Taking Care of Your Skin After 50

Skincare, once you’ve reached 50 takes a lot more effort than it did in your 20s and 30s. You could splash some water and mild soap on your face, lotion up, apply a bit of lip gloss and be out the door feeling your best. But the increased dryness, dull appearance, rigid texture, and increased onset of fine lines and wrinkles take a lot more time and effort to resolve. 

The good news is that looking as young as you feel is possible. With a regular skincare routine and a few lifestyle changes, you can easily reverse or reduce the signs of aging for beautifully flawless skin every day. 

Drink More Water
Skin without hydration is dry, flaky, and tight. It also lacks essential vitamins and nutrients it needs to remain healthy and youthful. It is, therefore, imperative that you’re drinking enough water every day. As your body is made up of mostly water and is drained of moisture throughout the day, it is recommended that you drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water each day. Try adding fruit and keeping a water bottle with you at all times to get more in. 

Quit Smoking
Smoking cigarettes is detrimental to your skin and can even speed up the aging process. When you smoke it reduces the amount of oxygen flowing through your body and limits the nutrients the skin needs to remain healthy. Lack of oxygen and key vitamins, unfortunately, causes the skin to sag and wrinkle. Now, is a good a time as any to quit as smoking does more than damage your skin. There are several resources available from chewing gum to vape pens to help you quit for good. 

Get Active
Exercise isn’t just for strong muscles and healthy weight, it’s also great for your skin. When you work out, you’re sweating which automatically helps to flush toxins from the body that would essentially clog your pores (just be sure to wash up after a workout). Exercise also improves blood circulation which helps to give your skin a healthy glow. Lastly, it also reduces stress and improves sleep which is both risk factors to rapid signs of aging. 

Start incorporating more physical activity into your day. A 30-minute brisk walk or jog around the neighborhood, a quick session at a gym class, or even a fun physical activity like playing sports or swimming on a regular basis can give you younger-looking skin over time. 

Use Anti-Aging Products
When completing your morning and night skincare routine try using anti-aging products for enhanced results. Using a moisturizer, eye serum, cleanser, or exfoliant with anti-aging properties and healthy ingredients can get rid of fine lines, wrinkles, crows feet, age spots, and even complexion. 

Protect From Sun Damage
The sun’s ultraviolet rays might feel great on the skin but it can do serious damage without proper protection. Sun exposure can significantly increase the signs of aging which is why you should wear sunscreen. SPF protection is not just for the summer months. The sun is out all year long and can do damage at any time so be sure to apply it generously every day all year long. 

Get Your Beauty Sleep
They don’t call it beauty sleep for no reason. A good night’s sleep is imperative for the health of your skin. While you sleep the body replenishes and restores itself. When you’re not getting enough sleep, however, your body produces more of the stress hormone which increases inflammation, therefore, breaking down collagen and aging your skin. 

Try to get at least 7-9 hours of sleep every night. If you’re having trouble getting to sleep you can try improving your sleep environment by getting a better bed, comfortable linens, and light controlling window treatments. You can also develop a bedtime routine that helps you to relax and unwind before turning in. If this doesn’t work, it may be best to consult with your doctor to find out if there are any underlying issues you need to treat. 

There are a lot of internal and external factors that impact the look and health of your skin. Not to mention the natural process of aging. To keep your skin looking young in your 50s and beyond, you will need to dedicate more time and effort to your skincare routine while also making lifestyle changes. Keeping up with these habits on a regular basis will allow you to age gracefully.