6 Ways Your Skin Changes Over Time and How to Adapt Your Routine

Over time, our skin undergoes several changes, many of which can impact its appearance and texture. While some of these changes are inevitable, adapting your skincare routine can help to maintain a youthful-looking, radiant complexion for as long as possible.  

In this blog, we’ll explore six common skin changes that occur over time, how they affect your skin, and how to adjust your routine to combat these signs of ageing.

1. Loss of elasticity  

First up is loss of elasticity. Elasticity refers to the skin’s ability to bounce back after being stretched, and as we age, collagen and elastin production decreases, leading to looser, less firm, and more wrinkled skin.  

Around our mid-20s, collagen production begins to slow, and by the time we reach our 40s, skin starts losing its youthful firmness. The skin becomes less able to recover after being stretched, which contributes to sagging. In order to preserve skin elasticity, incorporate products like tretinoin, niacinamide and azelaic acid into your routine. These ingredients promote collagen production and improve skin firmness, helping your skin stay supple and plump while reducing the appearance of wrinkles.  

2. Thinning skin  

As we age, the skin becomes thinner, making it more fragile and susceptible to damage. As we age, the dermis (the middle layer of skin) starts to lose fat, and the skin's barrier becomes weaker. This can make the skin more prone to bruising, irritation, and sagging.

To protect thinning skin, be sure to use moisturisers that contain fatty acids, ceramides, and antioxidants. These ingredients help to restore the skin's barrier and maintain hydration. Avoid harsh exfoliants and instead opt for gentle, hydrating skincare.  

3. Dryness  

Some telltale signs of dry skin are skin flaking, rough texture, or the feeling of tight skin. Getting older means our sebaceous glands produce less oil, and the skin’s ability to retain moisture decreases. When combined with environmental factors, this can cause increased dryness.  

To combat dry skin, focus on hydrating products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. You may also want to incorporate richer moisturisers into your routine, especially during the colder months. For those with extremely dry skin, a thick barrier-repair cream can help lock in moisture.  

4. Age Spots  

Age spots, also known as liver spots or sunspots, are dark patches that can appear on the skin, most often areas of the skin exposed to the sun. Prolonged sun exposure accelerates the production of melanin, causing pigmented spots to appear, especially in the face, hands, and chest.  

To reduce age spots, use products with tretinoin, azelaic acid for pigmentation, and vitamin C. These ingredients help to brighten skin and even out skin tone for a more balanced, radiant complexion. Additionally, applying sun cream daily is crucial to prevent age spots from forming.  

5. Dullness  

Slower skin cell turnover as we age can lead to our skin looking dull or lacklustre. With age, skin cell regeneration slows down, leading to a build-up of dead skin cells on the surface, making the skin appear less vibrant.  

With regular exfoliation using mild chemical exfoliants (such as AHAs or BHAs), you can effectively remove dead skin cells and encourage new cell growth to reveal more vibrant-looking skin. Incorporating a brightening serum or moisturiser with vitamin C or niacinamide will restore your skin’s natural radiance (Kwon et al., 2018).

6. Pigmentation

Pigmentation refers to uneven skin tone, including dark spots, freckles, and melasma. Hormonal changes, UV exposure, and the natural ageing process can all cause the skin to produce more melanin, leading to pigmentation irregularities.

To address pigmentation, focus on using products that brighten and even out the skin tone. Look for ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide, and liquorice extract, which are known for their ability to reduce dark spots and improve overall skin tone. Regular exfoliation with gentle chemical exfoliants like AHAs, as previously mentioned, can also help by removing dead skin cells and promoting skin regeneration. Or for a more targeted approach, you may want to explore UK pigmentation removal cream.  

Embrace Timeless Skin with MiQuest  

It’s normal to see changes in our skin as we age – but we don’t have to settle for it if we don’t want to. From combating loss of elasticity to tackling pigmentation, adapting your routine to address these changes is key to maintaining healthy, radiant skin.  

Here at MiQuest, we understand just how important it is to customise your skincare as you age. That’s why we offer a range of personalised, prescription treatments to help you achieve your goals.  

Whether you’re looking for prescription anti wrinkle cream, dull skin treatment, or anything in-between, our expert team can guide you towards achieving your best skin yet. Get in touch with our incredible team today to discover how we can keep your skin looking vibrant for years to come.  

Citations

Kwon, S. H., et al. "The Effect of Topical Niacinamide on Skin Aging." Dermatology Times, vol. 34, no. 7, 2018, pp. 44-50.

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