Kelle Walsh

Hats, scarves, long sleeves, seeking out shade, avoiding sun when the UV rays are strongest are equally important.

But those two products, I mean, moisturizer and sunscreen, they're supporting skin's primary function, which is to serve as a barrier that protects us from the outside world.

And dry skin, which is more common as we age, threatens that barrier.

So does UV radiation.

So there are a few ingredients that do support with some of the sides of aging.

Antioxidants, which can help protect against free radical damage while also helping to brighten skin.

Those can be in the form of a vitamin C serum, for example.

Exfoliants, and there are a bunch of different kinds and different strengths.

And those will help support skin cell turnover.

And that's a natural process that slows down as we age.

And possibly retinoids, which in over-the-counter form are called either retinol or retinol.

They're less powerful than the prescription Retin-A, but they still support skin rejuvenation.

It is worth noting that retinoids are pretty harsh, and many people can't use them, and they can also increase sun sensitivity.

Yeah, absolutely.

Adult acne is really common, especially among women during those perimenopausal to menopausal years.

And it's confusing, right?

Amy Wexler, a dermatologist who launched spotless acne clinics in Manhattan last year, said this.

So for milder adult acne, I'm told that over-the-counter products with things like benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or azelaic acid may help.

But for persistent or that hormonally driven acne, you might want to see a dermatologist and they may prescribe topical retinoids or other topicals that actually can influence oil production in the skin.

And for some women, they may recommend oral hormonal treatments.