How To Treat
Mature Skin
What Is Mature Skin?
Aging is inevitable for all of us. From the moment we are born, our dermal clock starts to tick. Mature skin is what it says on the tin – it is skin that has matured with time. As such, mature skin is often defined by the appearance of static wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin and age-related flaws such as dark spots, broken blood vessels (i.e. spider veins), and a noticeable decline in dermal moisture, to name but a few.
What Causes Mature Skin?
The main cause of mature skin is time but, depending on how we treat it, our skin can start to show signs of aging earlier than expected. Stressors like free radicals, pollution, UV damage from prolonged sun exposure and even a predisposition to dryness can all have a more profound effect on our complexions (and areas like our décolletage) than the majority of us think. The elasticity and structural network of our skin becomes increasingly ineffective at supporting itself as we age and this process is accelerated by the above variables, resulting in dermal aging.
Treating This Skin Type
The first rule of treating mature skin is to do so with compassion and gentility. The more mature your skin is, the less collagen and elastin you have, which means that your skin literally loses its bounce. Though none of us are capable of staving off the aging process entirely, it’s well within our bounds to put our foot on the brakes. By structuring a skincare routine around your skin type and discovering what ingredients work best for you are paramount steps to success. If you’re already prone to sensitivity and/or dryness, stay away from harsh products and formulas that rely on chemicals to target any concerns you may be treating. Avoid alcohol whenever possible as it can dry mature skin out even more. Instead, opt for moisturizing products. The drier your skin, the better it handles an extra boost of hydration.
Frankincense
Frankincense essential oil has been proven to have a positive effect on aging skin. It’s said to aid in protecting skin cells and encouraging them to regenerate. Naturally astringent, it also assists in reducing pore size, making the complexion appear clearer and more refreshed.
Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol is a natural retinol alternative that has garnered much praise in recent years. It’s hydrating, anti-inflammatory and triggers collagen production. Unlike retinol, it’s stable for use in direct sunlight and doesn’t cause dermal irritation or thin the skin.
White Tea
White tea is a superior anti-aging skincare ingredient. It’s packed with powerfully anti-inflammatory antioxidants like catechins, which trigger collagen synthesis and fight damage caused by free radicals, helping to tighten skin as well as impeding and softening the formation of wrinkles.
Products To Use:
Products With Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a well-known treatment for keeping the years at bay. It helps to boost hydration and elasticity, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles and improving firmness while also encouraging the process of dermal healing.
A Rich Moisturizer
Mature skin usually means drier skin. This is why a richer moisturizer will serve you well when it comes to staving off the signs of dermal aging. Choose one with non-comedogenic oils like argan, avocado, rosehip, sea buckthorn, jojoba or pomegranate seed. Emollients like shea butter are also beneficial since they help to hydrate and lock in moisture. Just make sure not to forget your décolletage, as this area is prone to wrinkles, but is often neglected.
Eye Cream
The delicate area around your eyes is particularly susceptible to wrinkles. The skin in this region is very delicate and noticeably thinner than that on the rest of your face (approximately ten times thinner). Your eyes’ outer corners also lack sebaceous glands. Together, these elements are a recipe for wrinkles, which is where an eye cream can step in to slow down the aging process here. The right eye cream can assist with moisturizing, plumping and hydrating this area to stave off the formation of age-induced lines.
Serum
Applying a serum is a definite must for mature skin. Serums are typically thinner in consistency in comparison to products like moisturizers, but are designed to be absorbed by the skin at a much deeper level. Make sure to invest in one that has collagen-stimulating properties, botanicals and antioxidants for that extra anti-aging boost. For best results, apply your serum prior to your moisturizer. This way, you’re not only adding to the hydrating effects of this product, but you’re also helping to lock in moisture for longer.
Night Cream
Here’s a good skincare mantra to live by: start with a cream, end with a cream. If you start your day by applying a lightweight cream and end with a richer one, you’re ensuring that your skin maintains its hydration levels while you work and while you sleep. This can have the positive domino effect of supporting your dermal rejuvenating and repairing mechanisms. Opt for creams containing nourishing ingredients like collagen-stimulating peptides and perhaps some of the non-comedogenic oils we mentioned above.
Tips For Mature Skin
Coenzyme Q10
Already naturally produced by our bodies, coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10 for short, is a fat-soluble antioxidant belonging to the quinone class of organic compounds. It exists in our body’s every cell, and as such plays an instrumental role in energy production. Like many substances found in our bodies, CoQ10 declines in production as we age, which is not ideal for skin maintenance. It aids your cells in purging toxins as well as defending them at a molecular level, which extends to combating free radical damage, encouraging the production of the proteins collagen and elastin, and helping cells to assimilate nutrients more effectively.
Try Retinoids
Retinoids are a type of dermal treatment derived from vitamin A and are used topically as an anti-aging solution. Retinoids reduce the visibility of age-related dermal issues like wrinkles and fine lines by triggering collagen production and encouraging new blood vessel growth, which is why investing in a retinoid product can really boost our skin’s youth.
Treat Yourself To A Face Mask
Using a face mask at least once a week is a great way to help feed the skin and give it some extra support. Try masks that contain hyaluronic acid, peptides, antioxidants and even bakuchiol to help encourage dermal plumpness, firmness and brightness.
Incorporate Essential Oils
Essential oils such as lavender, frankincense, rosemary, ylang ylang, rose, clary sage and geranium are reported to be some of the most effective against wrinkles and fine lines. You can read more about them in our Essential Oil Glossary which includes both their benefits and which skin type they’re best suited to. Before applying any essential oil, dilute first unless instructed otherwise. Their potency can cause irritation and even dermal burns in the worst case scenario. If in doubt, consult a dermatologist.
Additional Information
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