Friday Health & Wellness

Your Skin Changes As We Age

How We Can Help Ourselves

I was thinking about this topic this week because I noticed something about my own skin.

It is definitely getting drier.

And if I don’t moisturize my body every day, eventually I start itching.

Nothing dramatic happened. I simply noticed another change in my body and thought, Okay, this is something I need to pay more attention to now.

That is one of the interesting things about aging.

Our bodies keep communicating with us.

Sometimes loudly.

Sometimes quietly.

And sometimes through something as simple as dry, itchy skin.

As we age, our skin naturally changes. It tends to become thinner and drier, and it does not hold moisture as easily as it once did. The National Institute on Aging specifically lists dry, itchy skin as a common concern as we grow older and recommends daily moisturizing along with gentle bathing habits. (National Institute on Aging)

The American Academy of Dermatology also explains that skin in our 60s and 70s becomes drier and more easily irritated, which means some of the things we did when we were younger may no longer work as well for our skin today. (American Academy of Dermatology)

That means I need to change with my skin.

Moisturizing Can’t Be an Afterthought

This is probably the biggest lesson my skin is teaching me right now.

If I moisturize regularly, my skin feels better.

If I don’t?

Here comes the itching. 😂

My youngest daughter makes a homemade whipped moisturizer with shea butter and cocoa butter, and I love it. It is thick, creamy, and feels wonderful on my skin.

I am already thinking, Girl, I’m going to need to place another order soon. 😂

And interestingly, dermatologists do recommend thicker creams and ointments for very dry skin because they generally hold moisture better than thinner lotions. Shea butter is also one of the moisturizing ingredients the American Academy of Dermatology lists as helpful for dry skin. (American Academy of Dermatology)

Whatever moisturizer we choose, consistency seems to be one of the biggest keys.

Moisturize While Your Skin Is Still Damp

This is one habit I think many of us can easily add.

After a shower or bath, gently pat the skin instead of rubbing it completely dry and then apply moisturizer while some moisture is still on the skin.

That helps trap some of that water before it evaporates.

And honestly, sometimes the simplest changes are the ones that make the biggest difference.

Turn Down That Hot Water

Now this one may hurt some feelings. 😂

A steaming-hot shower may feel wonderful, especially on a cold morning or when our bodies ache.

But hot water can strip away some of the skin’s natural oils and make dryness worse. Dermatologists and the National Institute on Aging recommend warm rather than hot water for aging or dry skin. (American Academy of Dermatology)

That doesn’t mean we need to take a cold shower.

No thank you. 😂

Just maybe not boil ourselves like a lobster.

Be Gentle With Your Skin

Our skin may become more fragile as we age, so this probably isn’t the season for aggressively scrubbing ourselves from head to toe.

Gentle cleansers can help.

Soft washcloths can help.

Patting instead of rubbing can help.

And fragrance-free products may be better for people whose skin becomes increasingly sensitive or irritated. The American Academy of Dermatology specifically recommends gentle, fragrance-free cleansing products for older skin. (American Academy of Dermatology)

Look At What Is In Your Moisturizer

We don’t need to become cosmetic chemists.

But there are a few ingredients worth recognizing.

Glycerin and hyaluronic acid help attract and hold water in the skin, while ceramides can help support the skin barrier. Dermatologists commonly recommend these ingredients for dry skin. (American Academy of Dermatology)

That doesn’t mean we need an expensive cabinet full of products either.

Sometimes a good basic moisturizer used consistently is worth more than ten fancy jars we barely touch.

Don’t Forget Sun Protection

We often think about sunscreen when we are younger because we don’t want wrinkles.

But sun protection becomes even more important as we age because years of ultraviolet exposure add up.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 when protecting exposed skin from the sun. (American Academy of Dermatology)

And sunscreen isn’t only about appearance.

It is about protecting our skin health.

Pay Attention To Changes

This is one I think becomes more important with age.

We should actually look at our skin.

Notice a new spot.

Notice something that changes color, shape, or size.

Notice a wound that isn’t healing.

Notice persistent itching, cracking, bleeding, or irritation.

The National Institute on Aging recommends checking our skin regularly for changes. (National Institute on Aging)

Moisturizer can help ordinary dryness.

But not every skin problem is simply dry skin.

Sometimes something needs to be looked at by a healthcare professional.

Aging Means Adjusting

I think that may be my biggest takeaway.

What worked for our skin at 30 may not be what it needs at 50, 60, 70, or beyond.

And that isn’t necessarily something to be upset about.

It is something to respond to.

My skin is telling me:

Girl, you cannot skip the moisturizer anymore. 😂

Message received.

So now moisturizing my body isn’t just something I do when I remember.

It is becoming part of caring for the body I have today.

Drink my water.

Be gentle with my skin.

Use warm instead of extremely hot water.

Moisturize regularly.

Protect myself from too much sun.

And pay attention when something changes.

Because healthy aging isn’t about trying to make ourselves look 25 forever.

It is about learning what our bodies need at every stage and caring for ourselves accordingly.

And apparently, at this stage of my life, mine would also like another container of my daughter’s whipped shea and cocoa butter.

I’ll be placing that order soon. 😂🌻

Lady Flava Wellness 🌻