The Decade: 50s and beyond
The Skin You're In
You'll notice even more of a change in your skin tone after menopause, says Lucchina. "It has even less elasticity," she explains. When you toss in cumulative sun damage, texture and color issues suddenly become more apparent. You'll also see more significant lines around the eyes, mouth, and across the forehead.

Essential Steps:
+ Watch for signs of skin cancer, says Welch. Enlarged moles, dry spots that don't go away, and pimples that bleed and don't heal should be examined.

+ To prevent moisture loss, use a creamy cleanser, an alcohol-free toner, and a rich hydrator every morning and night.

+ Cell turnover slows in your fifties, so consider switching to an abrasive exfoliant like ground almonds or apricot seeds.

Thinking Ahead
It's never too late to prevent skin damage from occurring in the future, emphasizes Schultz. "It's terrible to think people are writing their skin off," he says. "Your skin is still constantly renewing itself and can actually be very forgiving. It just needs help to improve." You'll be surprised at the difference proper moisturization and exfoliation can make.
 
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Age spots indicate an accumulation of free radicals, Petty explains. Prevent further damage by getting enough vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, and selenium -- all potent antioxidants. Petty also suggests drinking milk-thistle tea to support the liver and aid in the elimination of toxins.

Freelance writer Sharon Goldman covers health and beauty issues for Body + Soul.