It’ll happen to everyone, but there are certain things you can do to lessen the extent.
You may have noticed that as you’ve gotten older, your skin has gotten drier. You’re not alone.
“Most everyone’s skin gets drier as they age,” said Dr. Michelle Henry, a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon with Skin & Aesthetic Surgery of Manhattan. “We usually start to see dryness setting in, especially for women in that perimenopausal period, between 40 and 50 years of age.” But it happens to everyone, regardless of sex.
Still, the extent varies. “While everyone’s skin gets drier to a degree as we age, some are more susceptible than others,” explained Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, a board-certified dermatologist with Premier Dermatology in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
“Some genetics and ethnicities see these changes more prominently than others, however, your lifestyle choices and skin care habits will provide the biggest impact on how you individually experience [skin dryness as you age],” added Dr. Deanne Mraz, a board-certified dermatologist who is the president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology in Westport, Connecticut.
So, why is drier skin such a sure bet as we age? We asked these three dermatologists to break down the science.
The Science Behind Dry Skin
“As we age, our skin gets thinner and weaker. Our epidermis and dermis thin, our blood vessels become more fragile, and our skin barrier becomes weakened,” Zubritzky explained. “The result is more sensitive, drier skin as our skin barrier no longer can retain water the same way it did when we were younger.”
There are various biological reasons for this. “Oil glands naturally add oil and moisture to our skin, and as we age, these become fewer and fewer in number. This results in dehydrated skin, causing itching and dryness,” Zubritsky noted. “As we age, our skin becomes less efficient at cell renewal. Therefore, we aren’t able to shed our old, dead skin cells as effectively as [during] our younger years. These retained skin cells make the skin look flaky, dull and dry.”
Age-related hormonal changes play a role, too. “Estrogen is really important to our skin’s oil production and overall hydration,” Henry said. “As estrogen levels drop [with age], the skin becomes thinner, drier, and less elastic.” And a similar theory applies to testosterone, too — as levels drop, studies suggest that skin elasticity worsens.
Lifestyle Habits That Increase Age-Related Skin Dryness
People who spend a lot of time in the sun, especially without sun protection, will experience more skin dryness later in life.
“Sun damage fuels the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin, compromising the skin barrier, which plays a critical role in helping the skin to regulate its hydration levels,” said Mraz, who recommended using an SPF 30-plus product daily and avoiding tanning beds.
Stress also worsens skin dryness. “When we are chronically stressed, our cortisol levels are high,” Henry said. “When our cortisol levels are high, it impairs our skin’s ability to hold in moisture.”
How To Slow Or Lessen Age-Related Skin Dryness
If you haven’t experienced age-related skin dryness yet, practicing good skin care can help control the extent of future dryness. “Start using skin care that is preventative and reparative,” said Mraz, whose skin care “essentials” include chemical exfoliation, antioxidant serum, moisturizer and SPF.
She recommends using a vitamin C serum to “prevent oxidative damage from environmental toxins,” as well as a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer and a mineral SPF 30-plus product daily.
She also suggested retinol: “If you can introduce a retinol in your 20s, you’ll benefit longer-term.”
Other superstar skin care ingredients that can help fortify the skin’s barrier include ceramides, glycerin and squalene, noted Henry. “These mimic our natural moisturizing factor and will help keep the skin functioning optimally. Staying orally hydrated is also important. Drink lots of water and stay away from things that are dehydrating such as excessive coffee, alcohol, and caffeinated teas.”
People who have oily skin, however, may welcome the age-related dryness. “It might actually take them to a place where [their skin feels] more balanced,” added Henry.
Alleviating Skin Dryness That’s Already Set In
If you’re already experiencing age-related skin dryness, you may want to adapt your skin care routine to improve your symptoms.
“It’s best to look for thick, creamy moisturizing ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid and specific vitamins that will protect our epidermal barrier and prevent transepidermal water loss,” Zubritsky said. “Avoid harsh, stripping soaps and instead choose gentle, hydrating cleansers. It’s also important to avoid anything that will further irritate the skin, so choose a laundry detergent that is free of dyes and perfumes.”
Your lifestyle habits are equally important. “Drink lots of water and load up on water-rich foods as well as omega fatty acids,” Mraz said. “I also recommend putting a cool mist humidifier in the rooms of your home that you spend the most time in. This adds moisture to the air so that your skin can absorb it.”
For an in-office skin care treatment, Mraz suggested a HydraFacial to “deeply clean the skin, while boosting it with deep hydration.”
Those comfortable with more invasive treatments may want to try “resurfacing lasers and chemical peels to rid the skin of dead cells and give it more luminosity,” Henry added. “Microneedling and radiofrequency lasers will help thicken the skin, making it less thin and less prone to drying out.”
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