Aging brings a lot of changes to the physical self. Maybe you have stiffer joints or can’t enjoy the foods you once could. Maybe you’ve developed a health condition that requires a little extra attention and care.

Whatever your particular challenges of aging may be, we’re lucky to live in an age that offers many solutions and reliefs to aging people.

One of those issues is skincare.

The skin naturally loses elasticity, collagen and volume as we get older. But what you may not know is just how much skin damage can be avoided and even reversed with the right treatments and habits.

Check out these four tips for taking great care of aging skin.

The Majority of Skin Damage is Sun Exposure (It’s Never Too Late for Sunscreen)

If you don’t wear sunscreen every single day, you’re putting your skin at risk of dangerous UV rays and accelerated aging.

It’s important to remember that the majority of skin damage comes from exposure to the sun. When we’re young, we often indulge in full days outside, swimming and exploring. We often forget or neglect to wear sunscreen because we aren’t seeing the immediate effects of sun exposure on our skin.

As we get older, however, those changes begin to manifest. Sun spots, sagging and wrinkles are just a few of the effects of sun exposure.

The biggest (and most dangerous) side effect of sun exposure is skin cancer. Prolonged or continuous exposure to the sun causes mutations or even death in our cells, especially when we get a sunburn. Repeated sunburns or irritation can increase your chances of skin cancer.

If you have a genetic pre-disposition to skin cancer, it is imperative that you stay out of the sun from 10 AM to 2 PM. It’s also important to cover up as much as possible when outside and to protect yourself with sunscreen when exposed.

It’s also important to visit the doctor to have suspect moles checked.

Check out this handy list for spotting suspicious, possibly cancerous moles.

Choose Products That Work

Another mistake that many seniors make when caring for their skin is choosing the wrong products.

A visit to the doctor or dermatologist can help you determine your particular skin concerns and find the products that are most likely to give you the results you want.

For the majority of aging people, wrinkles, dehydration and overall dullness of the skin are big concerns.

Check out our favorite products for addressing some of these issues:

Retinoids are a proven anti-aging element. Many dermatologists recommend beginning a retinol regimen in the late 20s, but the benefits are available to people of all ages. Retinols work by increasing cell turnover and collagen production, while also evening out skin tones and reducing wrinkles.  Some of our favorite retinoid-based products include:

Another important element of any aging person’s skincare regimen is a great eye cream. The skin beneath our eyes is some of the thinnest and most sensitive of all. These eye creams can help fight the signs of aging and keep that skin healthy:

  • Dennis Gross Ferulic and Retinol Eye Cream
  • First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy AM Gel Cream
  • Estee Lauder Advanced Eye Repair Synchronized Complex II

The final element of a great skincare regimen is a daily moisturizer with SPF. Remember how important SPF is for daily skin protection; it makes sense to buy a moisturizer that offers both hydration and sun protection!

Check out some of our favorites for aging skin:

  • Lancome Absolue Premium Replenshing Cream with SPF 15
  • Clinique Super Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 20
  • Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47

Stop Smoking

Smoking has many detrimental effects on the skin, including dehydration and an increased risk for skin conditions like psoriasis.

Smoking actually decreases the blood supply to skin tissues, creating a more haggard and sunken appearance over time. It can also interfere with sleep patterns, decreasing the amount of skin-regenerating shut eye that smokers get.

Develop a Regimen and Stick to It

So you’ve quit smoking, you’ve taken your doctor’s advice and bought products that address your specific skin concerns.

What’s next?

It’s important to develop a regimen.

Have a routine and a coterie of products that you use at least once a day. Remember: the more you practice your routine, the easier and more natural it will become. Soon, you’ll know which product to apply when without even thinking about it! Also, paying attention to your skincare regimen will help you to remember to apply SPF each day.

Maybe you have trouble remembering your skincare regimen or need help applying each product each day. Not to worry!

There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. A homecare worker who knows your routine can help you maintain your skincare regimen and offer reminders for sunscreen, dermatologist appointments and more.

Our skin is a key source of pride and presentation in this world. With the right skincare regimen and habits in place, we can put our best, most confident face forward.

Contact Bluebird Homecare if you or someone you know is struggling with the activities of daily living and could use an extra hand around the house.