10 tips to improve skin health for the over 50’s | Greater Later Living
As we age, we gain a lot of wisdom and maturity. We are stronger as a person. Gaining on one side though we lose a bit at another level. Our skin loses elasticity and the ‘scaffolding’ supporting it, is losing strength. Men lose head hair but gain it back where they don’t want it! We as women naturally lose some body fat where we don’t want to lose it ☹ and that is in the face for most of us.
The Natural Facelift Method is all about regaining some plumpness, a refreshed and rejuvenated look. However, as a Reflexologist, which includes Facial Reflexology, I am not only passionate about reconnecting you with a rejuvenated and fresher self, but I am also very passionate about natural health, a healthy lifestyle and healthy skin.
Here are some tips for you to implement at home.
1. Lifestyle
Too much alcohol, caffeine and contact with environmental chemicals affect the health and youthfulness of our cells. Antibacterial soaps, sprays, etc. contain chemicals that effect not only our largest organ but can also affect our hormonal balance, not a happy situation to be in when we go through the amazing empowering stage of menopause.
2. Water is the cells’ swimming pool
Cells contain salt water and are ideally surrounded by fluids. Being well hydrated is important as hydration at a cellular level decreases as we age. So, drink plenty of water, your urine should have a very light-yellow tinge to it. Any darker, and you need to get that glass of water! Watermelon is a skin friendly fruit, it mostly contains water, and … it tastes good!
3. Nutrition contributes to glowing, more youthful skin
A healthy and balanced diet contributes to healthy cells. A wide range of vegetables, fruit and nuts as well as some protein is important to build happy, bouncing cells. Healthy fats are good for cells, and I suggest varying the types in your diet such as olive oil, grass-fed butter, avocado, nuts, fatty fish, etc. to keep cells healthy and moist. I see them as plump and bouncing around happily.
4. Skin care
It is tempting to exfoliate facial skin regularly to ‘scrub’ away dead cells. However, too much exfoliation puts the skin in protection mode, and it may thicken and get tougher. Watch out for those exfoliators that contain microbeads, these end up washed from your face, into the sink and eventually find their way into the ocean where fish ingest them. There are natural and mild cleansers on the market that will gently remove dead cells left on the skin’s surface.
5. Cosmetics
You are probably happy with your cosmetic range however some contain nasty chemicals that will ‘sit’ on your skin and prevent it from ‘breathing’ and this doesn’t help cells to renew themselves. Choose a natural cleanser to remove traces of make up before going to bed. This allows the skin to breathe easily whilst you are resting.
6. Exercise
Exercise is a word I don’t really like as it may imply you need to go to the gym, attend classes and this may not be your cup of tea. However, walking to the shops, walking the stairs instead of taking the lift, vacuuming (yes 😊), dusting, picking up the kids’ toys are all a form of exercise. These are called functional exercises as this is what we used to do in previous generations. These get the blood flowing and the muscles working, which is great for cell health.
7. A good night’s sleep
This is such an important part of how we look! Waking up a lot or not sleeping enough drains energy not only from your body but it shows on your face. I am sure you would have looked at yourself in the morning and you look like you feel, tired. Reduce screen time before bedtime so your brain has some quiet time before going to bed.
8. Hot water
Hot water is not our skin’s friend. The natural oils found in the skin layers are stripped and the skin gets a slight burn. A red glow after a shower is not skin friendly as the blood vessels dilate and work hard to cool the skin, this takes longer as we age and adds stress to our health.
9. Sun
Over-exposure to the sun damages the layers of the skin as it protects itself from burning. Collagen and elastin are also affected, and pigmentation may change. When using sunscreen look at a natural one.
10. Stress
Stress releases higher levels of certain hormones like cortisol. Stress also puts pressure on our cells and as the skin is our largest organ, you may see rashes, breakouts, acne, etc. appear. Walking in fresh air, some exercise, meditation or partaking in a hobby help to drop these stress levels and encourage the good hormones, such as endorphins, to flood our bodies for better health.
Conclusion
All the above are aspects of how we can nurture our bodies, mind, and lifestyle. A healthy and balanced diet, good hydration, exercise, and meditation are great tools to support the health of our whole body which includes the skin, which is the most visible organ.
For more information: [email protected]
About Anne
Anne, a mother of 2 and grandmother of 3, shares her insights about health through Menopause & Beyond Menopause. She does this by sharing pearls of wisdom collected in her 72 years of living and working with clients since 1999. She deepens her knowledge by reading, researching and learning as much information on the physical and mental aspects of menopause to help you through your journey with these changes in life!