The different phases of women's skin

The skin, like the rest of the organs in the human body, undergoes changes throughout our lives. Right from childhood, it is important to learn the correct habits to care for our skin. In the case of children, for example, the skin is more immature and very sensitive to solar radiation, so it is very important to limit sun exposure in the first 3 years of life, protecting them with clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreens suitable for their age. It is important to instil in them from a young age the importance of photoprotection so that they acquire healthy habits for life. It should be noted that solar damage caused by ultraviolet radiation in childhood and adolescence leads to a higher risk of skin cancer in adulthood. Sunburns in childhood and adolescence will multiply the risk of developing melanoma in the future by 20.

Puberty

From puberty, the skin begins to undergo changes due to the influence of hormones. In an adolescent's skin there is an increase in the activity of the sebaceous glands, which is why facial skin is oilier, as is the scalp. Sometimes this excess oil leads to the appearance of acne, which can become severe and require correct dermatological treatment, both topical and oral, to minimise the risk of acne scars.

Other glands that activate just before puberty are the apocrine sweat glands, which are located in the armpits and other areas of the body.

Currently, the phenomenon of ’skin care’ has become fashionable at this age, in other words, starting a facial skincare routine. From a dermatological point of view, it is a good thing that girls of this age are interested in taking care of their skin, but they should not make the mistake of having complex skincare routines and using multiple products that could worsen their skin at that age.

My recommendation for this stage is to acquire the habit of daily facial hygiene, washing the face with a suitable product that helps avoid excess oil, and using appropriate oil-free moisturising products, as well as products that treat acne if it appears.

During their twenties, women are full of energy and capacity and enjoy a good general health. The body adapts itself to our lifestyle, and physically we perform better than ever. Genetics is a fundamental factor that determines endogenous ageing, however, everything takes its toll. If at 20 years old we abuse sun exposure, tobacco, and alcohol, eat poorly and sleep little... the skin will age much earlier. The skin in this decade is no longer as oily, and the use of serums or creams containing, for example, hyaluronic acid or alpha hydroxy acids, is very helpful.

30s and 40s: the first signs of ageing

From the age of 30, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which will significantly determine the state of our skin. Many women begin to notice the first signs of collagen loss and the appearance of their first expression lines. Antioxidants such as vitamin C or niacinamide help prevent ageing, and at night the introduction of transformative products such as alpha hydroxy acids or retinoids helps improve skin texture. We should not forget that applying an appropriate sunscreen daily is very important to prevent the appearance of skin spots, as well as damage caused by the sun.

In our forties, it is common to notice expression lines and fine wrinkles that appear due to the volume changes our face undergoes. Skin spots also tend to appear. A daily routine with daytime antioxidants and sunscreen, and products with retinol, peptides, and growth factors at night is very important and will help us maintain more even and luminous skin.

Menopause: new changes in the skin

From the age of 50, most women enter the menopause stage. The drop in oestrogen that occurs at this time in a woman's life leads to skin thinning and dehydration, which causes wrinkles to intensify and sagging to occur. At this age, a healthy lifestyle is very important, maintaining the skincare routines acquired in the previous decade, and sometimes supplementing with products such as collagen, which, combined with a healthy diet and regular physical activity, help to keep our skin and joints healthier.