prominent blood vessels, skin thinning, collagen loss and reduced skin elasticity.” She adds that facial volume loss—primarily due to the loss and redistribution of facial fat, along with bone and cartilage resorption—also plays a significant role in the appearance of aging.

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If you’ve noticed your skin becoming dryer as you age, Dr. Woodruff says this isn’t uncommon. She says that as we age, there is decreased oil production, which can lead to dryness. “Hormonal shifts with menopause can further worsen this as estrogen plays an important role in keeping the skin hydrated and plump,” she adds.

The Most Important Skincare Habit to Break After 40

Both doctors say that developing dark spots becomes more common with age too. Technically, these dark spots are called solar lentigines, but they are often referred to as “age spots” because they are more likely to develop after 40. Solar lentigines are caused by exposure to the sun and develop over time.

If you want to avoid them, both doctors say it’s important to break this common skincare habit: not applying sunscreen to your face, neck and chest. “Skipping sunscreen is one of the worst things you can do for your skin. Along the same lines, tanning—especially in a tanning bed—is extremely harmful to your skin,” Dr. McTighe says.

Related: This One Thing Helps 'Drive Moisture Into the Skin Overnight,' a Board-Certified Dermatologist Says

Dr. Woodruff points out that many people forget to apply sunscreen to their neck and chest, but it’s important to do so because these areas are exposed to the sun just like the face is. “Sun exposure to those sites also leads to loss of collagen, elastin and uneven skin tone, which are obvious signs of aging that people forget about because they are often just focused on protecting their face,” she warns.

But the problem of not applying sunscreen to the face, neck and chest regularly is more than just skin deep. Dr. McTighe says it can increase the risk of skin cancer. To her point, the average age someone is diagnosed with skin cancer is 66.

To lower your risk and to avoid experiencing age spots or actinic purpura, both dermatologists say it’s important to apply sunscreen to your entire face, neck and chest in the morning—even if you are planning on spending most of the day inside. Dr. McTighe adds that it’s also important to apply sunscreen to the hands, another part of the body exposed to the sun that people often forget to apply sunscreen on.

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“I recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher,” Dr. McTighe says. She recommends reapplying sunscreen every two hours and using sun-protective clothing and hats when spending time outdoors. “Don’t assume you’re safe from sun damage just because you’re indoors. UVA rays, which contribute to wrinkles and age spots, can penetrate glass, exposing you during your commute or through windows,” she says.

Certainly the earlier you adopt good sunscreen habits, the healthier your skin will be, but it’s never too late to start putting this habit into practice. The more diligent you are with applying sunscreen regularly, the lower your risk of skin cancer will be and the better your skin will look. This is one habit to keep in place all year long and no matter how old you are!

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Sources

• Dr. Ruth McTighe, MD, general dermatologist at Waccamaw Dermatology

• Dr. Carina Woodruff, MD, FAAD, dermatologist at Epiphany Dermatology