Age-induced dryness – Managing skin that has become drier over time

Sometimes the ageing processes within the skin will cause the skin type itself to change over time, and with it the way the skin looks and feels. In the case of dry ageing skin, this includes increasing feelings of tightness and dryness occurring at the same time as the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. These dual changes mean that the way the skin is cared for needs to be re-evaluated: to keep it healthy, feeling comfortable and to minimise the visible signs of ageing.

Age-induced dryness is a concern that becomes more noticeable and may need more management with passing time.

It can affect any of the four main skin types. All of the skin types have the potential to move towards being drier as skin matures. Although not always the case, increasing dryness is a common process of general skin ageing. 

Skin dryness and skin sensitivity are often linked and can be concerns at the same time. As time passes, the dryness that accompanies sensitivity can worsen and become age-induced dryness.

How age-induced dry skin feels
Over time, the skin may feel increasingly dry and tight. Moreover the characteristics of dry, ageing skin can be:

• Roughness
• Chapping with a tendency to formation of rhagades ( cracks or long thin scars in the skin)
• Callus formation/scaling
• Frequently itching

 
How age-induced dry skin looks
Alongside the increasing feelings of dryness, tiny cracks and wrinkles start to become noticeable on the surface of the skin. These gradually get deeper over time, and increase in number. 

Age-induced dryness is caused by a combination of internal and external factors that have an increasing influence on the skin as years pass.

After the age of 25 the skin metabolism slows down. By the third decade of life, the skin has begun to change. This chronological skin ageing is inevitable. It is caused primarily by physiological alterations to the function of the skin. In this case, the skin becomes gradually drier and less elastic over time.

Barrier function is weakened, contributing to a loss of moisture. With this vital function of the skin compromised, it is now less able to protect itself against the external factors that accelerate age-induced dryness further.

The metabolic system within each cell slows. Increasingly, skin loses moisture and becomes less elastic. Dry facial skin and wrinkles follow. It is the combination of these effects on the surface of the skin that indicate age-induced dryness.

Genetic predisposition and ethnicity can make a difference to the speed at which a person’s skin ages and can dictate how quickly the effects of age-induced dryness become apparent.

As life progresses, hormonal changes will also have an impact. With the onset of the menopause a drop in oestrogen levels may slow the production of elastic fibres.

• The horny layer: This is made up of tightly packed keratinocytes and substances that together are known as the natural moisturising factors, or NMF. These substances give this layer the ability to bind water. In young skin, an efficient horny layer stores between 10 and 20% of the entire body’s water. As the skin ages, the horny layer is affected by slowing processes within the skin and external factors compromising its barrier function. It can no longer hold moisture in the skin as effectively. The result is dryness, and the subsequent appearance of wrinkles.
• Dermal layers: Structure of the skin is compromised and deeper wrinkles are more likely to show. Elasticity and skin density is reduced, skin loses its youthful look.
• Subdermal layers: In these deeper layers, the lipid-storing cells get smaller and are reduced in number.

Read more about skin´s structure, or about other visible signs of ageing and their causes such as wrinkles or loss of volume.

Wrinkles are caused by a combination of internal factors (the natural ageing process) and external influences such as environmental factors that cause oxidative stress to the skin. Substances that keep our skin smooth and firm, like collagen and Hyaluronic Acid, begin to deteriorate as we get older, so wrinkles are mostly caused by ageing as opposed to dry skin under eyes.

Read more about skin’s structure, or about other visible signs of ageing and their causes like loss of volume.

While there may not be a cure for dry skin and old age, any type of dry skin needs a thorough skincare routine in order to improve appearance and feel.

Dry skin may react much more sensitively to soap and alkaline solutions like those found in many cleaning agents. Therefore cleansing should be carried out with a product that is gentle and doesn’t strip the skin of any moisture. Look for formulas that are free of fragrances and colours such as the Eucerin DermatoCLEAN range.

Discover recommended skincare routine for dry skin, with morning and night recommendations, to help your skin become smooth and plump.

Urea
Urea is one of the natural moisturising factors, NMF, which is naturally manufactured in the body. This makes it ideal for treating dryness. Urea is a key ingredient across all products of the Eucerin Urea range.

Hyaluronic Acid
Also naturally occurring in skin, Hyaluronic Acid has high water binding capacities. It improves skin regeneration and enhances the diffusion of nutrients. It is the effectiveness of Hyaluronic Acid on both dry skin and wrinkles that makes it particularly useful against age-induced dryness.

Eucerin’s Hyaluron-Filler range, including the Hyaluron-Filler Eye Cream has been specially formulated to tackle the first signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles. Eucerin's unique blend of high- and low-molecular Hyaluronic Acid and Glycine Saponin delivers a targeted approach to visibly plumping up the appearance of even the deepest wrinkles for a rejuvenated look.

As with dry and very dry facial skin, it is important to avoid anything that will dry the skin further. There are also lifestyle tweaks that can help to slow the onset of age-induced dryness. Extremes of climate should be avoided. Very hot, cold or dry air can upset the moisture balance of the skin.

There are both positive and negative effects of sun exposure. UV radiation should be managed by avoiding the sun in the hottest hours of the day and wearing loose protective layers of clothing. Use of appropriate SPF products should fit in with this holistic approach. Read more about how the sun affects your skin.

Chemical influences such as cleansing products that are too aggressive, or washing the face with water that is too hot should be avoided as they can cause the skin to dry out further. This happens when the natural moisturising factors, NMFs of the skin are removed, leaving it vulnerable and prone to moisture loss.

Nutrition can help to slow the process. A diet rich in antioxidants can minimise the affect of oxidative stress.

Whenever you are unsure about your skin condition, please seek for professional advice.