5 ways to care for ageing skin

Proper skincare can help delay the signs of ageing

Whether we want to admit it or not, our skin is getting older. While you might think that skin is only ageing when it shows signs of it - such as wrinkles - it is constantly changing. It is likely that your skin was completely different in your teens than it was even in your 20s, not to mention the years afterwards.

As skin ages it starts to require different levels of care in order to keep it looking and feeling moisturised and radiant. While your skin may have been oily at some point, as it ages it is likely to get dry easier and can sometimes become more sensitive.

Your skin will also start to feel thinner and less plump, which can make wrinkles looked more pronounced. All of this is perfectly natural and is simply a side effect of getting older. Unfortunately, you can't stop the clock completely - or even turn it back - but you can help to slow its effects by taking steps to look after your ageing skin.

Drink plenty of water

It doesn't matter what your age, your skin needs plenty of hydration. This doesn't just mean using moisturiser, as a lot of your skin's moisture comes from within. 

Not drinking enough water every day - not counting juice or hot drinks - can leave your skin feeling dry and dull. If you don't get enough water every day, your skin can start to feel dry and tight, with some areas experiencing flakiness.

You won't see an instant difference; after all, water has to be absorbed by the body before it can reach the skin. However, if you drink at least eight glasses of water a day, you'll find that your skin starts to look and feel better over time.

Moisturise every day

Even if you are drinking plenty of water, you still need to ensure your skin is getting an instant hit of moisture every day. This means applying moisturiser to clean skin in the morning and at night.

Moisturisers work by trapping water in your skin, helping it to be absorbed and maintained through more layers. Not only does this help avoid any dryness, it also plumps up the skin, giving it a more youthful appearance.

You'll also find that moisturising helps to regulate your skin's oil production, helping to avoid any problem areas, such as oily or dry patches. With this in mind, it is important to choose a moisturiser that is suited to your skin type so as to avoid any lotions that are too light or too heavy and so aren't suitable for your skin.

Regular washing


You should ensure that you wash your skin twice everyday to help it look and feel fresh. Even if you don't wear makeup, dirt and grime from the air, as well as your skin's natural oils, can build up. This can clog pores and dull your skin, altering its appearance while also causing issues such as breakouts.

Ideally, you should wash your face in the morning and at night to keep it looking clear. Use a soap or wash that is suitable for your face and skin type the majority of the time, as this will get rid of surface dirt. 

However, you will also need to exfoliate regularly for a deeper clean. This shouldn't be done more than twice a week, with face scrubs or exfoliating washes best used at night to allow your skin to rejuvenate. Exfoliating too often or too harshly can damage your skin, so be gentle.

You should also use only lukewarm water on your face, as water that is too hot or too cold can remove moisture from the skin.

Sun protection

It doesn't matter whether it's a sunny day or overcast, your skin will still be exposed to harmful rays. UV rays lead to your skin ageing faster, as well as to other issues such as cancer. This is why it is so important that sun protection be included in your daily skincare routine.

No matter what your age, you should ensure you use products with a good level of SPF protection, moving up to products with a higher level of protection on sunny days. This will help shield your skin from photoageing - ageing brought on by sunlight - and protect your health. 


Not only can getting enough sleep leave you feeling refreshed and ready for the day, it has a similar effect on your skin too. 

While you sleep, your body works to renew and rejuvenate itself, with cells working to repair themselves. This is why your skin looks and feels bright after a good night's rest and why a bad night's sleep can leave it looking dull.

Doing what you can to sleep comfortably will help the appearance of your skin as well as how you feel.