Skin Care for Mature Skin

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You may have been noticing the signs for a while: increased roughness, wrinkling, irregular pigmentation (coloration) or inelasticity. These are all normal changes in our skin as we age.

You may have enlarged sebaceous (oil) glands. Sometimes, precancerous and cancerous lesions can occur with aged and photoaged skin. Sunscreens and sun protection are important to prevent further progression of photoaging.

Your skin requires different skin care as you age. As we grow older, our skin doesn't produce new cells at the same pace. Environmental and biological factors take their toll. Often we develop enlarged pores, and the effects of the sun become evident in sunspots, freckles and wrinkles.

Here are three tips to enhance natural skin care as you grow older:

1. Seek out skin care products that help you manage your skin cells, such as creams. Look for products that contain ingredients such as Vitamin B complex, copper, and flax oil.
2. If you smoke, stop. Smoking has been shown to accelerate aging of skin, so quitting now is important for good skin health.
3. A well-balanced diet ? with or without a multivitamin ? helps the skin get the nutrition it needs to help repair ongoing damage from the sun and other environmental elements. Drink a lot of water to hydrate your skin from the inside out.

There are many topical non-prescription and prescription products currently available that help maintain and protect your skin's health. Ask your doctor or skin care specialist which medications are best for you.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Dermatology.

Edited by Michael W. Smith, MD, April 2003, WebMD.

Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2003.