Try as you may, you can’t outrun biology. You can age well of course, and minimize the passage of time. But we all get older. And it shows in our skin.
So age creeps up. Big deal, some people look older than others. Take care of your skin and you can look twenty years younger. The trick is to start early.
This article contains mature skin care tips, for aging skin, and how to age slower. Remember that the skin is our biggest organ. Signs of aging skin include:
- rough texture
- lost elasticity
- transparency
- fragility
- dry surface
- easily bruised
This is normal. We generate cells at a slower rate as we get older. We also have less collagen and elastin production, and the epidermis (surface layer of skin) gets thinner. This explains, in part, why we experience the symptoms of aging skin described above.
As an experiment, pinch the skin on the back of your hand with your index finger and thumb. Hold it for five seconds, then release. How long does it take to flatten out? The quicker it does, the younger your skin’s function. Less than two seconds means your skin has a functional age less than 30. Five to nine seconds and it’s 45-50. If it takes a minute or longer, your skin is over 70.
Eventually, no matter what we do, our skin gets older. In that sense, mature skin care tips reflect skin care of younger years. It’s still important to drink water, eat healthy and minimize time in the sun. In fact, as we get older, it’s more important than ever.
How can we minimize aging of our skin?
Use quality skin care products – We know it’s important to use a daily cleanser and moisturizer every day, one for the body and one for the face. Keep doing this. Look for creams with retinol and vitamin C, an antioxidant that’s proven to stimulate collagen production. This helps to minimize fine lines, scars and wrinkles.
On a related note, avoid parabens when possible. These are common preservatives in many skin care products. While they’re generally safe, parabens can trigger allergic reactions and rosacea in people with hypersensitive skin, and studies suggest methylparaben can amplify aging from sun damage.
Don’t smoke – A friendly skin-care tip: don’t smoke! The hazards of smoking are well documented, and among them, accelerated aging of the skin. There’s a reason why people who smoke look older – they age faster.
Eat a well-balanced, skin-friendly diet – When it comes to skin-protective foods, you can’t beat antioxidants. You’ll find them in green tea, apples, grapes, berries and oily fish, especially salmon. Honorable mention goes to citrus fruits, nuts, olive oil, whole grains, low-fat dairy and green, leafy vegetables. And drink eight glasses of water each day.
Manage sun exposure – Beyond smoking and bad habits, the sun is responsible for 90% of aging to the skin. Especially in the advancing years, it’s important to watch sun exposure to prevent further wrinkles, sun spots and risk of skin cancers.
Wear a sunscreen of at least SPF 15, and higher in hot climates. Avoid the sun between 10AM and 4PM when possible. Cover up, with long-sleeved, light-textured clothes, to keep cool and to reflect the sun’s heat, and wear a hat, preferably wide-brimmed. If you wear sandals, don’t forget to put sunscreen on your feet!
Remember, you can’t outrun biology. Genetics and environment will also determine how your skin ages. Mature skin care tips embrace healthy habits, of hygiene, diet and protection from the sun. So treat your skin well. Live right, and with consistency and a little luck, it will return the favor.
