Medically reviewed by Mary Thompson, RN 

As people get older, their skin changes. It's important to know about these changes so you can take good care of your skin. Knowing how time affects your skin can help you keep it healthy. This blog will talk about the basics of skincare for seniors, how skin works, what makes skin age, tips for taking care of your skin, and what to look for when buying skincare products.

Anatomy and function of the skin

The skin is the largest organ in the human body, serving as a protective barrier against external elements. It consists of three primary layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The skin also shields the body from harmful substances, UV radiation, and physical injury.

The skin’s sweat production controls body temperature and helps blood vessels dilate and constrict. Finally, the nerve endings in the skin allow the ability to feel touch, pressure, pain, and temperature.

Factors that may age skin

The most visible sign of aging skin is wrinkles or creases. This happens because the skin's structure and function change. These changes include decreased production of essential proteins like elastin and collagen, which contribute to the skin's elasticity and firmness.

• Elastin: This helps skin stretch and bounce back.
• Collagen: This gives skin strength and keeps it firm.

Over time, the skin becomes thinner and more fragile. Fewer cells hold pigment which leads to age spots and uneven skin tone. Dryness occurs because the skin produces less oil and sweat.  Many age-related skin changes are a natural part of skin maturing. Your genes largely control when these changes occur, and this type of aging is called intrinsic aging. Several factors can accelerate skin aging:

• Sun exposure: The sun's rays can damage your skin and cause wrinkles, age spots, and skin cancer.
• Lifestyle habits: Bad habits like not exercising, eating unhealthy food, and smoking can age your skin faster. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin.
• Skin care products: Some products have harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin and make it age faster.

Common skin conditions

Seniors are more susceptible to various chronic skin conditions. If you’re experiencing ongoing skin problems, visit with your Conviva primary care doctor who can help diagnose and recommend the best skincare routine.

• Psoriasis: This makes red, scaly patches on your skin.
• Eczema: This makes your skin itchy, red, and swollen.
• Candida: This is a fungal infection that can cause rashes and itching.
• Rosacea: This makes your face red and can cause small, red bumps.
• Adult acne: You can still get pimples as an adult.

Skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. There are three main types.

• Basal cell carcinoma: This usually looks like a small, pearly bump or a flat, flesh-colored or brown scar.
• Squamous cell carcinoma: This often looks like a firm, red bump or a flat sore with a scaly, crusty surface.
• Melanoma: This is the most dangerous type. It's a mole that is uneven, has different colors, and is getting bigger.

Here's an easy way to remember the signs of melanoma, using the ABCDE's:

• Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn't match the other half.
• Border: The edges are uneven or blurry.
• Color: The mole has different colors in it.
• Diameter: The mole is bigger than a pencil eraser.
• Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or color.

While skin cancer rates are rising, most cases can be prevented by following simple sun safety recommendations.

Risk factors for skin cancer

Anyone can develop skin cancer, but the likelihood increases with certain risk factors. Common risk factors include:

• Unprotected and/or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
• A history of severe sunburns
• Pale or fair skin
• Family or personal history of skin cancer
• Multiple or unusual moles

Tips to care for senior skin

Overall skin health starts with following a healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle can help keep your skin looking young and fresh. What’s a healthy lifestyle? Basic health focuses on eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, managing stress, avoiding smoking, and getting plenty of rest. Beyond the basics, think about the following, especially when enjoying the outdoors.

• Protect your skin from the sun. As you age, the skin has less protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This means protecting your skin from the sun is more important than ever.
• Always use sunscreen when you are outside—and reapply! Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply it generously and reapply every two hours.
• Seek shade and avoid staying out between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This is when the sun's rays are the strongest.
• Keep your skin covered up with protective clothing. Keep your skin covered up with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and wide-brimmed hats.
• Perform regular skin checks. Regularly examine your skin for any new or changing moles or lesions. Early detection of skin cancer significantly improves treatment outcomes.

Practice healthy skincare habits

Younger bodies produce more oil and sweat, so bathing routines are usually more frequent. Senior skin, however, slows down like everything else. A daily routine shifts, responding to the reality of the times. These suggestions may help you think about your own daily routine and how to adjust.

• Read the ingredients on all skincare products you use. Be aware that some chemicals can irritate the skin.
• Consider bathing less often but wash your face twice a day. Sponge baths can be a good substitute on the in-between days.
• When you bathe, be careful. Avoid extreme temperatures and strong soaps and gently pat your skin dry.
• Moisturize to help with dry skin. Consider using a humidifier and a daily moisturizer.

Quick tips for skincare products

Ever wonder what all those words and terms mean on a skincare bottle? Figuring out what is healthy or not can be a mystery today with the vast number of options and the long ingredient lists. Here’s a quick at-a-glance list to make the buying process clearer.

Soaps and hand sanitizers:

Look for: Unscented, uncolored soaps

Avoid: Triclosan and triclocarban because of ongoing concerns linked to health risks

Look for: Soothing ingredients

Avoid: Artificial fragrances and colors

Look for: Labels like oil-free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic

Avoid: Parabens as they may cause hormone-related issues

Look for: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers, or ethanol or ethyl alcohol in at least 60% alcohol

Avoid: Don't overuse hand sanitizers²

Skin moisturizers

Look for: Soothing ingredients

Avoid: Retinyl palmitate or acetate, retinoic acid, and retinol in daytime products

Look for: Oil-based with petrolatum as a base

Avoid: Parabens

Look for: Antioxidants

Avoid: Artificial fragrances and colors

Look for: SPF values of 15 or higher

Avoid: Alpha and beta hydroxy acids

Sunscreen 101

When shopping for sunscreen, it's important to look for the safest, most effective options. These general guidelines will help when choosing sunscreen.

What to look for:

• SPF value of 15 or higher and broad-spectrum coverage
• Ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
• Water resistance

What to consider avoiding:

• SPF values greater than 50 because the higher number offers minimal protection
• Ingredients like oxybenzone
• Expired sunscreens

As the largest organ of the body, skin plays a critical role in overall health. Over time, many factors influence skin health including general lifestyle choices, the environment, and commercial products. Learning more about how to care for skin when younger can lead to healthier skin in later years.

Disclaimers:

Content contained on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new fitness or dietary plan. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement of any website or other sources. For any health-related questions, contact your healthcare provider.

Sources:

• Sundelin T et al., “Cues of Fatigue: Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Facial Appearance,” National Center for Biotechnology Information, last accessed on April 25, 2025, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3738045/
• Pidot S, Gao W, Buultjens A, Monk I, Guerillot R, Carter G., “Increasing tolerance of hospital Enterococcus faecium to handwash alcohols,” National Center for Biotechnology Information, last accessed on April 25, 2025 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30068573/
• “Components of Skin,” National Library of Medicine, last accessed on April 22, 2025 https://medlineplus.gov/ency/anatomyvideos/000029.htm
• “Skin Cancer,”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last accessed on April 22, 2025, https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/
• “Skin Cancer,” Mayo Clinic, last accessed on April 25,2025, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/skin-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20377605
• “Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun,” Food and Drug Administration, last accessed on April 25, 2025, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun
• “The Trouble with SPF,” Environmental Work Group, last accessed on April 25, 2025, https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/whats-wrong-with-high-spf/