Anti-Aging Moisturizers | Older, Mature Skincare Wrinkle and Fine Line Treatment

Moisturizers for Mature Skin

Many moisturizers are designed specifically for older skin, while others are there to help give everyone younger looking skin, no matter their age. Moisturizers can help to seal in water. They can also plump up the skin, so wrinkles appear less noticeable.

Some moisturizers also contain ingredients that can exfoliate skin or fill in fine lines and/or wrinkles. The lists of ingredients can sound confusing, but there are some basic ingredients to be aware of. Humectants attract water. If the air is humid, this can be a good thing, as the humectants will draw moisture from the air to the skin. Emollients are ingredients that help to soften and smooth the skin, sealing in the moisture. For example, mineral oil and petroleum help to seal in water, but can clog pores if used in high concentration. Humectants and emollients can often be combined in a single product. Most moisturizers also contain water. There are differences in the ratio, with moisturizers that have more water feeling lighter.

Other ingredients moisturizers can contain include:

• exfoliants - Exfoliants such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or salicylic acids (beta hydroxy acid or BHA) basically speed up the process of shedding the dead outermost layers of skin. For aging skin, you want to use gentle exfoliants, so check the amount of AHA or BHA in the product.
• retinols - Retinoids include retinoic acid (such as the prescription drugs Retin-A and Renova) and retinol (which is a vitamin A alcohol). Retinol tends to be weaker at promoting skin cell turnover, but is more widely available in over-the-counter products. Retinol is also less irritating, which means it can be the better choice for mature skin. Retinol acts as a humectant, which means it plumps up the skin. It is claimed that retinol can also impact collagen and elastin in the skin.
• sunscreen - Sunscreens offer sun protection which is essential to keep the skin from aging and developing brown spots or age spots. Some moisturizers also have self-tanning ingredients which can give your skin a slightly darker appearance.
• vitamins and antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E - these are the same vitamins that you get from foods and vitamin pills.
• fragrances and preservatives

How to apply moisturizers

Since moisturizers help to seal in water, it's good to apply them after your bath or shower, while your skin is slightly damp. Women often apply moisturizers to their face, before putting on make-up. For your hands, you may want to apply moisturizers every time you wash them, to prevent over-drying.

Unless you are allergic to them, moisturizers can be used indefinitely to treat aging skin. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to look for a moisturizer that has fewer ingredients, and least amount of preservatives.

If you are looking for a moisturizer for mature skin, costs can range from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars. Moisturizers also come in many forms such as ointments, creams and lotions. Each is slightly different in its composition and how it helps moisturize your skin.

Ointments are mixtures of water in oil, usually either lanolin or petrolatum. These tend to be heavier, and can be best for very dry skin as well as for aging skin.

Creams are mostly water with oil. Creams, because of the higher water content, must be applied more often than ointments to be most effective. Night creams tend to be heavier, and are best used in the evening. Day creams, which are lighter, can work best under make-up.

Lotions contain powder crystals dissolved in water. Water is the main ingredient. Because of their high water content, they feel cool on the skin and don't leave the skin feeling greasy. They are easy to apply and may be more pleasing than ointments and creams. Lotions however, don't have the same protective qualities. You may need to apply them frequently. Lotions may also work best for older people with oily skin.

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Updated May 2008

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