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How to Deal With Dry and Mature Skin

As we grow older, one of the first areas to show aging is our skin, the largest organ of the human body. It is therefore understandable why so many of us dread aging and the toll it takes on our skin. Mature skin thins and eye wrinkles become more noticeable; the skin becomes drier, more sensitive and harder to maintain hydrated; age spots and hyper pigmentation appear; gravity causes it to sag; and skin growths form.



A major issue in caring for mature skin is increased sensitivity and dryness. How do we avoid products that irritate the skin, while still fully hydrating and reinvigorating it? We must not stubbornly stick to the dry skin care routines we utilized when we, and our skin, were young. We must adapt our lifestyle habits to better treat the changing needs of our skin.



Mature Skin Care Suggestions



1. Dermatologists advise that you bathe daily to provide moisture to your skin. It is, however, very important that the bath or shower is kept brief, otherwise you will encounter further drying of the skin. Hot water should be avoided as it strips the natural oils that guard moisture from the skin. Additional tips to keep in mind involving the shower include: close the door to keep in the humidity, use only mild cleaners (no alcohol-based products or those including fragrances), pat skin dry gently and apply a moisturizer immediately after bathing to keep the moisture of the shower in the skin.



2. Moisturize habitually. Contrary to popular thought, moisturizers don't actually put moisture into the skin, but help it guard the existing water already found in it. It is very important, for this reason, to apply moisturizer within the first few minutes of ending a shower. Combination showering and moisturizing will help mature, prone to drying skin from losing all of its moisture.



3. Choose sensitive skin lotions and moisturizers carefully. Look for those moisturizers specially made to relieve dry, sensitive skin. Ointments and creams tend to be more hydrating and often are less irritating to dry, sensitive skin. Be thorough when reviewing ingredients in potential products. Lactic acid and urea are strong severe dry skin moisturizers. Another good ingredient to look for is hyaluronic acid, which is found naturally in the skin (but decreases over time with age) that helps the skin retain moisture. Also, be sure to avoid fragrances, deodorant soaps or alcohol-based toners.



4. Be careful with anti-aging products. Even though retinoids and alpha-hydroxy acid might do wonders for mature skin, they can be quite irritating to sensitive or dry skin.



5. Pay special attention to areas that dry out easily. Dry skin can make the fine lines and wrinkles of the hands and lips more noticeable. Make sure you apply moisturizer after each time you you're your hands. Put on lip balm, best with SPF 15 or more, or petroleum jelly throughout the course of each day.



6. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. Wear it everyday, even in the winter. The sun's rays age the skin rapidly, creating dry skin, wrinkles, age spots and even spider veins. Many people rush to the dermatologist for a prescription for their mature and sensitive skin, without first following these tips. Moisturizing once in awhile isn't enough. Simple life style adjustments can save you money and your skin.