Essential Tips for Seniors’ Skincare

As one ages, how you care for your skin becomes increasingly important. Everyday, our skin is exposed to irritants such as the sun and even haze which can make our skin look dull and tired. Here, we breakdown what the skin issues commonly seen in seniors are and some tips to pamper your skin!

Common skin issues for seniors

Wrinkles

Many lament about getting “laugh lines” as they age. This happens as the skin gradually loses its flexibility and elasticity. Other factors that exacerbate this is prolonged sun exposure and smoking which can both cause wrinkles to form earlier than they might.

Dry Skin

Another common elderly skin condition is dry skin. While it might sound harmless from the onset, it has the potential to be a rather serious skin condition. As one ages, the skin produces less oil and this increases the tendency for the skin to be itchy. It is sometimes hard to resist the urge to scratch and unknowingly, it might break and bleed before we know it. Elderly skin heals slower, and cuts or scrapes can quickly become infected. 

Use SPF daily

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When it’s sunny, rainy or cloudy, always have your sunblock at hand. Excessive ultraviolet (UV) ray exposure from the sun is a risk factor for skin cancer and it is advised not to overexpose yourself to the sun and wear sun protection when needed. According to the CDC, most skin cancer cases are reported in adults over age 65, so it is all the more important for seniors to have adequate sun protection.

These days, sunblock comes in many forms – from lotions, creams, sprays and even stick roll-ons for you to choose from. 

Build a skincare routine

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Having a skincare routine is good practice. Know your skin type and start building your skincare routines. Start simple by mastering these essentials: 

Master the essentials

• Gentle cleansing: An ideal cleanser is one that cleanses without drying out the skin and especially so for mature skin where the natural oil production is relatively lower. Experiment around to find a cleanser that cleans and soothes the skin without damaging the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Alternatively, it is also okay to just wash with plain water to prevent further drying. As a note of caution for older persons, it is advised to stay away from bath oils as they are very slippery, increasing the risks of falls.
• Moisturise frequently: As dry skin is more prone amongst older persons, it is even more key to moisturise frequently to avoid the discomfort from dry and sensitive skin. There are three main types of moisturisers — lotion, cream, ointment for you to find one that best suits your needs

Anti-Ageing Care

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Give Yourself a Facial Massage – Facial massages can minimise the appearance of fine lines and help achieve a smoother texture. Gua Sha (the practice of scraping the skin with a flat, smooth-edged tool) is another popular option amongst older adults, this is a Chinese technique where the layers under the outer skin are stimulated, and micro-circulation is improved.

Treat Wrinkles and Hyperpigmentation – Treat yourself to a skincare device which helps with skin troubles from depuffing eyes and boosting skincare absorption to lifting your skin too. The allure of these devices is that they are able to help diagnose and provide one with customised skin recommendations. 

Finding skincare with these ingredients

• Vitamin C: Antioxidants are essential in any anti-aging skincare routine. Vitamin C is proven to help neutralise the free radicals in our body that lead to oxidative stress. This helps to prevent premature skin ageing.
• Retinoids: A derivative of vitamin A, retinoids are essential in anti-aging routines as they trigger one’s body to make more collagen, keeping the skin elastic and firm.
• Peptides: Peptides are tiny chains of proteins that help repair damaged skin cells, with the ability to boost your body’s natural levels of collagen, which ultimately helps slow signs of ageing.

Don’t neglect your inner beauty

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Lastly, stay hydrated – make conscious beverage choices by drinking enough water, eating well and sleeping well to build an anti-ageing foundation. Other than downing water, other ways to ensure you stay hydrated is to choose foods with high water content – cucumbers, watermelon, lettuce or even drinking soups (with low sodium content). 

Conclusion

The best way to develop an effective skincare routine is through trial and error or if needed, with a professional’s help. Every senior’s skin is different, so different products may be more effective than others.