Bad Skin Day Fixes: Rescue Your Complexion Now! How To Have Less Bad Skin Days

We've all heard of bad hair days, but let's be real: after 50, bad skin days are absolutely a "thing" too. You know the feeling – you wake up, look in the mirror, and your skin just isn't cooperating. It can feel disheartening, especially when you consider the natural changes happening to our bodies.

Have you noticed shifts in your skin over 50? Hormones play a huge role, causing everything from enlarged pores to painful cysts. Decreases in estrogen levels, for example, can leave mature skin feeling drier, thinner, more sensitive, and less toned. While we can't stop the clock, what about the things we can change to avoid those frustrating bad skin days?

Let's dive into some common culprits and how to tackle them for healthier, happier skin.

4 Habits Contributing to Your Bad Skin Days

Sometimes, the simplest habits can secretly sabotage your complexion. Here are four common mistakes that might be giving your skin a hard time:

1. Dirty Cosmetic Brushes: An "Eww and Guilty!" Habit

Confession time: 72% of women admit they don't clean their blush and eyeshadow brushes regularly! Eww, and guilty! These innocent-looking tools are magnets for dirt, oil, grime, and old makeup, which you're then essentially stamping back onto your clean face. At best, this bad habit can clog pores and cause pesky breakouts (which are harder to heal on mature skin!). At worst, dirty eyeliner and shadow brushes can lead to nasty infections like pink eye. Yikes!

• The Fix: Make it a monthly ritual to give your brushes a deep clean with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and warm water. Rinse thoroughly and lay them flat on a clean towel to air dry. Setting a reminder on your phone can be a game-changer for consistently clean tools and clearer skin!

2. The "Sugar Face" Effect (Glycation)

Any good dermatologist will warn you about the dangers of glycation, the process where sugar molecules bond with proteins in your skin. Glycation causes skin to become sallow, lackluster, contributes to unwanted dark circles, and even impacts collagen and elastin. And it's not just sugary desserts; hidden sugars are everywhere in everyday foods like yogurt, store-bought marinara sauces, and even wine.

• The Fix: Combat glycation by incorporating more beauty berries (superfoods!) into your diet. Berries contain Anthocyanin, a powerful antioxidant responsible for their deep red, purple, and blue colors. It helps mitigate damage from free radicals on the skin. You'll find it in blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Ellagic Acid, another antioxidant found in berries, protects skin from sun damage and hinders the formation of enzymes that break down elastin and collagen – a one-two punch against wrinkles! You might also consider cutting wine consumption to weekends only, limiting yourself to a maximum of two glasses (and remember, not those extra-large ones!).

3. Maskne is Real (And Still a Problem!)

Yes, maskne is so real, we've dedicated entire blogs to it! If you're still experiencing more breakouts than normal, especially around your chin and jawline, your mask might be the culprit. Friction, trapped moisture, and bacteria create a perfect storm for blemishes.

• The Fix: First, prioritize changing your mask more often – fresh is always best! Second, consider using a gentle, skin-safe sanitizing spray (check product labels for face compatibility) on the inside of your mask before wearing it. This can help reduce bacteria without irritating your skin.

4. Skipping Your Nightly Skincare Cleanse

This is one of the biggest skincare mistakes many women make: not properly cleansing and removing makeup at night. Falling asleep with makeup on means you're pressing dirt, oil, and cosmetics deep into your pores, which makes them appear larger. And as our collagen levels decline with age, those enlarged pores are less likely to "snap back" to their original size. Plus, leftover makeup can lead to inflammation, irritation, and stubborn breakouts.

• The Fix: Seriously, make nighttime cleansing non-negotiable! Set a reminder – maybe a 7:00 p.m. alarm for "face cleansing time!" Do whatever it takes to remind yourself to cleanse your skin at night before you get too tired. A clean canvas is crucial for your skin's overnight repair process.

How to Have More Good Skin Days: Support Your Collagen!

While we naturally lose collagen as we age, the good news is that these changes don't have to be permanent or irreversible. You can actively support and stimulate your skin's collagen production for firmer, smoother skin.

As Dr. Chapas, MD, a dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Union Square Dermatology in New York, reports, "The most important thing to know about collagen is to protect the collagen you have with sunscreen and stimulate collagen as much as you can with topical retinol."

To further support your collagen production and prevent future bad skin days, look for skincare products that work with your skin's natural processes. Our Pro Collagenand Age Defy Night Cream are formulated with potent ingredients designed to nourish, support, and help firm your mature skin while you sleep. And don't forget the power of Vitamin C, a strong antioxidant that acts as a secondary line of protection against any free radicals that bypass your sunscreen – a perfect complement to any regimen, like our popular Platinum High Potency Vitamin C Serum.

How do YOU prevent bad skin days? Share your best tips and tricks in the comments below!