As we age, our skin develops flakiness, fine lines, and sunspots that mark the passing of time. This is an inevitable and natural part of life. But, it is no secret that the key to aging gracefully is healthy and flawless skin. While it is important to understand that genetics play a large part in the way our skin ages, there are numerous ways for us to give the immune systems and metabolic processes of our loved ones a boost. Here are some skin care tips that can help them improve their skin condition.
Eat Better and Drink Up
It should come as no surprise that our diets play an important role when it comes to caring for our skin. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and the state of the body is often reflected upon the skin. As such, what we feed our loved ones is incredibly important if we wish to help them maintain or improve the condition of their skin.
First and foremost, keep them on a low sodium diet as foods high in sodium will dehydrate the body, drawing moisture from the skin, making it dry and flaky. Instead, stick to fruits high in antioxidants, leafy greens, and lean protein to help strengthen the skin barrier and slow down collagen breakdown.
Moderate Your Sun Exposure
The breakdown of collagen is one of the main reasons our skin develops wrinkles and a leading cause of collagen breakdown is excessive sun exposure. Furthermore, UV rays from the sun can damage the skin barrier, leading to the development of sunspots. Let’s not forget that excess sun exposure also increases the risk of skin cancer.
When it comes to sun exposure, it is best to adopt a ‘never too late’ attitude because the sooner we become conscientious of the amount of time our loved ones spend under the sun, the better it is for their skin. Here are some of the ways we can proactively moderate sun exposure:
- Avoid going under the sun during peak sun hours such as high noon
- Always lather on sunscreen with at least 30 SPF and make sure to frequently re-apply
- Wear a hat
- Go for regular screening for skin cancer
It is also important to be mindful of the types of ingested and topical drugs our loved ones consume as some make them hypersensitive to the sun and its harmful UV rays.
Moisturizing Is Key
According to the National Institute on Aging, dry and flaky skin becomes increasingly common as we age. There are several reasons for this, including but limited to diseases and illnesses, side effects of certain medication, as well as simply not drinking enough water. Dry skin might not sound like a big deal but it often causes unnecessary discomfort due to itching and stinging.
The best way to prevent dry skin is to drink enough water. The best way to achieve this is to always keep a bottle of water by our side and set periodic reminders to drink up. Make sure to consult a physician if fluid intake might negatively affect our health.
Another way to improve skin moisture is to apply topical moisturizers. This can come in many forms, from lotions to oils. Treat our loved ones to something more luxurious or perhaps a lotion with a scent they like to encourage them to moisturize frequently.
Tone Down the Long, Hot Baths
Last but not least, it’s important to tone down on long, hot baths. Warm baths are a relaxing pastime that many of us indulge in. However, while it might be great for the muscles and the mind, the same cannot be said for the skin. As our loved ones soak in the bath, their skin is gradually drying out.
Now, we’re not saying to stop them from taking prolonged baths in warm water. Simply practicing precaution is good enough. Adding some bath oils in the bathwater and making sure that they moisturize after coming out of the bath should be enough to keep their skin hydrated.
