Tips for preventing skin aging.

Happy birthday, dear skin. Is your skin approaching 40, 50, or perhaps 60? Or is it already that age? Give it a gift that will best support it in its new stage of life. Anthroposophical dermatologist Dr. Brigitte Roesler shares her experience and observations on the skin aging process and offers advice on how to slow it down.

As a dermatologist, you see skin in all phases of life. You know exactly what skin aging means. How does it change after 40, 50, or 60?

"Skin begins to age even earlier in life, but it's not until after menopause that changes really start to become noticeable. Hormonal changes—which can occur at different times for different women—are a more decisive factor than age. And while men's skin ages a little slower, at some point they too begin to reach for creams to slow down the process. The first sign of mature skin is always a loss of moisture, accompanied by the appearance of wrinkles. I find it interesting that our skin looks more tired in the evening after a whole day's work than in the morning. At 30, it is still able to recover well overnight. At 40, this recovery process becomes a little more difficult. After 50, the aging process becomes more noticeable: cell renewal slows down, hormone levels drop drastically, subcutaneous fat tissue decreases, and fluid begins to accumulate in the body, which changes the contours of the upper arms, chin, and corners of the mouth. After 60, the skin becomes increasingly dry, thin, and transparent, which is why blood vessels may start to become visible. It also develops more areas of pigmentation—on the face and anywhere else it has been exposed to the sun. The most important external factor for skin aging is sun exposure. The combination of good skin care, a healthy diet, good sleep, and sun protection helps keep our skin vital and prevents skin aging at a younger age."

So our skin reflects our lives?

"Exactly. It reveals a lot about our diet, sleep habits, mental state, internal health, and vacation preferences. The skin is like a monitor that displays a lot of information if you know how to read it. Thanks to years of additional training in anthroposophical medicine, I now have a comprehensive view of the skin and the person behind it."

What can we do to care for our skin? How can we support it to prevent or slow down its aging?

"Everything that is good for you overall is also good for your skin. This means that exercise and a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables are very important. Of course, you can also practice good skin care. But 'good' doesn't necessarily mean 'many products.' It is very important to cleanse your face well in the evening. When washing your face and body, it is important to preserve the skin's natural flora and not strip it of fats and moisture. The same applies to all skin care products I use: they should provide our skin with a good balance of fats and moisture."

Does our skin have other age-specific desires that we can give it for its 40th, 50th, or 60th birthday?

"At 40, skin primarily needs moisturizing care, as well as care that supports its ability to retain moisture. After 50, it appreciates practices that counteract the increasing weakening of connective tissue—such as body oil rubs and dry brushing massages. And after 60, our skin enjoys products with a high oil content that help preserve its natural lipid barrier. It's not that hard to make your skin happy and appropriately combat skin aging at any age."

Dr. Roesler's Tips for Slowing Down Skin Aging

Tip 1: Avoid the sun.

Protect your skin from strong sun exposure by seeking shade and spending the hottest parts of summer days indoors. When going out in the sun, apply plenty of sunscreen, wear a hat, and choose long, loose clothing.

Tip 2: Relax.

This could be visiting an exhibition, practicing yoga, walking in the forest, or gardening. Because when you radiate joy, it shows on your skin.

Tip 3: Strengthen your internal organs.

Our kidneys are responsible for regulating fluid levels in the body—a major concern for mature skin. Keep them well-cleansed by drinking plenty of water and herbal teas (e.g., horsetail and birch leaves) throughout the day—especially in the afternoon. Another organ closely related to our skin is the liver. Strengthen this vital organ with medicinal bitter drinks or bitter-tasting foods like chicory, by practicing spring fasting, or by having one fasting day a month.

Tip 4: Get enough sleep.

Since skin regenerates overnight, good sleep is extremely important. Try to sleep at least seven hours—and go to bed by 11 PM. Your skin's metabolism is most active at night, so this is the most important time for repair and regeneration.

Tip 5: Reduce puffiness.

You can reduce puffiness in your skin with facial massages, acupuncture, or lymphatic stimulation.

Tip 6: Get a skin cancer check.

After age 50, the risk of developing skin cancer increases. If you're not already getting regular check-ups, you should start getting a full body check every two years by age 50 at the latest. Because skin aging is one thing, and your health is quite another!