Today’s post on caring for aging skin was written by Cora Gold—a skincare and beauty writer, as well as the editor of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She knows her stuff when it comes to caring for aging skin. Enjoy, darlings!

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Aging changes the skin. Dark spots and fine lines that weren’t there before are now more visible. These skin problems are inevitable — and nothing to be ashamed of — but they don’t mean you should stop caring for your skin when you reach your 50s or 60s. Today I’ll share easy tips that anyone can incorporate into their routines, and most of them are practically free!

You may also enjoy my posts: What Is Menopausal Skin and How to Care for It, and The Value of Remaining Body Positive Through Aging.

8 Ways To Care for Aging Skin

Looking after your skin is essential when you’re older because it’s thinner and more sensitive. Here are some tips for glowy and fabulous skin in your 50s and beyond.

1. Care for Your Aging Skin By Hydrating With Water

Proper hydration helps enhance the health and youthfulness of your skin. You look radiant when your skin is elastic from drinking water. Replace alcohol and other unhealthy beverages with water. It’s the most straightforward and cheapest way to improve overall skin health without medical treatments.

Many older adults forget to drink water, so find a way to integrate or stack drinking water into your routine. For instance, drink at least a glass after a meal. When you take your meds, drink a full glass. When you go to the bathroom, replenish with another glass of water — you get the gist. Drink water as often as possible until you meet the required daily fluid intake.

2. Eat Your Way to a Glowing Skin

Fabulous skin is partly a result of a healthy diet. Like foods for the brain, good fats and vitamins make your skin look supple and glowing.

Salmon and mackerel are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids that can reduce inflammation that causes acne and redness. They also contain vitamin E and antioxidant properties that protect you from UV-induced signs of skin inflammation, such as swelling and edema. Other foods rich in skin-health benefits are avocados, sunflower seeds, broccoli, sweet potatoes, walnuts, and tomatoes.

3. Combo a Moisturizer and Sunscreen Daily to Protect Aging Skin

Water hydrates your skin from the inside out and moisturizers do it from the outside. Choose a face moisturizer for mature skin, as they contain formulas that solve common skin problems of older people, like dry and dark spots. Choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and apply anytime you go outside, especially from noon to 4 p.m.

Do the same with the rest of your body. Apply moisturizer, first on your arms and legs and finish it with a layer of sunscreen.

4. Quit Smoking for Improved Skin Health (and Overall Health!)

Smoking can irreparably damage your skin. One study found cigarette smokers have lower skin hydration than non-smokers.

Tobacco products have toxins that break down collagen and elastin the skin needs to stay supple. Smoking can lead to various dermatological concerns, including premature aging, delayed wound healing, severe psoriasis symptoms, acne and skin cancer. Give up smoking or reduce your daily cigarettes if you want to protect your skin.

5. Achieve Firm Skin With Exercise

It may be challenging to hit the gym in your 50s and beyond, but you might get inspired if you know that exercise can make your skin vibrant and glowy. As the blood circulates, it delivers nutrients to various body organs, including the skin.

Exercise increases the oxygen-rich blood and nutrients carried to your skin. That’s why your skin looks radiant, firm and plump after working out. Indirectly, physical activities also lower blood sugar levels which could damage the collagen necessary for healthy skin.

BOXING FOR WOMEN OVER THE AGE OF 50 – AND WHY YOU SHOULD START!

6. Use Gentle Skin Care Products

The body makes less collagen as you age, leading to wrinkles and fragile skin. Use gentle skincare products to hydrate mature skin without washing away its natural oils. Good options are plant-oil- and glycerin-based body soaps, and creamy face cleansers with hyaluronic acid. Many face and body washes on the market contain harsh chemicals that dry the skin, so read the labels before buying a product or ask a dermatologist for recommendations.

Use the products to wash your face two times a day — in the morning and the evening — using warm water. Exfoliate weekly to remove excess oils and dirt that dull the skin. Lather a gentle body wash and make your bath time short. The longer you stay in the shower, the more dry your skin becomes.

7. Take Supplements to Support Healthy Skin

Aging also affects the appetite and taste palate. Your favorite foods may be less delectable, so you’d naturally eat less and be selective of what to put into your mouth. This change leads to vitamin or nutrient deficiencies in many older people. If you need more nutrition, your doctor may recommend supplements to promote skin health.

Fish oils are one example if you consume less seafood and don’t get omega-3 fatty acids. They can replenish the lost natural oil on the skin, and make it look healthier and hydrated. Like this supplement, Vital Dhea Stability by Veracity boosts the body’s own DHEA levels (a type of omega-3), the key to reducing signs of hormonal aging such as loss of skin firmness and wrinkles.

Consult your doctor before taking any supplements.

8. Find Ways to Decompress to Aid Aging Skin

When you’re stressed, the body functions irregularly. The glands produce more sebum that causes acne or worsens breakouts. If you have eczema or psoriasis, stress can lead to a flare-up of symptoms.

Adopt methods to de-stress and regulate your body’s internal processes. Some people love meditating to stop cycles of overthinking leading to stress. Others enjoy catching up with friends and family. Find a few things that make you feel calm and happy — your skin and health benefit from doing these things.

Glow From Within in Your 50s and Beyond

You can do many things to protect your skin as it ages. Lifestyle is a significant part of a healthy body and skin.

Go for a run, join a yoga class or hit the gym for at least 30 minutes daily. Drink plenty of water to rehydrate your skin from the inside. Be wiser about your food choices and add more greens and fruits to your meal plan. Quit smoking, adopt a relaxation method and buy gentle skin care products. Get assessed by your doctor to determine if you have vitamin deficiency so they can prescribe a supplement.

*This is not intended to be a substitute for personalized medical advice. Please speak with your doctor before making changes to your diet (including supplements) or exercise routines.

I’ve shared my well-researched tips, do you have any for me? Please share in the comments!

Author bio: Cora Gold is a skincare and beauty writer, as well as the editor at women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest.

 

 

 

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