What age to start beauty regime?

frannyann

My dd is also 11 but is clearly hitting puberty and getting a bit 'spotty'. So I have started her using clearasel light cleanser each morning and she doesn't wear any make up. Hopefully she will get into a routine and yes, I am introducing a light sun screen too, we are all too 'moley' to risk it

Penelope_Penguin

looby-loo wrote: »

Not started yet, just water all my life - i'm 50 something and no wrinkles either:j

Me too :T I've never understood the need to remove natural grease from your face by cleansing, then putting back grease by moisturising

I'm now 45, have a good skin, and am often mistaken for someone 5-10 years younger

beautyscientist

Speaking as a cosmetic scientist, there isn't much you can do to improve young skin. If there was we would do it. Skin looks good when it is well moisturised and not damaged.

The best thing you can do is stay out of the sun. Using a sunscreen will help keep the skin looking as young as possible, but personally I wouldn't go for a high SPF and I would suggest using physical sunscreens like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide rather than chemical ones. SPF15 is a very strong sunscreen and it takes a lot to achieve that level of protection, and in my opinion this makes the formulations more likely to irritate sensitive skin.

I don't think it pays to be too paranoid. Light damages skin but the skin does have defenses and repair mechanisms that work pretty well when you are young so long as you don't overdo the sun bathing.

Other than that there is no need to start any regime now.

nearlyrich

I am late 40's too , never been a big wearer of make up and my skin is in good condition and I don't have wrinkles etc. I have bought various cleanser/toner etc ranges but I can never keep it up...too busy.

I just met a cousin who called me by by my younger sister's name ( she is 10 years younger) so I am not too worried,

lessonlearned

Hi Sue

Genetics also play a big part in how our skin ages.

I am very blessed - my mother who is in her eighties has the skin of a 50 year old, her mother before her was the same. Their big secret was to take great care in the sun. Granny was a market gardener and my mum was a keen amateur gardener. They always wore sun screen and hats. Neither of them smoked - a big no no if you want good skin after the age of 40. Smoking probably causes just as much skin damage as the sun. Sun beds don't help either. If you can teach your daughter to avoid the big three, sun, smoking and tanning beds, then she will have a great start.

My mother also swore by using a light moisturiser, every day. It does't need to be expesnive. When she was poor she used nivea or even a bit of olive oil.

As a trained beauty therapist I would go along with her advice. All children should wear sunscreen - boys and girls - (and hats and t shirts when the sun is really fierce at midday).

All skin should avoid harsh products (especially highly perfumed soaps) but even more so for young skin like your daughters. I would suggest good quality baby products would be perfect for her age. (I still use baby products and I'm 58). Also a good diet and exercise. Exercise is great for the skin because it helps stimulate blood flow to the surface of the skin, nourishing it and flushing out impurities.

Unfortunately, even the best diet can't always stave off teenage spots. They are inevitably the result of hormone imbalances. A good cleansing routine will help but again nothing harsh or abrasive: it will only make matters worse, stripping the skin of natural oils and only encouraging the production of even more oil (sebum to be technical).

Acne is of course another matter and usually needs medical help. These days GP's tend to be very sympathetic and can offer a great deal of help and advice.

Personally, I think 11 is too young for make-up. When she does start wearing it, try to teach her that less is more, a little lip gloss and the lightest touch of eye- up is plenty. There should be no need for foundations and blushers. Young healthy skin has a lovely dewy glow all of its own and doesn't really need a lot of cosmetics to enhance it.