In the 60s and 70s, skin becomes drier and is easily irritated. The aging process makes skin thinner and likely to lose water, while medicines and medical conditions can affect skin as well. Fortunately, the proper skin care and moisturizers can keep skin hydrated and more youthful looking well into the 70s and 80s.
Taking care of your skin once you reach a certain age becomes increasingly important. Whether your skin issues involve dark spots, wrinkles, or dry skin, there are products out there that use special formulations to help.
What Are The Characteristics Of Aging Skin?
Older people tend to have dry skin. Many things contribute to dry skin as we get older, and some of these you can combat if you put some time and energy into your skincare routine.
One reason skin becomes dry, wrinkled, and sagging is the collagen or protein in the skin becomes depleted through:
- Dehydration: Many people simply don’t take in enough water. Hydrating properly is one way to combat dry skin as well as contribute to overall better health.
- Too Much Sun: Another reason many people have dry skin is from spending time in the sun. Applying sunscreen, wearing a hat with a brim, and staying away from the dangerous UV rays during their strongest point of the day can help provide sun protection. Sun damage is not reversible, but you can certainly keep from acquiring more.
- Smoking: According to the National Institute on Aging, smoking also leads to dry and aging skin. Smoking can also lead to deep wrinkles around the mouth, yet another reason to quit.
- Stress: Stress will not only make you look tired and older than you are, but it can also lead to dry, unhealthy skin. One important aspect of self-care is to try to avoid unnecessary stress.
How Can You Prevent Skin Dryness?
You can prevent skin dryness in many ways.
- Staying properly hydrated is one excellent method to better skin health.
- Using a face cream at night can leave your skin feeling better in the morning and will promote elasticity. Night creams come in many different types and weights.
- Taking fewer baths and showers can help your skin feel less dry. Hot water from bathing dries your skin out, which many people find surprising. Your skin and hair don’t need to be washed with shampoo or soap daily. Find a mild cleanser or soap which will be easier on your skin.
- Using a moisturizer every day is a good way to help keep your skin supple. Good skin care products do not have to cost a lot of money, so don’t get sucked in by fancy names and big price tags. It is good to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 to help prevent skin cancer, age spots, and other sun-related issues.
How Do You Know It’s Time To Step up your Skin Care Regimen?
Honestly, the time to improve your skin care regimen was probably yesterday. Many of us don’t put a consistent effort into caring for our skin. If you notice changes, such as your skin is dryer or oilier than it once was, it is time to make some changes.
Different skin types require different types of care. It is important to determine if you have dry skin, oily skin, or skin that is somewhere in-between. It is even possible for your skin to be combination type, where it is oily in some patches, and dry or normal in others.
What Should Your Regimen Be For Skin Care Over 60 And Beyond?
As you age, there are many skin care tips that will help reduce the signs of aging. Protect your skin from the sun consistently. You should also eat a balanced diet with plenty of hydration and stay fit with exercise to increase blood flow. Another important step is to make an annual dermatology appointment for a body scan to look for troubling spots.
Never go to bed with a dirty face to keep your skin looking bright and healthy. Even if you could get away with simply washing with soap and water in your youth, consider taking up a consistent skincare regimen once you pass age 50. This does not have to be expensive or complicated.
The bare minimum steps include washing with a gentle cleanser, then using a toner and moisturizer. In addition, always wear sunscreen when outside.
What Lotions, Moisturizers, And Serums Should You Use?
Picking products for your aging skin can be complicated and feel overwhelming. How do you know what to use? You should choose products from these categories.
- Cleanser: Your cleanser should be milder as you age. Women over 50, in particular, need to start using a more mild face wash as they naturally will begin to have more sensitive skin.
- Toner: Toner is used after cleanser. The purpose is to refreshen your face without drying out the skin cells.
- Moisturizer: Using a good moisturizer will help provide a skin barrier. It can provide a base for any cosmetics you might use, or protect your skin when exposed to harsh elements.
- Serum: A vitamin C serum is reputed to help protect the skin from many issues. The list includes sunburn, hyperpigmentation, dryness, wrinkles, sagging, and even uneven skin tone.
- Skin Brightener: A brightener sometimes works as a scrub to remove dead layers of skin. It also can lighten and brighten skin tone, which is helpful because you often get darker patches with your skin aging.
- Exfoliant: Using an exfoliation cream is like using tiny little scrubbing bubbles or bits of sand to remove dead skin. Just be careful because these products can have a drying result. Always follow up with a moisturizing cream.
- Collagen: Collagen supplements add moisture to your skin, as well as elasticity. Collagen supplements are typically taken orally and can help with mature skin by replacing lost natural collagen.
- Eye Cream: The main advantage of using eye cream is to add moisture which helps to remove the fine lines around the eyes, which is an anti-aging trick.
What Are The Best Wrinkle Removers
Many top brands have excellent products that can help your skin recover some of its more youthful properties.
- Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is an anti-aging moisturizer.
- First Aid Beauty Hello Fab Coconut Water Cream is another moisturizer known for its hydrating properties.
- Alastin Renewal Retinol helps improve skin elasticity and tone.
- Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Cream reduces wrinkles and improves skin tone.
- Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream fights fine lines, dullness, wrinkles, and dark spots.
- Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel-Cream will help reduce wrinkles around the eyes.
- CeraVe Skin Renewing Day Cream is an excellent day cream with sunscreen.
- Peter Thomas Roth Pro Strength Vitamin A/C/E Retinoid Treatment is the top choice for hyperpigmentation.
Why is Protecting Your Skin From the Sun Increasingly Important As You Age?
Ask any dermatologist and they will tell you exactly how important it is to shield your skin from the dangerous rays of the sun. The most obvious danger is that exposure to UV rays can lead to skin cancer. The sun is also damaging to your skin and can lead to premature wrinkles.
It is fairly easy to keep your skin protected by using sunscreen, wearing long sleeves and long pants, and covering your face by wearing a hat with a brim. Sunglasses are also important to shield your eyes from dangerous rays.
If you made bad skin care choices in your youth, it is never too late to turn around your skin care procedures by taking better care of yourself now. This includes sun exposure, how you wash your skin, and proper hydration.