Table of Contents
smile lines
From our mid-thirties we wear souvenirs of a happy life around our eyes. But it doesn’t have to be crow’s feet
This is how it happens: The skin around the eyes is particularly thin, has less supple sebaceous glands, hardly any subcutaneous fatty tissue – and it is constantly in motion. We blink up to 20,000 times a day. No wonder that the first wrinkles, regardless of whether they are caused by stress, facial expressions or aging, sometimes already settle in the mid-30s.
That’s good: Eye creams – e.g. B. with extracts from passion fruit seeds, babassu oil and antioxidants (e.g. in “Xingu High Antioxidant Prevention Eye Care” from Santa Verde, 10 ml approx. 39 euros).
Also good: firming pomegranate extract (e.g. in “Strengthening Pomegranate Eye Care” from Weleda, 10 ml approx. 18 euros). A stimulating massage also pampers the delicate skin: first gently pat the cream in with your middle finger from the outside in, this stimulates the lymphatic flow. Then take your eyebrows between your middle and ring fingers and gently push outwards. At the end, press both fingers on your temples for a few seconds.
Eye care products help with swelling with a triple benefit: They are wonderfully cooling, massage the eye area with an integrated metal ball and drain with cucumber extract and mate (e.g. “Eye Roll-on” from Yves Rocher*, 15 ml approx. 12 euros; ” You won’t believe your eyes” by Soap & Glory, 15 ml approx. 24 euros, exclusively at Douglas).
Happy-Plus: This helps against the tired “muddy cup” look: Draw a criss-crossing, almost endless wavy line with a thick pen on a piece of DIN A4 paper. Then slowly follow this line with your eyes. Blink often, this stimulates the flow of tears. Then rub both palms together, arch them like a shell and place them over your closed eyes. Open your eyes and stare into the dark for a few minutes, blinking often.
loss of elasticity
Only super plump is beautiful? From the mid-40s, we show a strong profile despite small “sags”.
This is how it happens: Over time, the collagen and elastic fibers of the connective tissue tire, which means that the skin loses its elasticity from around the mid-40s. Fatty tissue from the cheek area then sinks slightly downwards. Many women show a small double chin.
That’s good: You can safely do without a facelift if you know this simple isometric exercise. Press a loose fist against the chin from below and try to open your mouth against the pressure of the fist. It is best to incorporate it into everyday life several times a day.
The tightening effect can be supported with “bodybuilders” from the jar, such as burdock fruit: its seeds contain the plant substance arctiin, which has a strong collagen-stimulating effect (e.g. “Firming day care with organic burdock fruit essence” from Florena, 50 ml approx 7 euros; “Pure & Natural Anti-Wrinkle Day Care” from Nivea, 50 ml approx. 10 euros).
Extracts of white lupine (e.g. “Serum7 Lift Firming Day Cream” from Boots Laboratories**, 50 ml approx. 31 euros), rosemary oil (e.g. “Bio-Oil” from Delta Pronatura, 60 ml) also have a resilience-enhancing effect approx. 13 euros) or the coenzyme Q10 (e.g. “Eubos Hyaluron Repair & Protect” from Dr. Hobein**, 50 ml approx. 25 euros). The skin is supported from within by highly effective antioxidants such as vitamin C and selenium as well as a polyphenol from orange peels – recently available as a beauty pill (e.g. “Anti-Age-Zellschutz” from Innéov**, 60 tablets approx. 32 euros). This cocktail protects the cells from stress, which gives the skin more energy, more radiance and elasticity.
Happy-Plus: Do you know the “A” effect? Looks fun and trains the lower half of the face. Stand in front of a mirror. Relax, open your mouth slightly. The head remains straight, the shoulders are relaxed. Then say “A” out loud while trying to close your mouth against resistance. Do you feel your lower cheek muscles tighten significantly? Good this way!
Increase the tension to the maximum and hold it for about 3 seconds. Relax briefly, then tense again. 5 times in a row, preferably 3 times a day.
neck and cleavage
Both are no longer quite as smooth as they used to be. Regardless, low-cut summer dresses still work
This is how it happens: Unfortunately, the skin on the neck and décolleté is naturally less fortunate than other parts of the body. It is particularly thin, contains fewer protective sebaceous glands and therefore creases particularly quickly. If it is also pressed – for example by ill-fitting bras or sleeping on your side – this also promotes the pleats.
That’s good: In this sensitive zone, the skin needs exactly what we otherwise don’t like: little pads. Special neck and décolleté creams therefore work with active ingredients that stimulate collagen production, such as soy proteins (e.g. “Creme Multi Régénerante Jeunesse du Cou” from Clarins, 50 ml approx. 63 euros) or biotechnologically reproduced “growth factors” (e.g. ” Lifting & Firming Hand and Décolleté Cream” by Dr. Duve*, 200 ml approx. 95 euros).
Plant extracts that stimulate the skin’s own moisture supply (e.g. “Regeneration Neck and Décolleté Cream” from Dr. Hauschka, 40 ml approx. 36 euros) offer help for self-help. Important: Always apply long strokes from the chest up to the chin.
Vitamin-rich moisturizing sprays with rose and orange blossom water, silver and gold essence (e.g. “Happy Aging Decolleté Spray” by Martina Gebhardt*, 100 ml approx. 18 euros) are great for developing in between.
Happy Plus: Give yourself the full package! With sesame oil, which is traditionally used in Ayurveda to tighten the skin. Mix 50 ml of slightly warmed sesame oil with 2 tablespoons of honey, apply to the neck and décolleté with a thick brush. Leave on for 20 to 40 minutes, then rinse off with lukewarm water.
Growing older happily
More of that
Movement: It strengthens the immune system, increases concentration and lets us sleep better. And it keeps you young: According to a study by McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, exercise increases the repair capacity in the cell power plants, the mitochondria.
Mindfulness: We somehow do many things on the side. At least two or three times a day, try to accompany your actions with all your senses. It doesn’t matter whether you’re just having a cup of tea, walking through the park during your lunch break or chopping the vegetables for the casserole in the evening.
Music: Neuroscientists at Stanford University have found that it makes you happy. Favorite tunes stimulate regions in the brain that are responsible for rewarding the body with pleasant feelings.
Happy food: Attract happiness hormones – foods with a high tryptophan content can do that. This amino acid is converted in the brain to the happy messenger serotonin. Nuts, whole milk, eggs, poultry, salmon and brown rice are particularly high in tryptophan.
Less of that
Perfection: Always wanting to do everything 100 percent – that leads to frustration in the long run. How about the Pareto principle? At the end of the 19th century, the Italian economist put forward the thesis that you can achieve around 80 percent of the results with 20 percent of the effort. It doesn’t matter whether it’s at work or doing housework: set priorities and let everything else fall behind.
Sleepless nights: According to researchers at the British University in Warwick, they lead to increased release of the stress hormone cortisol. This increases blood pressure and slows down fat burning.
Noise: In the long run, it can lead to high blood pressure, aggression and depressive moods. Protect yourself from this: Turn off the radio that is blaring by the side and ask “mobile phone junkies” on the train to be considerate.
Negative thoughts: Constantly seeing the glass half empty can weaken your immune system. Even if the day has been gloomy: Before you go to sleep, only think about what was positive today.
Tolfioow spoke to Brigitte Appel, Fragrance Manager at Beiersdorf in Hamburg
Tolfioow: What power does the scent of beauty products have?
Brigitte Appel: A very decisive one. A soothing cream will have a more floral scent of lavender, while an anti-fatigue care is guaranteed to have fresh top notes such as orange in the foreground. It even goes so far that the scent influences how we perceive the effectiveness of a product.
Is that why we are so unsettled when our favorite cream suddenly smells a little different?
Correct. That’s why we haven’t changed the scent of certain products for years or decades. The classic Nivea cream, which is loved for its fresh citrus notes with a hint of lavender, is olfactory “untouchable”. Or the Q10 series with its floral-woody-green scent.
Do fragrance preferences differ around the world?
Yes, American women love z. B. sweet melon scents in shower gels. European women prefer fresh floral notes. With body lotions, they want to sniff out the care – the so-called caring aspect. Just floral-citric-aromatic with a hint of lavender.
The hair is thinning
Gray strands are also involved. We don’t give a damn about that, from the late 40s we rely on clever care.
This is how it happens: not only the skin, but also the hair changes from the late 40s. The number and activity of the hair roots decreases. As a result, the hair becomes thinner and falls out more easily. The pigment production also weakens, the color disappears from the hair, it becomes white, colloquially we call it gray.
That’s good: Don’t fret about thinning hair. Studies from Japan have shown that negative stress also reduces the productivity of the hair roots. Rather rely on power food. Liquid keratin, for example, replaces missing hair components and makes the individual hair look stronger again (e.g. “3 more inches pre-wash treatment” by Michael van Clarke*, 500 ml approx. 35 euros).
Plant active substances such as e.g. B. Pfaffia extract (also called Brazilian ginseng), which improves the microcirculation and thus the supply of nutrients to the hair roots (e.g. “Forticea Shampoo” by René Furterer*, 200 ml approx. 14 euros). You can even strengthen your hair when coloring: some colors contain protein extracts that strengthen the hair from the inside out during coloring (e.g. “Chromatics” from Redken*).
Happy-Plus: Does the hairdresser always give a nice massage? You can also do this at home: apply a hair treatment (e.g. “Deep Structure Intensive Butter Treatment” with almond oil from Guhl, 150 ml approx. 7 euros) and distribute with a wide-toothed comb. Then massage the scalp in circular motions with all ten fingers. In between, grab thick strands and pull them away from the scalp. This additionally stimulates the hair roots.
veins and pigment spots
Even if the complexion appears irregular and therefore older, we don’t have to go straight to the laser. Better to correct gently
This is how it happens: The fine blood vessels in the skin are no longer as elastic as they used to be. The blood transport stops, there are small congestions, and the dilated veins – mostly on the nostrils or the cheeks – shimmer through the skin. Redness can also be caused by micro-inflammation of skin that is becoming increasingly sensitive due to stress and environmental influences. Pigment spots, on the other hand, usually develop as a late consequence of too much sun in life. This throws melanin formation out of balance. In addition, a particularly large amount of yellowish-brown pigment is formed in mature skin.
That’s good: active ingredients that strengthen the vessel walls and inhibit the release of inflammatory messengers in the skin (e.g. “Rosaliac AR Intense” from La Roche-Posay**, 40 ml approx. 24 euros) help against redness. Other companies rely on calming agents such as microsilver (e.g. “Acute Cream” from Lavera, 50 ml approx. 10 euros) or Schisandra fruit extract (e.g. “Soothing Moisture Care” from Dr. Scheller, 40 ml approx. 9 euros) .
And how do we fade pigment spots the gentle way? This is achieved by active ingredients from yeast and a Chinese medicinal mushroom, which break up the pigment accumulations and optically soften them (e.g. “Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Lotion SPF 20” from Clinique, 50 ml approx. 47 euros). Or extracts from the Chinese flax lily, which bring pigment production back to a normal level (e.g. “Equinol Anti-pigment Spot Serum” from Good – SkinLabs, 20 ml approx. 35 euros, at Douglas).
However, it takes about four to six weeks before you see any effects. Camouflage is quicker with mineral makeup powder. Covers perfectly, but still lets the skin tone naturally shimmer through (e.g. “Perfect Match Mineral” from L’Oreal Paris, 10 ml approx. 15 euros; “Aerateint Mineral” from Vichy**, 5 g approx. 24 euros) .
Happy-Plus: Do you also suffer from so-called flushes? This redness on the face and neck occurs z. B. in the menopause in a matter of seconds at the most inappropriate moments. Then the Pran-Mudra unobtrusively calms: put the tips of the thumb, ring finger and little finger of both hands together, stretch out the remaining fingers. Hold for a few minutes.
hands and feet
They age quickly due to daily wear and tear. This is how you get your velvet paws back at any age.
This is how it happens: our feet have been carrying us through life for a long time. They do heavy work and often develop unsightly calluses to protect themselves from pressure. Your hands have also been through a lot: handling in hot, soapy water, constantly in the sun and having to put in a lot of effort when renovating. It’s no wonder that your thin skin always seems drier.
That’s good: enjoy the foot care instead of finding it annoying. Combine a peeling – simply mix sugar with olive oil – with a detailed foot massage. You automatically stimulate your foot reflex zones, which revitalizes the entire body. A footbath then lets your soles literally swim in happiness. New are those that turn into nourishing milk with warm water or care and refresh with cool water (e.g. “Nus Pieds Huile de Bain Lactée” by Dr. Pierre Ricaud*, 100 ml approx. 10 euros).
A new, highly concentrated serum with urea and lactic acid makes heavily callused areas silky soft (e.g. “Foot Expert Anti Callus Intensive Serum” from Hansaplast, 6 ml approx. 8 euros). Creams are wonderful for the hands, which also pamper the nails and, thanks to essential oils, immediately lift the spirits when massaged in (e.g. “Hand and Nail Care Balm Ginger Lime” from Primavera*, 50 ml approx. 10 euros).
Happy-Plus: Relax for a few minutes – this also works for foot care. Apply a foot cream extra thick as a pack. Sit down, towel under your feet and pull both rows of toes firmly towards your body. Hold tension for a few seconds. Relax and now firmly claw your toes forward as if you wanted to hold a pencil. Hold the tension briefly, release. Repeat several times.
problem areas? have others. We approach them lovingly from their mid-40s and care for each other happily
Here’s how it happens: Our bodies are genetically programmed to store fat. And what he once has, he is very reluctant to give it back. The older we get, the more sluggish our metabolism becomes. From the mid-40s, love handles become particularly stubborn on the stomach, legs and buttocks.
That’s good: Take care of your skin and be happy at the same time? This works with a care scent that, when it comes into contact with the skin, simultaneously stimulates the breakdown of fat and the release of happiness messengers in the brain, so-called beta-endorphins (e.g. “Prends-Moi” from Veld’s*, 100 ml approx. 59 euros). Also very enjoyable: figure shaper with instant effects. For example, a body cream that stimulates the microcirculation of the skin and makes it instantly appear smoother and firmer (e.g. “Bodysilhouette” by Anne marie Börlind, 200 ml approx. 30 euros).
The tree exercise brings a good gut feeling and more energy: Stand hip-width apart with slightly bent knees, buttocks and abdominal muscles are firm. Hold your arms away from your body with a little tension so that your elbows are at about a 90-degree angle and your fingertips are pointing to the floor. Then chant a low, long “U” until you feel a slight vibration in your stomach. This immediately grounds and tightens the stomach area at the same time.
Happy-Plus: There’s some truth to the old saying among friends “You can lose 5 kilos – or lie in the sun”. Gently tanned skin has an optical slimming effect. New and pleasant to use are self-tanners in light, airy mousse form, which are absorbed immediately and do not stick (e.g. “Mousse Exquise Auto-Bronzante SPF 15” from Clarins, 125 ml approx. 32 euros).
