Mature skin. The term conjures up images of wrinkled, tired-looking skin–but it need not be that way!
Aging usually brings a gradual decline of your skin’s fitness. Besides wrinkles, your skin sometimes loses fat, becomes thinner, and no longer looks smooth and plump like it once did. Fortunately, you can take several key measures to minimize the lines and wrinkles. Here are fifteen mature skin tips to help reduce wrinkles.
Can you turn back the aging clock?
Can you turn back the aging clock? Maybe. Aging skin cells become altered and don’t function as well. But a group of researchers from Babraham University, Cambridge, United Kingdom, has found a way to turn back the clock of human skin cells by thirty years. The researchers restored the function of older cells while rejuvenating the molecular structure of the biological age. Even though it’s still in the exploration stage, scientists are excited about the potential of these findings.
What changes occur in mature skin?
As you age, your skin changes. Here are some changes that occur in mature skin.
- Dry skin: You may experience dry spots on your legs, elbows, and arms. The dry areas might look scaly and rough. Of course, your dry skin might indicate you need to change your soap or stop taking hot baths. However, dry skin can also signify a health problem like hypothyroidism, diabetes, or kidney disease. Check with your doctor if your skin is dehydrated and itchy to rule out health problems.
- Wrinkles: Where did those wrinkles come from? Ultraviolet rays (UVA) from the sun and your environment make your skin less elastic. Gravity also causes your skin to wrinkle and sag.
- Age spots: Age spots are brown spots caused by exposure to the sun. They show up on your arms, hands, face, and back. Using sunscreen can help protect you against both UVA rays.
- Skin tags: These are flesh-colored growths of skin with a raised surface. They’re common in women as they age. You get them on your neck, eyelids, and body folds like your armpits, groin area, and chest.
- Skin cancer: Mature skin is susceptible to skin cancer. The most common cause of skin cancer is sun exposure, tanning booths, or sunlamps. However, early detection makes skin cancer treatable.
Fifteen mature skin tips to improve wrinkles
Try these tips to decrease the signs of aging, especially on your face and neck.
1. Protect yourself from the sun
Sun damage is the leading cause of early wrinkles. Using sunscreen regularly can slow down the signs of lines and wrinkles. Be sure your sunscreen is at least 30 SPF. Even if it’s overcast outside, your skin still receives UVA rays. Wearing a hat plus sunglasses will protect you from the sun.
2. Stop smoking
Nicotine causes your blood vessels to constrict, reducing the blood flow and causing your skin to lack oxygen. Tobacco damages the elasticity of your skin. Even the heat from a cigarette will cause wrinkles. Plus, when you purse your lips, it causes wrinkles around your mouth. People who smoke generally look older than those who don’t smoke.
3. Coconut oil
Coconut oil comes from a coconut tree’s palm and kernel parts. Besides cooking applications, coconut oil is an effective skin moisturizer. It’s a great moisturizer with anti-inflammatory properties to help heal. Coconut oil also helps your skin produce collagen. Collagen keeps your skin firm and youthful-looking. In addition, keeping your face moisturized with coconut oil helps rid your face of wrinkles and lines.
4. Eat your carrots
Eat more beta-carotene-rich vegetables and fruits to reduce your wrinkles. Beta carotene gives fruits and vegetables their yellowish orange color. This pigment turns into vitamin A in your body, which improves your eye health and builds your immune system. In addition, it’s a powerful antioxidant that protects your body from free radicals that cause damage to tissue and organs. Beta carotene is good for your skin because it rejuvenates and provides antioxidants to improve it.
5. Moisturize mature skin daily
Use moisturizers, creams, or lotions daily to keep your skin moist. Moisturizers help your skin stay hydrated and nourished. However, mature skin gets dry, which causes wrinkles to appear. Choose a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid to prevent wrinkles from forming and getting deeper.
6. Chemical peels refine the texture of mature skin
Chemical peels are effective ways to remove imperfections from your skin. They remove the top layers of your skin, allowing your new healthy skin to grow. Chemical peels are good for reducing wrinkles, scars, and skin discoloration. You can get a chemical peel at your dermatologist or at home. Doing one at home often uses the same ingredients for a fraction of the cost. What are the best chemical peels you can use at home?
7. Retinoids
Retinoids help regenerate your skin. First, check the potency of the retinoid you’re using to be sure it’s strong enough. A percentage of 0.01% is strong enough to reduce your pores and improve the glow of your skin. You can use it every other day for it to be effective.
8. Drink lots of water
Consume water to reduce wrinkles and lines. Water flushes out toxins, aids digestion, and helps your body and skin stay hydrated from the inside. In addition, water improves your skin elasticity and repairs tissue damage. Generally, men should drink around 15.5 cups of fluids daily, and women should consume approximately 11.5 cups of fluids daily.
9. Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet helps you maintain weight, energy, and disease prevention, but eating healthy also determines how your skin ages. Researchers say that eating lots of red meat and processed foods cause facial wrinkles, particularly in women. Eating foods that have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits improves your skin’s elasticity and protects you from premature aging. Eating these quality foods can help you avoid facial wrinkles and lines.
- Orange vegetables and fruits
- Olive oil
- Salmon
- Avocado
- Flax seeds
- Pomegranates
10. Pose like a model
Have you noticed how models don’t smile? Instead, they pose with a rested face without frowning, squinting, or pursing their lips. These facial expressions cause wrinkles and lines. If you find yourself squinting or frowning, try to rest your face. Wear sunglasses to avoid squinting in the sun. If you squint because you can’t see, get a new prescription or try contacts.
11. Take collagen
Studies show that topical and oral collagen supplements help delay aging. Collagen supplements improve the elasticity and hydration of your skin. Collagen also smoothes and reduces wrinkles in your skin. Premenopausal women need collagen more than younger women because menopause causes your body to stop producing collagen.
There are many collagen peptide powders available. Add one or two teaspoons of collagen powder to your morning coffee or a glass of cold water daily. You’ll see improvements in your skin right immediately.
12. Topical vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It helps create collagen in your skin. This nutrient occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables. Applying topical vitamin C improves your skin’s appearance and removes fine lines and wrinkles caused by sun damage. Topical vitamin C comes in lotions, serums, and creams. If you’re looking for topical vitamin C serum, look for
- A good color: the serum or cream should be champagne color. It shouldn’t be cloudy or dark.
- No smell: Vitamin C serum shouldn’t smell sour. If it does, it’s not good.
13. Zinc and selenium
Zinc and selenium are two essential minerals to help keep your skin looking smooth and wrinkle-free. In addition, zinc promotes healing from sun damage. However, it’s best not to take zinc and selenium supplements because too much can harm your health. Instead, eat foods with zinc and selenium.
Foods high in zinc include:
- Almonds
- Bananas
- Beans
- Cheese
- Oatmeal
- Oysters
- Peas
Eat foods with selenium, such as:
- Eggs
- Brazil nuts
- Organ meats
- Sunflower seeds
- Seafood
- Spinach
- Oatmeal
- Yogurt
14. Eat yogurt
Yogurt includes probiotics that are good for the gut and your skin. Yogurt may help decrease wrinkles and improve the health of your skin. It’s thought that applying probiotics to your skin may increase the strength of your skin and help fight damage from things like UVA rays from the sun. Be sure to eat yogurt that doesn’t contain sugar. Instead, purchase plain yogurt and add fresh fruit, nuts, or granola for added flavor.
15. Get your beautifying sleep
As you sleep, your body increases blood to your skin, helping you wake up with glowing, well-rested-looking skin. When you’re getting enough sleep, your complexion looks drab. Try to get up to seven to eight hours of sleep to feel and look your best. Some people swear that a silk pillowcase helps their skin have fewer wrinkles.
Final thoughts on keeping mature skin healthier and decreasing the appearance of wrinkles
Mature skin needs extra loving care to avoid lines and wrinkles. As you age, your collagen levels decrease, causing your skin to lose its elasticity. As a result, it may become rough, dry, and tired. These fifteen tips help keep your skin plump and smooth as you age.