Skin Care In Your 60s And Beyond: Pamper And Hydrate
Getting older means so many great things. By the time you hit 60, you’ve learned to embrace your true self, and you have the opportunity to focus on what makes you happy. Feeling your best (inside and out) should be a priority at this stage of life -- and taking care of your health and skin will go a long way toward achieving that goal. Read on to find out how to replenish and rejuvenate your skin as you move into the next phase.
Your Skin at 60 And Beyond
By the time you reach your 60s, your skin has seen a lot! Between sun exposure, environmental factors, laugh lines and hormonal changes, there’s a lot of life showing up on your complexion.
You’ve no doubt noticed that your skin is getting dryer, thinner and more fragile these days. Irritation, redness and blotchiness may be showing up uninvited, and the texture may feel a little rough. As if that’s not enough to deal with, you’re also seeing more sagging, dark spots, crow’s feet and fine lines.
While the “age” of your skin itself is partly to blame, time isn’t the only culprit. “Exposure to sunlight is one of the major causes of aging skin,” says the Eminence Organics Product Support Team. “It may not have been visible in the earlier years but will show up later in life. It breaks down the elastin fibers causing skin to sag, stretch and lose its ability to bounce back.”
We can’t undo the sun damage that’s been done, but what we can do is protect our skin and put the brakes on further deterioration. The first order of business in skin care over 60 is to wear sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher – no exceptions! That may not have been a priority (or even on your radar) back in the day, but things have changed. Lucky for you, sunscreens have changed too. There are choices galore with textures to suit every preference -- creams, fluids and powders are all options, so there are no excuses.
Other general pieces of advice may seem self-evident, but we often forget about them: Always source high-quality skin care for aging skin (a good moisturizer will do wonders), drink lots of water, keep up with physical exercise, eat well and get plenty of sleep. Perhaps think of investing in a good humidifier which can add moisture to the air.
Best Skin Care Routine For Your 60s
Now that the basics are covered, what are the next steps? The key to a great skin care routine this decade and beyond is to be kind to your skin. Using luxuriously soft cloths and investing in your products will make a huge difference. Pampering is important for mature skin, so indulge in the best options you can find. Here’s what to look for when choosing skin care for dry, aging skin.
Cleanse
The first rule of thumb is try not to wash your face too often. The fatty acids on your skin are precious and fleeting at this stage. Over-cleansing, especially with hot rather than lukewarm water, chases those fatty acids away when you need them most, which compromises the skin’s delicate moisture barrier. When you do wash your face, try a rich oil cleanser that leaves skin hydrated and dewy. Another option is a mild exfoliating cleanser to remove surface debris and smooth the appearance of skin. The Firm Skin Acai Cleanser has antioxidant-rich acai berries that improve the look of elasticity in the skin.
Tone
Toner is an essential step – not only to complete the cleansing process but also to further reduce the signs of aging with hydration. Combat the appearance of sagging skin by following up your gentle wash with a tightening and hydrating toner. For example, the Neroli Age Corrective Hydrating Mist tones the skin with a pH-balancing and nourishing combination of coconut water, neroli oil and coconut milk. One user, RMS, left a review saying: “I use this at least twice a day and my skin feels clean afterwards and hydrated. Great product for mature skin ... highly recommend. Has a great smell too.”
Exfoliate
Use a mild chemical peel that includes lactic and glycolic acids. Regularly sloughing off dead skin cells helps with the absorption of active ingredients in products because they don’t have to battle through that extra layer sitting on top. Skipping exfoliation leaves dead skin on your complexion, making you look more dull than glowy (exacerbating the visible signs of aging). Not only does exfoliation reduce these signs, it can also firm up the skin. The Firm Skin Acai Exfoliating Peel offers cotton round pads with a peel solution sourced from grapefruit, acai berry and goji berry. The peel also includes lactic and glycolic acids (excellent options for mature complexions) to reveal smoother-looking skin.
Product Picks
Mask
The masking step is your secret weapon to improving the appearance of your skin. Natural and botanical ingredients, like those found in Eminence’s Snow Mushroom & Reishi Masque, help reduce puffiness while tightening the appearance of the skin. You’ll look smooth, contoured and youthful.
Treat
While you can’t undo the sun and environmental damage you’ve accumulated, you can take steps to treat the appearance of skin. Peptides, a key ingredient in our Marine Flower Peptide Serum, can diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles. The Rosehip Triple C+E Firming Oil is another luxurious facial treatment containing a blend of results-oriented actives and ingredients that provide intense hydration and protection.
Moisturize
Now, more than ever, moisturizer is a must. Moisturize frequently, and preferably right after cleansing, to restore the skin’s moisture barrier. Some of the best face creams for over 60s skin will contain shea butter which is ideal for softening dry skin. Or try the Hibiscus Ultra Lift Neck Cream, which is formulated with hibiscus and botanical hyaluronic acid to keep skin looking firm.
And if the moisturizer includes SPF to prevent further sun damage, even better. The Tropical Vanilla Day Cream SPF 40 protects and revitalizes skin with vanilla, shea butter and SPF 40 all mineral protection.
Product Picks
Night Cream
Moisturizing before bed is a smart way to protect against transepidermal water loss, which is essentially water evaporating from the surface of the skin. A specialized night cream allows you to target specific skin concerns around the clock. In the morning you’ll want to protect skin from further sun damage while adding hydration, while nighttime is the perfect time to enhance your skin’s natural repair process. The Monoi Age Corrective Night Cream For Face & Neck is an overnight cream that leaves the skin appearing finer, smoother and more youthful.
Eye Care
Your eyes have seen a lot and it likely shows. The skin in that area is thinner and even more fragile, so a little extra love is a good idea. Give the eye area special care with rich eye cream that relieves the appearance of dry skin. The Marine Flower Peptide Eye Cream is a triple threat visibly improving the appearance of wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles.
Cherish your skin at 60 and beyond. Taking time and care with it now will allow you to move through your mature years with beauty, grace and radiance. Learn more from an Eminence Organics Spa Partner, and find out about the availability of consultations, product recommendations, tips for skin care over 60 and in-spa treatments.
Not in your 60s? Find skin care information for your age group:
- Skin Care Routine For Your 20s
- Skin Care Routine For Your 30s
- Skin Care Routine For Your 40s
- Skin Care Routine For Your 50s
This article was originally written by Clara Young in May 2020.