Skincare For Aging Skin

Wrinkles and age spots might sound appalling but these are the most common assaults faced by our skin as it ages. The good news is that these aging aspects of our skin can be kept at bay if we follow a proper skin care routine. We can retain the youthful look and glow on our skin with a little extra effort. We bring you tips to care for aging skin.

Aging of skin

Collagen secreted by the skin plays a great role in retaining the youthfulness of our skin. As we age, our skin loses its ability to produce and retain collagen thus reducing the skin's elasticity. This causes wrinkles in our skin. As we age our skin becomes thin and dry, thus offering minimal protection from external agents. These factors contribute to premature aging of skin.

Intrinsic aging/internal aging: Natural aging process begins in the mid-twenties. Collagen production slows down and elastin (this maintains elasticity of the skin) loses its pliability. Dead cells line the surface of the skin and take a longer time to shed thus delaying production of new cells. This causes aging of the skin. Intrinsic aging is influenced greatly by genes and hereditary factors.

Extrinsic aging/external aging: External factors that cause premature aging of the skin include sun, smoking, alcohol consumption etc.

Care for aging skin

• Sun can be fun, but too much exposure can cause irreparable damage to the skin. While you are in the sun, make sure you cover yourself well. Use wide-brimmed hats and shirts with long sleeves to offer maximum protection from the sun.
  
  
• It is a myth that you don't need a sunscreen during winter. Sunscreen is a must for all seasons. Use a sunscreen lotion that offers protection from UVA and UVB rays. The sunscreen you use should have at least a SPF of 15.
  
  
• Cleansing your skin with a cream base is gentler on the skin when compared to harsh soaps. Soaps also have the tendency to make the skin dry.
  
  
• Moisturizing the skin is another important aspect of skin care. Dry skin caused by winter and dry heat should be moisturized thoroughly. Dry skin can make wrinkles look worse.
  
  
• Try alpha-hydroxy cleanser or lotion on the area of the skin that has age spots, this will lighten the age spots thus making your skin look younger.
  
  
• Check before you buy and use any cosmetics; you might be allergic to few of the ingredients. Most common irritants in cosmetics include lavender, menthol, lemon grass, few kinds of oils, etc.
  
  
• Use fade creams in the night to give your skin an even color.
  
  
• Treat your skin - Your skin needs to be treated for damages that can happen as you age.
  
  
• Consult a dermatologist if you have too many age spots and wrinkles.

Control aging of skin

Drink plenty of water: Water can hydrate your skin and reduce the dryness of skin. Drink plenty of water as it prevents premature wrinkles.

Exercise: Regular cardio exercises can keep your sweat glands and oil glands healthy thus giving your skin a healthier look.

Follow a regular skin care routine: Cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin regularly. Exfoliating the skin is also important as it removes the dead skin on the surface. Use products recommended by your dermatologist.

Follow healthy eating habit: Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables; limit sugar and fat intake. Essential nutrients from the food you consume can revitalize your skin thus making it glow.

Sleep well: People who get sufficient sleep have glowing skin; sufficient sleep does control aging of the skin.

Quit smoking: Smoking can narrow the blood vessels thus preventing essential nutrients from reaching your skin. This will reduce collagen and result in premature wrinkles.

Cut down on alcohol intake: Alcohol can dehydrate the system and the skin. Excessive alcohol intake can deplete collagen in your skin thus producing early wrinkles, thus reduce alcohol intake.

Use warm water to bathe: Use warm water instead of hot water to bathe. Warm water does not dry our skin as much as hot water does.

Limit sun exposure: Excessive sun exposure can rob your skin of essential nutrients thus causing irreparable damage to the skin. Hence protect your skin from excessive sun exposure.

Use sunglasses: Sunglasses offer protection to the delicate skin around your eyes thus preventing wrinkles.

Do not wash your face too often: If you wash your face very often, the chlorine in the water can strip off the natural oils and moisture from your face.

Remove makeup before sleep: Remove your makeup before you go to sleep else it might affect your anti-aging schedule.

Special tips for aging skin

Use mild soaps: Use soaps that are mild. The harsh cleansers in non-mild soaps can further dry and irritate the skin. Perfume-free and alcohol-free soaps will best suit the purpose.

Keep your skin clean: Bathing regularly with mild soaps can keep your skin clean.

Do not scratch: Skin gets delicate and thinner as you age; hence stop scratching your skin as this might cause bleeding.

Moisturize: Dry skin is the most common problem faced by people as they age. Aging/aged skin has to be moisturized regularly; it is advisable to use a moisturizer just after you wash yourself.