11 top skin-care problems for women over 50

11 top skin-care problems for women over 50


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3. UNPREDICTABLE BREAKOUTS Even women with no history of acne or blemishes can suddenly get unstable skin at 50. Blemishes have popped up as a pet peeve, thanks to wobbling hormones, stress


and not-so-healthy sugar binges. “Stress is a skin-wrecker,” says Zeichner. “It causes a spike in cortisol levels, which can increase inflammation, oil production and an urge to eat highly


processed sugary foods ... all of which encourage breakouts to emerge side by side with wrinkles. Using a retinol cream at night counters blemishes and at the same time stimulates collagen


to firm up saggy skin and improve lines and wrinkles.” Try: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Night Renewal Cream ($9, target.com), Olay Regenerist Retinol24 MAX Night Face Moisturizer


($44, walgreens.com) or Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Hyaluronic Acid Night Moisturizer with Retinol ($18, target.com). (Left to right) Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer; Olay


Regenerist Ultra Rich Hydrating Moisturizer Unscented; CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 Dermstore; Target; Ulta Beauty 4. EXTRA DRY SKIN As estrogen levels decline skin feels


thinner, parched and lacks “glow.” Add colder weather to that list, and you've got a complexion desert. “During the first five years of menopause women lose 30 percent of the collagen


in their skin and body,” says Day. “I'm a believer in low-dose hormone replacement therapy to keep skin moist, firm and fresh, but this is an individual decision that must be made with


your own doctor. I advise all women over 50 to include healthy fats in their diet with omega-rich foods like salmon, nuts and seeds to improve skin texture and radiance. A low-fat or no-fat


diet is not helping mature skin at all.” Zeichner adds, “Aside from using a topical retinoid at night, treat skin all day long with moisturizers and serums that contain one or more proven


‘power’ ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, shea butter and vitamin B3 to bring back a dewy fresh look — they're game changers.” Try: Paula's Choice Omega+


Complex Moisturizer ($35, dermstore.com), Olay Regenerist Ultra Rich Hydrating Moisturizer Unscented ($29, target.com) or CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 ($19, ulta.com). (Left


to right) Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Hand Cream with Hyaluronic Acid; Bioderma Atoderm Hand & Nail Cream; CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream Skin Protectant CVS (3) 5. RED, CHAPPED HANDS Who


doesn't have this skin problem nowadays? “Remember to use fragrance-free hand creams after each washing to compensate for dryness from frequent cleansing and hand sanitizer use,” says


Zeichner. “Hands can easily become red, scaly, rough ... but respond quickly to ingredients like shea butter and hyaluronic acid. Leave one on every sink and in every bag. You can only


improve, not lose, with these.” Try: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Hand Cream with Hyaluronic Acid ($7, cvs.com), Bioderma Atoderm Hand & Nail Cream ($10, cvs.com) or CeraVe Therapeutic


Hand Cream Skin Protectant ($13, cvs.com). (Left to right) Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Anti-Dandruff Shampoo; Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo; Matrix Biolage Scalpsync Anti-Dandruff


Shampoo Walgreens (2); Ulta Beauty 6. ITCHY SCALP, HAIRLINE AND BROWS Many of us have been using more dry shampoo this year and washing our hair less. The result is contributing to an


uptick in flaky, itchy scalp issues. “The cause may be dandruff caused by an overgrowth of a yeast on the scalp, an oily scalp or just truly dry skin — and sometimes it is genetic, but we


are seeing more cases,” says Zeichner. “Dandruff can even affect the hairline right in front of your ears, eyebrows or smile lines. Usually an over-the-counter shampoo with zinc pyrithione,


selenium sulfide or ketoconazole can do the trick. Since some medicated shampoos can affect processed hair color, try applying your usual conditioner before washing your hair with a dandruff


shampoo. Use a Q-tip to cleanse and shampoo brows if this area is flaky.” Try: Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($7, walgreens.com) with selenium sulfide,


Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($12, walgreens.com) with ketoconazole or Matrix Biolage Scalpsync Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($19, ulta.com) with pyrithione zinc. (Left to right) La Roche-Posay


Double Repair Face Moisturizer; Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream; The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA Dermstore; Target; Sephora 7. MORE SENSITIVE SKIN Most mature


women, if asked, will say their easily reddened and rash-prone skin is sensitive. “Skin sensitivity is often caused by a thinned, weakened protective barrier — also known as the stratum


corneum — the skin's outermost layer made up of ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol,” Zeichner says. “It protects your skin from water loss; environmental factors like cold, heat and


wind; and unfriendly product ingredients that cause skin to feel tight or flare up. Using moisturizers with the ingredients niacinamide and/or hyaluronic acid helps boost moisture levels in


the skin to help restore this barrier. Keep your routine simple, and wash with tepid water — not hot, too.” Try: Cetaphil Deep Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream ($17, target.com), La


Roche-Posay Double Repair Face Moisturizer ($20, dermstore.com) or The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA ($6, sephora.com).