Gorgeous with Grace: Gentle Ways to Cleanse Your Aging Skin

Steph Davidson

Let’s be honest: maintaining clear, healthy skin does become harder with age.

Over time, our skin tends to lose elasticity and become prone to dryness and wrinkles, which can affect confidence and self-esteem. But once you know the basics behind what makes your skin happy and healthy, maintaining clarity and firmness becomes much easier. 

A big part of skincare is really about healthy lifestyle choices. Once you incorporate them into your routine, your skin will naturally respond.

Here are some timeless tips for gently cleansing your skin that may help you embrace age like an old friend.

Make A Cucumber Mask

One of the easiest and simplest ways to give your skin a loving pick-me-up is to master the fine art of the homemade face mask. There are a lot of different recipes available, but in terms of anti-aging, you can’t go wrong with the amazingly hydrating properties of the humble cucumber.

Cucumbers are loaded with nutrients that benefit the skin. Vitamin C and folic acid help stimulate cell growth, while antioxidants keep the skin firm, healthy, and bright. Plus, the high (96%!) water content provides you with a solid base for fresher, more hydrated skin.

To make a cucumber mask, simply blend half an unpeeled cucumber until it forms a soft, watery paste. Strain it through a fine sieve, and apply it to a clean, washed face. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off and gently patting dry. Voila!

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Drink Plenty Of Water

While we’re on the topic of skin and hydration, it would be a shame not to touch on the importance of drinking enough water. A big part of cleansing your skin means staying as hydrated as possible.

With age, our skin tends to become drier and less firm, leading to those lovely fine lines we call wrinkles. This is a fairly unavoidable aspect of human aging, but that doesn’t mean you can’t support your skin in slowing that process down.

The average adult woman should drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of water every day. If you can do that, your skin will naturally retain its clarity and elasticity. People who drink enough water are less likely to show the common signs of physical aging and can bounce back from scarring more quickly.

Be Gentle

Facial skin can be sensitive, which makes it prone to irritation or inflammation when handled roughly. While it’s still a good idea to exfoliate your skin regularly, be careful with how you go about it.

Instead of aggressively scrubbing your epidermis (outermost layer of skin), opt for making gentle circular motions with your hands that massage the skin and allow for more effective cleansing. When you dry your face after washing it, use a soft, clean towel to pat it dry, your skin will thank you for it.

Use A Rich Moisturizer

The right moisturizer makes all the difference to the texture and quality of your skin. If you have oily-prone skin, using a moisturizer might seem counterintuitive, but plenty of options can deliver deep skin hydration without causing oil buildup on your face.

If your skin tends to be drier, moisturizer is an absolute essential. After washing your face at the end of the day, apply a healthy amount of deep moisturizer to your face. This will help stimulate cell growth, tighten soft lines, and give your skin a happy-looking glow.

Exfoliate Regularly

Few things cleanse the skin like a good old exfoliation session. Throughout the week, your skin secretes sweat and oil while also collecting dead skin cells and dust, which can lead to unclear, acne-prone skin.

By exfoliating your skin every few days, you not only clean it of any residual dirt or bacteria, but you also wake up the blood and skin cells for healthier, tauter skin. You can use a store-bought exfoliant or make your own from scratch—whatever suits your level of skin sensitivity.

If you suffer from regular breakouts or adult acne, you can also use a prescription retinoid cream that encourages exfoliation and speeds up skin cell turnover. This type of cream not only exfoliates but also stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, both of which benefit aging skin.

Eat Skin-Savvy Foods

External cleansing starts with internal cleansing. By eating certain nutritionally-rich foods, you can support your skin on its aging journey and give it the necessary tools to look and feel healthy.

Some of the most skin-healthy foods you can use to supplement your skincare regime include: 

• Fatty fish – Packed with essential omega-3 oils, fatty fish like mackerel, sardines, salmon, and tuna provide you with the building blocks for bright, clear skin.
• Walnuts – These nuts contain a high volume of omega 6 oils, providing anti-inflammatory and skin restorative properties.
• Sweet potato – A great source of beta carotene, sweet potatoes help prevent cell death, dryness, and sun damage while giving your skin a healthy, warm glow.
• Avocado – Another source of healthy fat, avocados contain vitamin E, which is essential for skin clarity and cell reproduction.
• Green tea – This powerful tea helps combat the symptoms of aging and protects your skin from sun damage.

If you can include these amazing natural products in your diet, it will be much easier for you to maintain supple, clear skin over time.

Sweat (and then wash it off)

For your skin to stay happy and healthy, it needs a consistent flow of oxygenated blood. One of the most reliable ways to ensure that process stays active is to get moving.

We already know that exercise benefits the body and mind on multiple levels. But skincare is not often high up on the list of benefits. However,  it should be.

Through exercise, you activate your sweat glands and promote better circulation. Both of these processes facilitate the cleansing of internal systems and the release of toxins. A good old sweat will eliminate the toxins that agitate your dermis and promote clearer, more supple skin.

Learn To Love Your Skin

Being comfortable with growing older can be a difficult process, but the reward is well worth the effort.

Despite what some beauty brands continue to tell us, age is nothing to be afraid of, and you can still be happy, healthy, and gorgeous no matter how long you’ve walked the earth. Embrace the lines on your face, and remember that good health is worth far more than good looks.

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NOTE: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Nannocare. Nannocare is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the author of this article, or any of its subsidiaries or its affiliates.