Skin care for aging skin over 60

What changes after 60?

Nearly everyone has dry skin by 60. Skin produces less sebum, the oil that helps keep it soft, and loses water more easily. Harsh soap, long hot showers and cold, dry weather can make the dryness worse. Certain medicines, including statins and diuretics, can contribute too.2

Aging also makes skin thinner and reduces the fat beneath it, so skin looks less plump and can take longer to heal. Loss of collagen and elastin, the structures that give skin firmness and stretch, contributes to looseness. Facial changes also involve the fat, bone and cartilage beneath the skin, not just its surface.34

Natural aging affects the whole body, including areas usually covered by clothing. Sun damage adds another layer of change, especially on the face, neck and arms: roughness, deeper wrinkles and uneven pigmentation. Menopause can bring earlier changes because estrogen's protective effects decline.5

How should you wash and moisturize?

1. 1Keep baths and showers to five to ten minutes, using warm rather than hot water.
2. 2Wash with a gentle, fragrance free cleanser. Use enough to remove dirt and oil without a thick lather; on the body, concentrate cleanser where needed, such as the armpits and groin.
3. 3If you shave, do it at the end of the bath or shower, when the water has softened your skin and hair.
4. 4Pat dry gently with a clean towel, then apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp.
5. 5Reapply moisturizer when skin feels dry and after washing your hands. Use lip balm or petroleum jelly for dry lips.

Which moisturizer should you choose?

Choose a cream or ointment rather than a lotion for very dry skin. These add more moisture and are more effective for dryness. Look for fragrance free products; unscented products can still contain chemicals that hide odors and irritate sensitive skin.1

Match the thickness to the dryness: drier skin generally needs a thicker moisturizer, especially on the hands. Moisturizers help reduce water loss, improve the skin's protective barrier and reduce itch. Products containing moisture attracting ingredients such as urea or propylene glycol can be useful. Choose a moisturizer based on dryness, tolerance, availability and cost, rather than turning the purchase into a luxury branding exercise.6

Remember the body as well as the face. Dryness commonly affects the shins, and severe dryness can become inflamed or cracked. Apply moisturizer generously and often enough to keep those areas comfortable, particularly after bathing and when itchy. Dryness can remain a lifelong tendency, although controlling its triggers can improve it.6

Is sunscreen still worth using after 60?

Protecting skin from further sun damage is useful at any age, so sunscreen does not have a retirement date. Ultraviolet light damages elastin, reducing skin's ability to spring back. Sun damaged skin also bruises and tears more easily and takes longer to heal. Nothing completely undoes existing sun damage, but protecting your skin can delay further changes.4

For outdoor exposure, use broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Reapply every two hours, or sooner if you get wet or sweat heavily. Seek shade and wear protective clothing and sunglasses as well. Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps, and stay out of the sun when it is strongest.1347

What about retinol and other wrinkle treatments?

Retinoid creams, alpha hydroxy acids and vitamin C are among the topical options used for aging skin. With regular, long term use, these treatments can help dryness and may reduce fine wrinkles and even out pigmentation. Their role is different from treating deeper facial changes or removing excess sagging skin. Cosmetic procedures address different concerns, including expression lines, deep furrows and loose skin.5

For skin that is already dry, stop cosmetic products containing retinoids, fragrance or alcohol, except hand sanitizer. If a retinoid is prescribed, discuss dryness with the prescriber rather than changing the treatment yourself. A dermatologist can help balance treatment ingredients with what your skin needs to heal.1

Set separate goals: relieving dryness, reducing the appearance of age spots and protecting against further sun damage are different jobs. Natural aging continues even when skin is well cared for.35

What else can make dry skin worse?

Look beyond the bathroom shelf. Low humidity, excessive air conditioning, direct heat from a fire or fan heater, detergents and rough clothing can aggravate dryness. Reduce excessive bathing and replace ordinary soap with a soap substitute. A humidifier can help in winter. Pay particular attention to repeated contact with water or harsh chemicals if your work or household tasks involve them.26

Smoking contributes to wrinkles and speeds skin aging. Healthy eating, staying hydrated and managing stress also belong in skin care, alongside daily moisturizing. Check your skin often for changes and arrange regular dermatologist visits; caring for aging skin includes noticing new problems, not just choosing products.37

When should you see a doctor?

Have very dry or itchy skin assessed, particularly if itching disrupts sleep. Diabetes, kidney disease and some medicines can contribute, so persistent itch should not automatically be treated as ordinary aging. Dryness is also more likely with thyroid disease, dialysis and current or past cancer treatment. Tell your clinician about your medicines and treatments when discussing new or worsening dryness.24

See a dermatologist if dryness continues despite gentler washing and moisturizing, or if products cause burning, stinging or irritation. Ask before trying an itch relief cream, because some can worsen irritation. Treatment sometimes requires medication as well as moisturizer, especially when an underlying skin condition is involved.1

Get a growing lump or a sore that fails to heal examined. These can be signs of skin cancer and sometimes require a biopsy, which means taking a small tissue sample for testing. Do not assume every new mark or growth is simply an age spot.5