Skincare Tips for Older Adults
As your skin matures, it changes and develops more fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. It also becomes more sensitive to damage, such as from the sun, and takes longer to heal. The following tips can help prevent some of the signs of aging, helping you look years younger than you actually are.
Eat Right
Beauty is more than skin deep so be sure to eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of vitamins and minerals. These nutrients help strengthen your skin and make it more resilient, two things that tend to lessen as you grow older. Vitamin C, which you can get from citrus fruits like oranges, helps heal damaged skin and form collagen. Vitamin A, found in carrots and apricots, boost tissue integrity. And Vitamin E, which is in peanuts, sunflower seeds, spinach, and broccoli, prevents cell membranes from being damaged.
Protect Against the Sun
Your body needs some exposure to the sun to absorb Vitamin D for good health. But too much exposure can increase age spots and wrinkling while leading to increased risk of sunburn and skin cancer. Before going out, apply sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. Do this every day because even on cloudy days, the sun’s harmful rays can get through. Wear clothing such as long-sleeved garments and seek shade when outdoors: sunscreen does not block 100 per cent of the sun’s rays. Examine your skin regularly. If you see any unusual moles or spots developing, check with your doctor to ensure that they are not cancerous growths.
Quit Smoking
Aside from being detrimental your overall health and a risk factor for some forms of cancer, smoking wreaks havoc on the skin. It makes you look older by damaging collagen, tissues, and elastin, and causes premature wrinkling, particularly around the mouth. Wounds take longer to heal because the practice prevents the skin from regenerating quickly. Smoking also dries out the skin by lessening moisture content. The only way to avoid all these negative consequences is to quit.
Go Natural
From moisturizers and sunscreens to concealers and perfumes, skincare and makeup products contain all kinds of chemicals and additives that are harmful to the skin. They irritate the skin and cause damage that older skin may not heal from effectively. Instead look for natural alternatives that contain nourishing substances as herbs, aloe vera, olive oil, and vitamins A and E. Stick with unscented products because many aromas are created from chemicals.