Tightness, fine lines, itching, and flaking. If you want to avoid these symptoms of dry skin and aging, the time to act is now.
What Makes Skin Dry as We Age?
Fewer natural oils, sun damage, and decreased cell renewal all can lead to dry, rougher skin as we get older, says Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, a dermatologist practicing in California.
Loss of hormones can also lead to drier skin as we age, says Carolyn Jacob, MD, a Chicago dermatologist. "The skin doesn't produce as much natural moisturizing factor as it used to, and the top layers of skin become dry."
So what can you do today, to help keep skin supple tomorrow? Here are tips from top dermatologists.
Smooth on the Sunblock to Prevent Dry, Aged Skin
Sun damage is the major cause of unwanted changes to the skin as we age, says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
Reflection of the sun's rays can be as intense in winter as in summer. The damage those UVA and UVB rays cause not only speeds up the skin's aging process, it can also lead to spider veins, age spots, wrinkles, and melanomas.
To protect your skin every day and all year, use a sunscreen containing a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater, suggests Leslie Baumann, MD, director of the Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute at the University of Miami. Reach for a broad-spectrum sunblock -- one that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Be sure to reapply generously and often, at least every two hours you're outside.
And don't forget your lips, says the AAD. "Lips get sunburned too, so apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher."
Finally, stay out of the sun when it's at its most intense, which is usually between about 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
To Prevent Dry, Aged Skin, Vitamin A Is Vital
Vitamin A is another weapon in your fight against prematurely aging.
To help keep skin looking its best, "a vitamin A cream is very important," says Badreshia-Bansal. That's because creams enhanced with vitamin A can help prevent wrinkles and pigmentation, Badreshia-Bansal says.
Florida dermatologist Andrea Lynn Cambio, MD, FAAD agrees. She considers vitamin A derivatives like retinoids the most important nutrient in maintaining smooth, healthy skin.
Chemically related to vitamin A, retinoids such as retinol, Atralin, Differin, Retin A, and Tazarac slow down collagen breakdown, says Jacob. Collagen, along with elastin, is a fibrous protein vital in keeping skin firm, elastic, and youthful-looking.
"Adding a topical retinoid (over the counter or by prescription) is a great way to undo some sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles, and give a brighter, healthier glow," Cambio tells WebMD.
You can also give your diet a vitamin A boost by eating foods such as low-fat milk and cheese, eggs, leafy greens, oranges, carrots, and cantaloupe.
