Most women I know love to spend time outside, doing sports, sunbathing or just hanging out. Unfortunately, our aging skin is the first thing to suffer from our fun in the sun.

What is Your Aging Skin Telling You?

For those over 60, the cumulative effect of too many afternoons in the sun can mean long-term skin damage, including wrinkles, dry skin, and sometimes even brown spots. Luckily, you can take action to help repair your skin and prevent any further damage. Read our handy guide below!

Start Your Day with a Moisturiser

Firstly, make sure you have a good daily beauty routine which is going to keep your skin well protected from now on. Start your regime each morning with a moisturiser that will adequately replace any lost moisture.

As we get older, dry skin is caused by a decline in oil production from our pores – so, look out for oil-based creams and remember to apply them often. Regular steaming can also help to undo sun damage.

Think About Exfoliation

There are different types of exfoliators on the market. Some work chemically, while others have tiny beads that smooth off rough edges. Whichever one you choose, be sure to keep the practice up regularly. Sun-damaged skin is often characterised by red patches and dryness or peeling.

Exfoliating with a good quality product ensures that dead skin is removed quickly and easily. This will help to prevent that nasty scabby look and expose the healthier, younger skin deeper down which has suffered less damage from the sun.

Choose Your Makeup Carefully

Next, make sure that the makeup you’re applying isn’t drying out your skin. Some foundations and base creams can remove natural moisture, so be careful to look on the packaging for a list of ingredients and do some trial and error before deciding which one is right for you.

If you are unsure which product is appropriate for your skin type, do not hesitate to talk to the in-store experts or book yourself a 20 minute spot to try on a few different types and see which works for you. Many department stores do this for free if you ask.

When deciding on your makeup, you can also use this as an opportunity to ensure protection from the sun in future. Dry skin often occurs as a result of harmful UVA and UVB rays, but helpfully, a lot of normal cosmetic products have in-built sun protectors. Check on the packet and ask in store for advice on which will give your skin the best protection.

Don’t forget to get additional sun cream for non-facial areas and those parts easy to miss like lips and the tops of ears!

Even on cloudy days, the sun’s harmful rays can penetrate into the atmosphere and cause potential harm – so make sure you stick to this every day!

Protect Your Skin From Further Damage

Finally, to prevent any further damage, take important precautions against any further sun damaged skin. Don’t go out in the middle of the day (an excuse for a siesta!) and use cover-ups like elegant wide-brimmed hats, white shirts, and sarongs. By modelling best practice in sun protection for yourself, you’ll also influence your family, helping to ensure they maintain healthy, non-sun damaged skin for life too!

What skincare products do you use to keep your skin healthy after 60? What else do you do to take care of your aging skin? Please join the conversation.

This is a guest post by John Brasington.