While many people assume that taking care of your skin is more of a concern for teenagers and adolescents, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Taking care of your skin is important no matter what season of life you’re in and doesn’t stop when you enter your golden years. Sure, you may have to think more about back pain or other health concerns, but your skin is your body’s largest organ – which means your skin health is a strong indicator of your overall health. With all that in mind, let’s look at some skin health tips for seniors to keep looking and feeling their best.
Oil Control
Seniors deal with shine issues on their skin just as much as their younger counterparts. That’s why investing in oily and acne prone skin products that work with mature skin is paramount. From calming masks to toners that help with oil production, you can have a more matte complexion that helps you stay more confident in your appearance. An important part of not worsening oil production is ensuring you don’t over wash your facial skin, stripping it of too much oil and then causing your skin to overproduce oil to compensate. Though seniors may be more likely to use topical medications on their face or other products that need to be washed off, opt to remove them with gentle wipes instead of oil stripping cleansers. Cream cleansers are also beneficial if you are prone to oily skin. Work with your dermatologist to find cleansers that work best for your skin type if you deal with oil production.
Pore Minimization
Another aspect of senior skin that needs attention is enlarged pores and blackheads. It’s easy to clog skin with the use of a ton of products, and it’s also easy to suffer from large pores as you age. As we age, our skin loses elasticity which causes sagging skin. Another byproduct of lost elasticity is the appearance of larger pores. Combat your large pores with tightening toners and products targeted for pore size. Exfoliating products with ingredients like glycolic and salicylic acid can do wonders for your pore size. With mature skin, you may be more sensitive to ingredients than when you were younger, so make sure you’re doing patch tests on small skin sections (the forearm is a great place to test for sensitivities).
Age Spots
One common complaint that seniors have regarding their skin is age spots. Age spots, also known as liver spots, are flat, dark circles common on skin areas with a lot of sun rays. While age spots are harmless and don’t require treatment, many seniors consider them a skin concern and want help alleviating them. While many products on the market promise to lighten and remove your age spots, it’s best to make an appointment with your dermatologist as soon as you see them appearing. It’s easier to solve a smaller problem than a bigger one, and your dermatologist can point you in the right direction as far as taking care of yours.
Dark Circles
Another area where seniors may find dark circles is under their eyes. While many dark circles under the eyes are caused by lack of sleep, it’s hard to diminish them just by doubling down on your beauty sleep. Dark circles are also caused by thinning, aging skin under your eyes, and lack of hydration. It doesn’t help that dark under-eye circles are hereditary, so if your parents dealt with them, don’t be surprised if you are too. Products that can help with dark undereye circles are plenty of water, sleep, and a good under eye cream. The great thing about under eye creams is they target multiple concerns at once, like puffiness, wrinkles, and dark circles.
Taking care of your skin is a journey that will last your entire lifetime. While putting your best face forward is important regarding self-confidence, skin health is more than skin deep. Your skin is a barometer for your overall health and wellness, so investing in it is just as important as eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercises. Use the above-mentioned areas of importance in senior skin to keep looking and feeling your best.
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