In an era where staying forever young feels like the ultimate goal, there’s ALSO a growing movement towards embracing the beauty of aging gracefully. But…mature skin calls for more than just surface-level fixes; it craves a holistic skincare regimen that cares for both the inside and out.
In this all-encompassing guide, I’m diving into easy, approachable lifestyle tips tailored especially for mature skin. From the wonders of natural ingredients to meal plans crafted to nourish from within, we’ll cover everything from daily skincare routines to environment tweaks and dietary tips.
WHAT IS MATURE SKIN?
Mature skin refers to skin that has aged over time, typically as a result of the natural aging process and various external factors.
Some key characteristics of mature skin include:
- Loss of Elasticity: The production of collagen and elastin, proteins responsible for maintaining skin elasticity, decreases with age. This can result in sagging and the formation of wrinkles.
- Fine Lines and Wrinkles: Over time, the skin’s ability to regenerate and repair itself diminishes, leading to the development of fine lines and wrinkles, especially in areas with repetitive movements (such as the eyes and mouth).
- Dryness: Mature skin tends to produce less natural oils, making it more prone to dryness and dehydration. This can contribute to a dull appearance and an increased susceptibility to irritation.
- Thinning of the Skin: The outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis, may thin with age, making the skin more fragile and susceptible to damage.
- Uneven Skin Tone: Sun exposure over the years can lead to the development of age spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone.
- Slower Cell Turnover: The turnover of skin cells slows down, resulting in a slower renewal process. This can contribute to a dull complexion and make it more challenging for the skin to recover from damage.
What Causes Mature Skin?
As people get older, the skin undergoes changes that are influenced by both internal and external factors (and can even begin as early as 25-30 years of age).
The aging process varies from person to person, and factors such as genetics, lifestyle choices, and sun exposure can influence how quickly and prominently these changes occur.
Mature Skin Cause #1: The Natural Aging Process
As individuals age, the skin naturally undergoes various changes, including decreased collagen and elastin production, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and thinning of the skin.
Mature Skin Cause #2: Hormonal Changes
Fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly during menopause, can contribute to changes in skin structure and elasticity.
Mature Skin Cause #3: Genetics
Genetic predispositions can influence how quickly one’s skin ages and the extent of aging.
Mature Skin Cause #4: Lifestyle Choices
Unhealthy habits such as smoking, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of sleep can all impact skin health and accelerate the aging process.
Mature Skin Cause #5: Skincare Habits
Inadequate skincare routines, including failure to moisturize or use sunscreen, can exacerbate skin aging over time.
Mature Skin Cause #6: Stress
Chronic stress can lead to the release of cortisol, which can accelerate the breakdown of collagen and contribute to premature aging of the skin.
Mature Skin Cause #7: Nutritional Deficiencies
Inadequate intake of essential nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants can impair skin health and contribute to the aging process.
Mature Skin Cause #8: Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and hormonal imbalances can affect skin health and contribute to premature aging.
What is Holistic Skincare?
Welcome to a journey of self-care that goes BEYOND the surface!
If you’re anything like me, get ready to be obsessed with thinking about how EVERYTHING we do impacts the skin we’re in!
The definition of ‘holistic’ is to think about the WHOLE person rather than just the symptom; holistic skincare considers every detail of the daily experience of an individual to benefit their skin’s health from the inside out.
This is all about understanding that everything in your body, mind, and environment is connected and impacts your overall health and wellness (which directly impacts the skin’s appearance).
Holistic skincare goes far beyond just using the ‘right’ type of product for your skin, and includes all of the following for a well-rounded skincare regimen:
- Plant-based skincare products
- Proper hydration
- Regular exercise
- A Whole Food diet
- Deep sleep
- Stress management
- Mindfulness practice
In this skincare guide, we’ll explore a comprehensive mature skin regimen that not only focuses on external treatments but also delves into these internal factors that contribute to your skin’s health and appearance.
Best Natural Ingredients for Mature Skin
Plant-based skin care products are best for overall wellness, as they are easy on the immune system and have a far lower risk of creating or exacerbating allergies.
It is very important to read the labels of the mature skin care products you are purchasing and aim for items that include many of the essential oils and carriers listed below.
Cedarwood Essential Oil
Cedarwood essential Oil is a cicatrisant, meaning it aids in cell regeneration and healing.
Jasmine Essential Oil
Jasmine essential Oil also has regenerative potential, as well as helpful for dry, damaged skin with free radical scavenging properties (UVB-induced damage).
Myrrh Essential Oil
Myrrh is well-known for use on mature skin, as it has regenerating, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties.
Palmarosa Essential Oil
Palmarosa is beneficial to thirsty skin and helps to balance sebum production and inflammation.
Patchouli Essential Oil
Patchouli Essential Oil moisturizes and cools the skin, a wonder in blends for dryness, scar tissue, and skin disorders.
Rose Absolute
Rose Absolute essential oi is useful in regeneration and healing blends, helping to improve skin texture and reinforcing the skin barrier function.
Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood essential oil is moisturizing and a fabulous addition to any formulation that has strong oils in need of balance.
Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang Ylang essential oil is another powerful moisturizing agent that is much used in mature skincare.
Apricot Oil
Apricot oil spreads easily and is quickly absorbed, improves skin tone, and diminishes the appearance of dark circles.
Argan Oil
Argan oil softens dry patches and is considered one of the best carriers for mature skin due to properties that help tighten pores and increase skin elasticity.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is deeply nourishing and restores the skin. Repeated applications reveal an increase in hydration of the upper layers of the skin and improvement of the skin’s elastic properties.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is one of the most hydrating butters that improves skin flexibility, lightens dark spots and discoloration, reduces cutaneous dryness, and diminishes the appearance of stretch marks and scars.
Hemp Seed Oil
Hemp seed oil is high in antioxidants - such as Vitamin A, C, E and F and fatty acids, that strengthen the outer layer of the skin so it can preserve water. This keeps skin looking and feeling firmer and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is quickly absorbed, non-allergenic, and has an indefinite shelf life, helping to support other ingredients in a formulation.
Pomegranate Oil
Pomegranate seed oil boosts collagen production and quality, making it the perfect anti-ageing essential oil. When used in exfoliation, a process that aids in the production of collagen, pomegranate seed oil is incredibly effective at reducing lines and wrinkles.
Prickly Pear Oil
On top of the many anti-aging benefits, prickly pear is very moisturising and supports the skin barrier. It softens the skin and gives a luminous glow.
Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip seed oil rejuvenates mature skin and aids in cell regeneration. Very popular for formulations that address skin discoloration and age spots.
Shea Butter
Shea butter provides long-term support for the skin, revitalizing skin cells and deeply penetrating the skin. Be sure that the shea butter is raw, organic, and unrefined to guarantee its natural vitamins and healing properties.
In Part 2 we will continue with Best Foods for mature skin, with some recipe ideas :)