Looking after ourselves and our skin over 70 is important, and something most of us do. But as we grow older, our needs change and our skin starts to work a little differently. That harsh hand-wash and simple moisturiser might not work for us anymore, but it’s never too late to start changing up your routine and taking care of your skin!
It’s only natural that our skin changes as we age. It becomes thinner, drier, and generally starts to show signs of being out in the sun. You may also notice that you bruise easier, and cuts take longer to heal. This is due to reduce fat under the skin which protects the blood vessels from injury. All these changes are completely normal, but it doesn’t mean we have to give up and stop looking after our skin. You may already have a routine in place, but this might be targeted to how your skin used to behave rather than how it behaves now. Never fear, we have put together a simple list of ways you can take care of your skin over 70.
Sun protection
Perhaps the most important thing you can do for your skin at any age is apply sunscreen. When looking after your skin over 70, it plays an even more important part. Sun damage is the number one cause of age spots, wrinkles, and marks on our skin. A sunscreen of an SPF of 15 or higher should be applied every single day. Even if you are spending the day inside, you can still damage your skin by exposing it to sunlight from windows! It’s important to also apply this sunscreen over our neck, chest, and hands as well as face. These areas are some of the first to show signs of excess sun exposure.
When leaving the house, it’s also best practice to wear a hat when possible. As our skin becomes more sensitive as we age, using as much sun protection as possible is key. Sunglasses are also important since our eyes become sensitive through the years, especially when we are over the age of 70.
Hand and skin care
Our skin naturally becomes drier over the years. While you may have been prone to oily skin previously, chances are this is no longer the case- and you might have not even been aware of it. While we immediately think of our face when talking of dry skin, this can affect our whole body. There are multiple ways you can combat this, including:
Gloves
Try to wear gloves when cleaning and washing dishes. Your skin may not be as tolerant to chemicals and soaps as it used to be. These can excessively dry out our skin and cause damage.
Hand cream
Hand cream can be a saviour for our hands, especially for those over 70. Our skin doesn’t have the same ability to retain moisture, so it’s important to put that back when we can. Hands are one of the most hard-worked parts of our body, and it’s important to take care of them. Some hand creams also include SPF, which is great if you’re using it during the day.
Body moisturiser
Similarly to our hands and face, our body can’t retain moisture in the same way when we get older. If you used to use a thinner body moisturiser, try opting for something thicker like a body butter and see how it goes. You should notice a difference in the tightness of our skin, and any itching from dryness should be greatly reduced. Try to opt for one that doesn’t have any scent, as this can be irritating to dryer skin.
Hydration
Making sure you are drinking plenty of water is key to maintaining your bodies hydration and elasticity in your skin. Our bodies need water and hydration in order to maintain stretch in our skin and combat things like wrinkles and lines. While these are mostly unavoidable (and totally normal!), lack of hydration can make them more prominent. It’s recommended that an adult consumes between 6-8 glasses of water a day, even more if you feel like you need it.
Getting older is an unavoidable process, but it doesn’t mean that we need to stop taking care of ourselves! Looking after your skin through hydration, sun protection, and moisturising should be a key part of your daily routine. While the specifics of these needs can change when we are over 70, it doesn’t mean it’s too late to try a new routine and adjust to our body’s new needs.
