How to Care for Ageing Skin

Skincare routine to avoid wrinkles, stay hydrated and reduce damage.

As you age, your skin will change. This can be more obvious during the hormonal imbalances of menopause. Fortunately, the right skincare can help with common menopausal skin changes like thinning skin, dryness and wrinkles.

1. Aging Skin
   As you age, your skin will change its structure, feel and appearance. The most common sign of aging skin is wrinkles. Wrinkles are caused by the fat in deeper layers of skin diminishing, and the slowing production of natural oils.
   While wrinkles are a completely natural part of growing older, there are external factors that can cause them to appear worse.
   
   
2. How to Prevent the Appearance of Early Wrinkles
   A few lifestyle changes can help minimize wrinkles.
   
   Stop Smoking – Smoking can cause skin to age quicker. You are more likely to get wrinkles on your face, especially around the eyes and mouth. This is because nicotine can cause your blood vessels to narrow, slowing the blood flow to your skin and denying your skin of vital nutrients and oxygen as a result. Stopping smoking can help prevent further damage to your skin.
   
   Minimize Exposure to UV Light – UV light is one of the main causes of early wrinkling. This is because UV light breaks down the collagen and elastin fibers that make up your skin’s connective tissue. Without the support of the connective tissue, skin will sag and wrinkle early on. Reducing exposure to UV light such as tanning beds can help reduce further damage. You should also apply sunscreen even if you aren’t outdoors, as UV rays can pass through windows. Opt for an SPF of at least 15.
   
   Moisturize Your Skin – It’s not just the skin on your face that shows the signs of aging. As you begin menopause, the rest of your skin can become drier, causing itching and peeling. Moisturizing your skin with Vaseline® Mature Skin Rejuvenation Lotion can help keep it soft and smooth.
   
   
3. Anti-aging Skincare Routine
   As your skin changes, make sure your skincare routine does too. Often, this will mean adding new products that can combat dry skin and the appearance of wrinkles.
   
   Adopt a Skin-friendly Diet – Vitamin A is an antioxidant, which means it helps to prevent free radicals from breaking down skin cells and causing wrinkling. Foods rich in vitamin A include eggs, carrots, yellow vegetables and dairy products. Vitamin C is also beneficial as it can protect the skin from sun damage. Be sure to include vitamin C-rich foods like strawberries, red pepper and broccoli in your diet.
   
   Focus on Skin Under the Eyes – The skin around our eyes is delicate so it’s more prone to wrinkles. Mature women often notice dark circles under the eyes, caused by loss of fat and collagen. When applying cream to your eye area, try and be gentle so as not to damage the thin skin.
   
   Use Gentle Cleansers – Stay clear of soap-based cleansers as they can irritate and dry the skin. Gentle cleansers won’t wash away natural oils so they prevent your skin from drying out further. Due to fluctuating hormone levels, adult acne is common during the menopause. Cleaning dirt and impurities from your skin daily will help combat breakouts.
   
   
4. Adapting to Your Aging Skin
   Caring for your skin from early on pays dividends in the long run. Small changes like protecting your skin from UV rays and stopping smoking can help to improve your skin and minimize further damage.
   
   Expert Advice
   The advice in this article does not constitute medical advice, it is solely available for information purposes.