Wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of aging didn't suddenly show up the day you turned 50, but have been growing over the decades as your skin accumulated damage. If you're in your 50s but want your skin to reflect the energy and youth you feel inside, several skincare and lifestyle changes can help rejuvenate your skin cells and firm up your skin surface for a smoother, more perfected complexion.
Moisturize
For women in their 50s, specifically those who have gone through menopause, the skin does not produce as much natural oil as it used to. Thus, the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines are exaggerated. Moisturize regularly with a skin lotion containing petrolatum, which acts as an emollient to trap moisture in your cells. Regular hydration also firms up your skin surface and visibly diminishes fine lines and wrinkles, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. For additional control of skin dryness and dehydration-related wrinkles, the academy recommends limiting showers to no longer than 10 minutes, running a humidifier in your room, and covering up your skin during cold, dry winter weather.
Wear Sunscreen
For women with "mature skin," the American Academy of Dermatology calls sunscreen one of the top ways to rejuvenate your skin, noting that such products reduce all signs of aging and also guard against skin cancer. For the most effective reduction and protection against wrinkles and fine lines, choose a product that has broad-spectrum protection --- this means it blocks both UVA and UVB sun rays --- and a minimum SPF of 30.
Exfoliate
As you get older, the skin cells on your skin's surface don't turn over as quickly as they did when you were younger. To speed up the rejuvenation process and get younger-looking skin, older women should exfoliate regularly, according to a panel of dermatologists in a "Real Simple" magazine article. Common exfoliating ingredients to look for in a skin cleanser or scrub include salicylic acid, malic acid and lactic acid, which ease the appearance of wrinkles by stimulating skin collagen production, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Apply a Night Cream
While you should wear sunscreen during the day, the evenings provide an opportunity to apply an anti-aging, anti-wrinkle cream. For best results, pick an anti-aging cream that contains vitamin A, which "Real Simple" magazine calls the "gold standard" for diminishing skin damage and wrinkles. For faster reduction of surface skin damage and fine lines, your dermatologist can prescribe a prescription-strength vitamin A cream that contains retinol, tazarotene or tretinoin.
References
- "Real Simple"; Winter Skin Care Tips; Sue Chung
- American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologists' Top 10 Tips for Relieving Dry Skin
- American Academy of Dermatology: Dermatologists' Top Tips for Mature Skin
- "Real Simple": Younger Skin at Any Age
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Skin Wrinkles and Blemishes; Harvey Simon; February 2008
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