Younger folks often have a good skincare routine. My daughter and nieces have all mentioned skincare at one time or another. In fact, they have inspired me to become more diligent about it myself.
As we age, our skin becomes thinner and doesn’t retain water as easily. Additional skin changes include:
- Dryness
- Itchiness
- Age spots, wrinkles and creases
- Irritated more easily
You don’t need an elaborate skincare routine to address aging skin. Here is a basic skincare routine that is easy and gentle on your skin.
- Wash your face: use warm water (not hot water).
- Use a mild cleanser: a cleanser helps clean your skin. Only use the cleanser on wet skin, not dry skin. Avoid using harsh soaps or alcohol-based products. Instead, look for cleansers that have moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and lanolin.
- Moisturize: look for a fragrance-free moisturizer to avoid irritating your skin.
- Apply sunscreen: it helps prevent new sunspots and blotchy skin. It also helps reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.
It’s important to note that everyone’s skin is different. When trying new products, always do a test patch on your inner elbow to make sure you don’t have a reaction. If you have extremely dry skin, consider visiting your local healthcare professional or seeing a dermatologist.
By Diane Alavie, BSc. Phm.
