Sensitive Skin Care for Beauty over 50

Most people think that they need some expensive elixir to look young and have healthy skin when they reach their 50s. They expect to wear wrinkles and fine lines with pride. Some might have another idea, especially since it's quite easy to have youthful-looking skin even as the years go by.

 

Caring for aging and sensitive skins is all a matter of healthy decisions. It includes sleeping longer, eating better, and having the best beauty products with natural and organic ingredients in your arsenal.

 

How exactly do you have beautiful skin at 50? First, let's find out what aging skin and sensitive skin needs. And what products are necessary to look 30-ish when you're actually a quinquagenarian.

 

Caring for Aging Skin

 

As you grow older, the dermis and epidermis become thinner, and you may even lose the fat layer underneath your skin. When these layers decrease in volume, your skin becomes less elastic, according to the MSD Manuals published by Merck and Co.

 

What's more, your skin produces less sebum and other essential oils, which makes it noticeably drier. Your skin will also have fewer blood vessels and sweat glands, and these result in impairment in the way your skin battles heat exposure.

 

Further, your skin will have fewer melanocytes that protect it from ultraviolet radiation. This condition makes you more susceptible to sun damage. Another change in your skin that you can expect as you age is that it will have fewer nerve ending, and that can mean that sensations will be dulled over time.

 

Overall, these changes mean that your skin will be easily damaged and can heal slower as you age.

 

Effects of Sun Damage on Your Skin

 

When we are younger, doctors and dermatologists sometimes recommend sun exposure. Sunlight can help your body produce vitamin D, and this nutrient helps in preventing and controlling psoriasis and other skin diseases.

 

However, too much sun can lead to damage. This damage can result in a wide variety of skin problems such as:

 

• Sunburn
• Aging skin, or photoaging
• Actinic keratoses, or precancerous growth that may appear reddish or pinkish scales or rough and gritty brown or light gray growth
• Skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, or basal cell carcinoma
• Photosensitivity reactions, or when your immune system reacts to sunlight causing itchy breakouts, inflammation, or redness

 

What Can You Do?

 

The National Institutes on Aging recommends that you:

 

• Avoid the sun at its peak. You should not be out when the sun's rays are at its peak, which means that you should stay indoors from 10 am to 4 pm. Limiting your exposure to the sun is vital in controlling sun damage. Remember that sunlight can pass through clouds, and can be more damaging when you're swimming.

 

• Wear sunscreen. Using sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher is recommended if you have to go out into the sun. Be sure to choose sunscreens that are broad-spectrum or those that can protect you from both ultraviolet-A and UV-B light.

 

• Wear protective clothing. Aside from sunscreen, you might want to wear protective clothing when you go outside. Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face. Or wear sunglasses that can protect your eyes from 99 to 100 percent of the rays. Also consider wearing clothing that is lightweight ad can cover most parts of your body, Long-sleeve blouses, skirts, or pants might be an excellent getup. You should choose clothing that is comfortable and loose.

 

• Say no to tanning. Tanning bed, sunlamps, and tanning pills are a no-no for aging skin.

 

Managing Sensitive Skin

 

Sensitive skin can mean a lot of things to different people, and experts have yet to agree on what it is exactly. Overall, however, it refers to skin that is more likely to have adverse reactions to substances and inflammation.

 

People with sensitive skin often report itching, burning, or stinging sensations. It's caused by a lot of things, including skin barrier impairment, climate changes, and harsh chemicals in cosmetics. According to this study, other people exhibit rashes, dryness, and erythema, and other skin issues.

 

When dealing with sensitive skin, there are some options for you to remedy it. For one, your doctor can prescribe steroid creams that can help with the itchiness and the inflammation. There are also numbing creams, which can lessen the itchiness.

 

Antihistamines are excellent for handling allergic reactions. And yes, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is also recommended.

 

Some people also use moisturizers for their sensitive skin. Hypoallergenic lotions and moisturizers can help lessen the dryness without irritating your skin. Lactic acid, urea, and other similar ingredients are excellent for managing excessively dry skin.

Coconut oil, shea butter, and other simple oils can also be used for sensitive skin. Whatever you decide to try, be sure to test it first on a small patch of skin to see if there are any adverse reactions.

 

Others use oatmeal to manage sensitive skin. Colloidal oatmeal can lessen the appearance of eczema, dry skin, rashes, and other symptoms.

 

Other Things You Can Try to Deal with Sensitive Skin

 

Because sensitive skin can be a bit difficult to diagnose and sometimes even the most innocuous things can cause a breakout, you must keep a log of products that you use. This will help you identify possible triggers.

 

Once you have identified the triggers, you can stop using these products. You can also have a dermatologist determine if you're allergic to the chemicals in these products.

 

You can also take short showers with warm water. Avoid using harsh chemicals, detergents, or fragrances. When you have sensitive skin, hypoallergenic products are your best friend.

 

Possible Causes of Sensitive Skin

 

There are a lot of possible causes when you have sensitive skin. Some people may have skin that is easily irritated after exposure to heavy winds, extreme temperatures, and sunlight.

 

Or it might be due to your skin's reaction to skincare products, clothing, or makeup. Further, there are times when you're allergic to different substances, including nickel, latex, dyes, chemicals, and even plants such as poison oak or stinging nettle.

 

Sensitive Skin Care for Beauty Over 50

 

With aging and sensitive skin, you need extra care and protection to keep skin problems at bay. Here's what your beauty regimen should include:

 

Sunscreen

 

You will need to protect your skin from the harmful sun's rays. Buy a broad-spectrum product that can protect you from UVA and UVB rays, which can damage your skin and cause inflammation, wrinkles, sunburn, and age spots.

 

You should also choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or more. At this protection level, the sunscreen keeps around 97 percent of UVB light from even reaching your skin.

 

People with sensitive skin should also make sure that they choose a mineral or physical sunscreen that has titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These ingredients stay on top of the skin and protect it with a physical barrier.

 

How much sunscreen should you apply? On your face, a nickel-sized dollop will be a good quantity of sunscreen. Apply this much sunscreen to your whole face around 30 minutes before going out and reapply every two hours.

 

For other areas, you should apply a shot glass full of sunscreen from your legs, arms, leg, nape, hands, and other places where your skin is exposed.

 

Moisturizers

 

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should use a moisturizer daily. In fact, the AAD says that you should have moisturizers and sunscreen if these are the only two products you buy for your skin.

 

You should choose an anti-aging moisturizer that can help erase fine lines and wrinkles, as these products can trap water in our skin. The AAD also recommends using different products for your face, body, and lips, which means you should have a facial moisturizer, lip balm, and body moisturizer ready.

 

Moisturizer Ingredients That You Should Look for

 

When choosing a moisturizer, buy one that is formulated for your skin type. And be sure to read the label to see what ingredients are being used and whether it can help your skin stay firm, young-looking, and flawless.

 

What are the ingredients you should be looking for?

 

Squalane

 

Squalane is a hydrogenated form of squalene, which is a natural moisturizer that our bodies produce. Unfortunately, as we grow older, squalene production slows down, resulting in rougher and drier skin.

 

Topical applications of squalane can boost your skin's hydration. According to research, squalane can also detoxify and moisturize your skin. It also has anti-cancer and antioxidant properties.

 

Squalane can also increase collagen production, which makes your skin firmer. And because it has anti-inflammatory properties, it can help with skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, acne, and dermatitis.

 

Sea Buckthorn

 

Sea buckthorn, when applied directly to the skin, may help in regenerating skin cells and speed up the healing of wounds. It can also protect your skin from sun damage and lessen the inflammation due to UV exposure.

 

It can even make your skin more elastic and firm, while the omega-7 and omega-3 in this ingredient can help moisturize your skin.

 

Licorice Root

 

If you have sensitive skin, licorice root can help reduce the redness and inflammation with its antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. It can also help with eczema and acne.

 

Licorice root can also even out and brighten your skin tone.

 

Bayberry

 

Bayberries can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines because of the antioxidants that it has. It can protect your skin from oxidative stress caused by UV rays, lessen melanogenesis, and fight skin damage. Bayberry improves cell viability and keeps your skin looking young.

 

The good news is that you don't have to get different products to get all these moisturizing ingredients that are fit for sensitive skin. The Piper Berry Adaptogens Superfruits Moisturizer has all of these ingredients plus other emulsifying and protective components such as palm oil, grapeseed oil, blueberry, raspberry, and others.

 

With non-toxic ingredients, this moisturizer and primer help keep your skin looking young while you avoid harsh chemicals to protect your sensitive and aging skin.

 

Cleanser

 

Along with moisturizing, you should also keep your skin clear and clean. The AAD recommends washing your face with a mild cleanser and warm water twice a day. Do not scrub your skin, though.

 

The Piper Berry Kale Protein Cleanser cleans your skin, while also repairing and protect it. The kale protein plies your skin with antioxidants such as vitamins A and C that can fight the free radicals that can damage your skin.

 

It also has carrot protein that gives your skin the beta-carotene and more vitamins it needs to make the skin's lipid barrier stronger. Meanwhile, cucumber fruit extract hydrates and nourishes your skin.  

 

The aloe vera leaf juice also helps your sensitive skin as it calms and soothes while lessening the inflammation.

 

Facial Masks

 

Facial masks, according to this page, can ply your skin with nutrients and the ingredients you need to keep it healthy. Because you put it on for around 10 to 20 minutes, your skin has more time to absorb these beneficial ingredients so that they can work their magic.

 

As such, facial masks are great for those days when you have worse looking skin than normal. Or if you have had a particularly rough week and the stress is showing on your face.

 

Choosing a facial mask to address specific problems will help. For instance, a mask that has vitamin C and vitamin E can help plump your skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

 

Aside from knowing what skin concern you're targeting, a mask also comes in different types, such as clay, mud, charcoal, gel, cream, and others.

 

A product like the Piper Berry Adaptogens Superfruits Mask will have kaolin clay, which is the mildest type of clay you can use on your skin, according to this SkinCare.com article.

 

On top of the beneficial ingredients that the mask has, such as bayberries, aloe vera extract, a wide range of oils, vegetables, and fruit extracts, kaolin clay also has its own benefits. It helps your skin avoid excess oil and helps you manage acne.

 

Other Things to Remember When Choosing a Moisturizer, Sunscreen, and Other Products

 

The AAD has some more tips that can help you choose the best anti-aging product for your sensitive skin.

 

When choosing different products for your sensitive skin when you're in your 50s, it is very important to read the label. You should know what it contains to make sure that it doesn't have an ingredient that you're allergic to, or it doesn't have harsh chemicals.

 

You might want to choose something vegan or organic, with all-natural ingredients to lessen the chances that you'd apply something dangerous to your face. If you find it difficult to pronounce an ingredient's name, such as hydroquinone or sodium lauryl sulfate, you might think twice about putting it on your skin.

 

Buy products that have these features:

 

• Hypoallergenic, which means there is less risk of the product causing an allergic reaction
• Non-comedogenic, or doesn't cause acne
• Consumer hotline, which will come in handy if you have questions

 

Focus on One Problem First and Level Your Expectations

 

After using a moisturizer and sunscreen for a few weeks, you should see improvements on your skin. Check to see if there are signs of aging that are making you uncomfortable.

 

There is no single product that can effectively handle all signs of skin aging. So if your wrinkles bother you the most, then you should choose products that target that problem first.

 

You might also think twice about using two or more anti-aging products simultaneously, as this can irritate your skin and make your problems worse. Further, don't fall for marketing exaggerations. 

 

No product can make you look 20 years younger in a week or reverse all the signs of skin aging. Remember, a cream or lotion will never give you the same results as a facelift or cosmetic surgery.

 

Lastly, you shouldn't think that a product has to be very expensive to be effective. You don't need to spend $100 on a tub of cream. There are affordable skincare products that are within your budget.

 

Quit Smoking

 

If you smoke, then you should kick the habit now. Tobacco in cigarettes has toxins that can make your complexion dull and dry. It can also lead to sagging skin, wrinkles, and premature lines.

 

You might also develop leathery skin because of the hazardous compounds found in tobacco.

 

Eat Healthily

 

Fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and lean meat are what you should be eating for flawless and clear skin.

 

Get at Least Seven Hours of Sleep at Night

 

Get that beauty rest, and see your skin come alive! Not getting enough sleep is making your eyelids look droopy, your eyes swelled with dark circles underneath, and your skin paler. It can also because of more pronounced fine lines and wrinkles, paler skin, and droopiness at the corners of your mouth.

 

This study also shows that your skin ages a whole lot faster when you lack sleep or if you sleep poorly. It also makes it more vulnerable to environmental stressors. Even you can tell, as most people are less satisfied with how their skin looks when they've been up too long.

 

So get that valuable seven to nine hours of shuteye!

 

Get That Youthful-Looking Skin at 50

 

Having beautiful skin even as we grow older is not as difficult as most people might think. Eating healthily, getting enough sleep, and quitting bad habits gives you a strong start. But having the right kinds of products to help care for your skin will seal the deal.