The 7 Most Important Things Mature Skin Needs Every Day
Just like everything else in the world, your skin changes with time. Due to age, hormones, lifestyle and environment, you may notice your skin is a bit drier and duller now compared to when you were younger, and that’s OK. All you need is the basics done well to get that youthful glow back. Here are the seven most important things the skin needs as you get older.
1. Gentle Cleanser
Cleansing is an essential step in any skincare routine. Since your skin is more prone to irritation as you age, be sure you use a simple and gentle product. That means it can remove sunscreen, makeup and city dust without stripping away your skin’s natural oils that protect it. It’s also a good idea to avoid fragrance, as it can cause itching and dryness.
Once you find a good cleanser, pay attention to how you use it. The frequency depends on your lifestyle, but a good rule of thumb is only to wash your face once or twice a day and after sweating. Always rinse with lukewarm water, and pat dry with a soft towel. If your skin feels soft instead of tight and dry, you’ll know you’re on the right track.
2. Soothing Toner
Toner can restore your skin’s natural pH balance. Maintaining a healthy skin pH is important as you age because too low or too high can lead to irritation, dryness and flakiness. Plus, toners can help remove any residue that may still be on your skin after cleansing.
Not all toners are the same, though. It’s important to find one that’s alcohol-free and contains soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid can hydrate your skin and plump your fine lines. You’ll see it in many skincare ingredients for mature skin because hydration helps keep your skin firmer.
3. Hydrating Moisturiser
It’s easy to skip moisturiser — especially if you have various steps in your skincare routine — but it’s actually quite important. As you age, your skin tends to become drier, which can make it appear dull. So, find a well-formulated moisturiser that has humectants to draw water to your skin and occlusives to seal that moisture in. Some examples of humectants are hyaluronic acid, glycerin and aloe vera.
Your moisturiser may also contain active ingredients like peptides to target a specific issue. This ingredient improves the skin barrier and stimulates your skin to produce more collagen, making it appear plumper and younger-looking.
4. SPF Daily
If there’s one thing you absolutely can’t skip in your skincare routine, it would be sunscreen. The sun’s UV light can cause uneven skin tone and wrinkles. These changes happen quietly over time, which explains why people think nothing is happening until the signs appear all at once.
There are two types of sunscreens available — chemical and physical. As its name suggests, chemical sunscreen uses chemical ingredients that absorb the UV rays. On the other hand, physical sunscreen contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the main ingredient, which sits on your skin’s surface to shield it from harm.
Both types of sunscreens provide plenty of protection against the sun. However, physical sunscreens are gentler and typically don’t clog pores, so they may be better for sensitive skin.
5. Serums
If you want to target specific concerns, consider adding a serum to your skincare routine. They’re lightweight and consist of a concentrated dose of active ingredients, and they can absorb deeply into your skin. What should you look for?
Retinol is the most popular active ingredient in anti-ageing skincare. Known to be highly effective at keeping signs of ageing at bay, people go so far as to call it the fountain of youth. It minimises the appearance of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, photoaging and rough skin texture.
Vitamin C is another popular active ingredient. It provides many benefits for dry and wrinkled skin, leaving you looking more radiant and youthful.
Be careful when using active ingredients, though. For example, retinol and vitamin C can irritate if they’re used at the same time. When you want to have both in your skincare routine, you can use one in the morning and the other at night.
6. Chemical Exfoliator
Your skin’s ability to shed dead skin cells slows down as you get older. As a result, your complexion may not be as glowing as it used to be. A great way to combat this is to introduce a chemical exfoliator like alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) and beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) to your routine. These two ingredients work by breaking down dead skin cells on the surface of your skin.
Chemical exfoliators are considered kinder than face scrubs, but you still want to introduce them slowly. Remember that mature skin can be easily irritated, so if you’re not careful, you may end up damaging your skin barrier instead of achieving that youthful glow.
7. Eye Cream
Many in the beauty community debate whether eye creams actually work. But since face serums and moisturisers can be too harsh for the thinner skin under your eyes, they may be worth investing in.
Eye creams are specifically formulated to address issues around the eye to help you avoid problems like redness and swelling. Although they’re not absolutely necessary, getting the right one can make a huge difference. For example, if you have puffy eyes and dark circles, eye creams containing caffeine and vitamin K can help your skin appear brighter and more well-rested.
Be Consistent and Don’t Overcomplicate It
Decades of advertisements may lead you to believe that you need complicated routines or trendy tools to maintain your aging skin. However, the truth is that you only need to perfect all the essentials.
Be more intentional with the ingredients you choose and the way you use them, and your skin will thank you. Don’t forget to add healthy lifestyle habits, too. Get a good night’s sleep, drink enough water and exercise regularly, and you’ll get that healthy glow you remembered.
