Your Skin After 50 and How to Care For It

We've all done good and bad things to our skin, thinking it didn’t matter in the long run—from putting toothpaste on a zit to sleeping with a full face of makeup. These habits may not affect us much in our 30s, but by the time we reach 40, we begin to see the signs. After 50, things can start to go downhill quickly.

Some signs of aging appear gradually, while others demand immediate attention. These changes are influenced by factors like genetics, ethnicity, sun exposure, and your skin care routine. Early intervention with topical treatments often works well, but some issues are beyond the reach of expensive creams and chemical peels.

We've compiled a list of common skin problems you may experience and what you can do about them:

Age Spots

If you've started noticing small, dark patches on your skin, they could be age spots, also known as liver spots. These can appear on your face, hands, shoulders, arms, or any area that gets a lot of sun exposure. They are typically harmless and do not require treatment, but you can consult your doctor to lighten or remove them. Always wear sunscreen—rain or shine—to prevent them from worsening.

Saggy Skin

Is your skin looking a bit droopy? Youthful skin appears firm due to its elasticity, but aging causes a breakdown in fat, collagen, and elastin, leading to sagging. Regular use of sunscreen and moisturizer, as well as neck exercises, can help. For more significant changes, consult your doctor about prescription retinoids, which firm the skin by stimulating collagen production and cell regeneration.

Skin Tags

Wondering if you're the only adult dealing with these awkward tissue growths? You're not alone. Skin tags are harmless but annoying, often appearing on the neck, armpits, eyelids, upper chest, or groin. If they're bothersome, they can be removed surgically, frozen off with liquid nitrogen, or burned off with a laser—none of which is as scary as it sounds.

Pruritus (Itchy Skin)

Pruritus, or itchy skin, becomes more common as you age. It can be caused by various skin diseases, pregnancy, or simply dry skin. The best way to treat it is to identify the underlying cause. If it’s due to dry skin, moisturize regularly and avoid hot showers. If the itchiness lasts for two weeks or more and spreads, it could indicate a more serious condition like thyroid or kidney/liver problems. In such cases, consult your doctor immediately.

Solar Elastosis

Long-term sun exposure can turn skin yellow and cause deep ridges and bumps, a condition known as solar elastosis. If you smoke, this condition can worsen because tobacco causes deeper skin damage than sun exposure alone. To prevent further damage, quit smoking, stay out of the sun, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

If you don't have any of these problems yet, consider yourself lucky! Always wear a hat, sunglasses, and broad-spectrum sunscreen, even on cloudy days, to enjoy healthy, glowing skin for years to come. If you are dealing with any of these issues, remember to treat your skin with love—it's all part of the aging process.