Change is the law of life. And our skin is also proof of that. We are able to see visible changes in our skin as we start to age. It starts losing fat, becomes thinner, and does not look as smooth and plump either. The bones and veins in the face can also be seen more easily, and injuries like cuts and scratches take longer to heal. 

Although the process of skin aging is the same, the signs of aging differ from person to person because of personal habits, diet, and lifestyle. Sun damage can also accelerate dryness, wrinkles, and age spots. 

So, what can be done to protect our aging skin? What goes into choosing the best moisturizer for aging skin? In this article, we will answer all these questions and provide you with tips for starting an anti-aging skincare routine.

Table of Contents:

• Understanding Visible Signs of Aging Skin
• Skin becomes paler and thinner
• Skin starts hanging loosely
• Skin bruises easily
• Skin becomes dry and itchy
• Skin becomes prone to developing lesions and non-cancerous tumors
• Skin loses insulation
• Crafting a Skin Care Routine for Aging Skin
• Use a cream-based cleanser
• Exfoliate every week
• Use facial serums
• Use a moisturizer for aging skin
• Use anti-aging eye cream
• Include a facial oil
• Use hydrating makeup products
• Remove the makeup gently
• Key Ingredients to Look for in the Best Face Moisturizer for Aging Skin
• Top Picks: Our Recommendations for the Best Face Moisturizers for Aging Skin

Understanding Visible Signs of Aging Skin

The skin performs many functions, from regulating your body temperature to controlling the electrolyte balance and providing protection from the environment. 

There are basically three main layers of the skin – epidermis, dermis, and the subcutaneous layer. The epidermis is the outer layer, while the dermis is the middle part that provides nutrients to the epidermis. The subcutaneous is the innermost layer that contains fat and blood vessels, among other things. 

Each of these layers contains collagen and elastin fibers that provide strength, flexibility, and support to the skin.

Changes in the skin are one of the first things we notice as we age, besides greying hair. With age, the epidermis starts to thin out, even as the other layers remain unchanged. The most visible signs of aging are sagging skin and wrinkles. 

Here are some of the things that happen to our skin as we age:

Skin becomes paler and thinner

As the skin ages, the melanocytes in it start to decrease, and the ones that remain increase in size. As the upper skin layer (epidermis) and the deeper skin layer (dermis) start thinning out, it causes the skin appear translucent. The areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun will also develop age spots.

Skin starts hanging loosely

The skin starts sagging because it loses collagen and elastin (connective tissue), which are responsible for providing elasticity and strength to the skin. 

After the age of 30, the collagen production capabilities of our skin declines by 1% every year. As the connective tissue degenerates, the skin gets a weathered and leathery appearance. This is called elastosis. The loss of elasticity is more noticeable in the areas exposed to the sun (solar elastosis).

Skin bruises easily

Flattening of the dermis and the epidermis causes the skin to become more fragile. The walls of the blood vessels become thinner, which causes the skin to get bruised more easily. 

You might be able to see cherry angiomas, senile purpura (bleeding under the skin), and other such skin conditions more frequently.

Skin becomes dry and itchy

As your skin starts aging, the oil-producing glands do not work the same way. This is more noticeable in women, as the oil production starts decreasing with menopause. It becomes harder to keep the skin hydrated, which results in itchy and dry skin.

Skin becomes prone to developing lesions and non-cancerous tumors

Aging skin is more prone to developing warts, skin tags, blemishes, and seborrheic keratoses (brown rough patches). 

Besides this, you can also develop actinic keratosis, which is a rough pinkish patch that can potentially turn into skin cancer.

Skin loses insulation

The innermost subcutaneous layer starts becoming thinner. This leads to loss of padding or insulation. 

Not only does it lead to a greater risk of injury, but it also makes it difficult to maintain your body temperature. You are more susceptible to hypothermia in cold weather. 

Besides, your sweat glands stop functioning effectively, which makes it difficult to stay cool in the heat.

Crafting a Skin Care Routine for Aging Skin

As soon as you reach your 30s, it would be a good idea to get a head start on a skincare routine for targeting aging. 

Here are some tips for developing your own anti-aging skincare routine:

Use a cream-based cleanser

Cleansing is an important step of every skincare routine; however, if you have aging skin, you should consider using cream-based hydrating cleansers. 

This is because the skin loses natural oils and moisture as it ages, which leads to an increase in dryness. 

A hydrating cleanser can restore moisture to the skin, which makes it look fresher and more glowing.

Exfoliate every week

Exfoliation is very beneficial for the skin as it helps in cleaning up the clogged pores, boosting circulation, and also brightening the skin. Removing the dead skin cells is important for combating the signs of aging. However, for aging skin, the exfoliation should be done only once a week, using a gentle exfoliant.

Use facial serums

After cleansing and exfoliating, your next step should be a skin serum. This is essential for aging skin, and serums are very powerful for restoring the lost hydration to the skin. 

For facial serums, look for formulations that contain hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, natural antioxidants, Vitamin E, and retinol. 

Face serums can replenish the depleted nutrients in your skin. For most effective results, you should pat them into your skin twice a day, morning and night, before you proceed with moisturization.

Use a moisturizer for aging skin

When choosing the best moisturizer for aging skin, remember to use a formulation that targets cell renewal and revives the tone of your skin. 

The Wow Skin Science Aloe Vera Multi-Vitamin Face Cream is a great option, as it contains some excellent natural ingredients for fighting signs of aging and improving skin texture. 

When you are applying your anti-aging moisturizer, remember to cover your neck area too.

Use anti-aging eye cream

The skin around the eyes is the thinnest and also the most sensitive. To develop a holistic anti-aging skincare routine, it is important to include a targeted eye cream too. 

Look for a good formulation of anti-oxidants, hyaluronic acid, and acne-fighting ingredients to combat fine lines, dark circles, and under-eye bags. 

While you can apply the eye cream using your finger, it would be a good idea to use a rollerball tool to gently massage the eye cream into the skin.

Include a facial oil

With mature skin, another problem is that the natural oil production of the skin starts decreasing. Repeated sun exposure also compromises the skin's ability to stay moisturized. 

Facial oils can be very useful here. A good facial oil with anti-aging properties can provide your skin with an extra dose of nourishment. Besides this, facial oil also helps in locking in the moisturizer.

Use hydrating makeup products

If you wear makeup frequently, remember to look for hydrating formulations. Look for foundations that contain some of the same anti-aging ingredients that you have in your moisturizer. You should also look for SPF properties in your foundation or other makeup products since sun damage increases the signs of aging.

Remove the makeup gently

An important step for an effective skincare routine is removing makeup. Makeup can clog your pores and harm your skin if you leave it in. 

However, it is important to remain gentle during the removal process. Micellar water is great for this, as it removes the makeup from your skin in a gentle manner. 

All you have to do is dab it into a cotton pad and sweep it across your face and neck.

Key Ingredients to Look for in the Best Face Moisturizer for Aging Skin

Moisturization is one of the most important steps in an anti-aging skincare routine. It can help in plumping up the skin and improving the skin's appearance by reducing wrinkles and fine lines. 

Moisturizers come in many formulations, from creams to gels, with ingredients like glycerin, protein, and lactate, among other things. 

Most people tend to gloss over the ingredient list when picking a moisturizer. However, it is important to know what ingredients are good for aging skin so you can choose the best moisturizer for aging skin in the market.

Moisturizers which contain active anti-aging ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin are great for improving skin texture and tone, even as you age. 

Here is a list of ingredients that you should look for in a moisturizer:

• Retinoids: Retinoid is an umbrella term for vitamin A compounds like acid and retinol. They are great for not only reducing fine lines and wrinkles but also for repairing sun damage.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C or ascorbic acid has antioxidant properties which help in protecting the skin from free radicals. Free radicals are oxygen molecules (unstable) that can cause wrinkles by breaking down skin cells. Vitamin C is also great for protecting the skin from the sun. Look for the packaging of the Vitamin C creams to see if they are protected from sunlight and air, as it can reduce its potency.
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): AHAs consist of lactic acid, citric acid, and glycolic acid. The primary function of AHAs is exfoliation or removal of dead skin cells. A skincare product with AHA can help in preparing your skin to better absorb the moisturizers and serums. It also helps in stimulating evenly pigmented, new and smooth skin. A newer form called polyhydroxy acids is great for reducing wrinkles and fine lines.
• Peptides: Peptides are found in all living organisms. They are great for stimulating the production of collagen, which can improve skin texture and reduce wrinkles considerably.
• Coenzyme Q10: This is a very effective anti-aging ingredient that targets fine lines and wrinkles, specifically around the eyes. It is also good for protecting the skin from sun damage.
  
  
• Green tea extracts and others: Tea extracts from black, oolong, and green tea have excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Moisturizers and wrinkle creams usually use green tea extracts.
• Grape seed extracts: Grape seed extract is most popularly known for stimulating the production of collagen in the skin. Besides this, it also has great anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Niacinamide: This is related to Niacin (Vitamin B3), and it is a very potent antioxidant. It helps in improving the elasticity of the skin and reducing water loss.

Top Picks: Our Recommendations for the Best Face Moisturizers for Aging Skin

Now that you are equipped with the knowledge of the right ingredients for fighting signs of aging, you can choose the best moisturizer for aging skin. Here are some of our recommendations –

The Wow Skin Science Vitamin C Face Cream is an excellent choice for an anti-aging moisturizer. It is packed with the goodness of natural botanicals and vitamin C, which helps in preventing wrinkles and fine lines. It also contains the hydrating properties of shea butter and aloe vera, which restores suppleness to dry aging skin.

The Wow Skin Science Retinol Face Cream is a powerful formulation with Retinyl Palmitate and Hyaluronic Acid, which helps in targeting wrinkles, sagging skin, and fine lines. Besides this, it is also enriched with glycerine and aloe vera extracts, among other things, which help in restoring moisture in mature skin. 

The Wow Skin Science Coconut Water-Full Cream With Hyaluronic Acid is excellent for combating the problems of aging skin. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid provide deep hydration to dull and dry skin, while Pro-Vitamin B5 helps in keeping the skin smooth and healthy.

By following the aforementioned tips, you will be able to reverse the signs of aging. However, the best solution is to protect the skin as much as possible. This means limiting the time in the sun and wearing sunscreen, avoiding harmful products, and skipping on tanning beds and sunlamps.

Explore the WOW website for more natural skin care products.