Our skin is the most apparent indication of our age. 

And as we grow older, the production of collagen — the most abundant protein in our body responsible for maintaining our skin’s structure, strength, and elasticity — decreases, making way for the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. 

The skin also becomes thinner and loses water more easily. Certain medical conditions and medications can degrade your skin’s condition as well. This makes cuts, bruises, and scratches longer to heal. 

Prolonged sunlight exposure over the years, especially sans sunblock or sunscreen application, can also take its toll on your skin, increasing skin discoloration and age spots to mention a few. 

The good news is that there are easy, and mostly economical, fixes you can do to delay your skin’s aging process and even make you feel better and look younger. 

Here are skincare recommendations from the American Academy of Dermatology or AAD for when you’re in your 60s or 70s:

Consider bathing time, temperature, and products wisely

• Time: Take baths or showers ranging from 5 to 10 minutes. 

• Temperature: Ensure that the water temperature is warm only and not hot as the latter can strip the skin of its natural oils, which help keep it moist

• Cleaning agent: Be it a soap, body wash, or cleanser, make sure that it’s gentle, fragrance-free, and moisturizing. Among effective moisturizing ingredients are lanolin, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin.

Also, skip the bath oils to prevent injuries from slips and falls. 

• Lathering implement: Use a soft cloth instead of buffs and brushes to avoid your skin from being irritated

• After-shower routine:

• Drying: Gently pat your skin after bathing. Then, while still damp, apply  moisturizer to better hydrate your skin. 

• Protecting: Apply fragrance-free moisturizer within three minutes of bathing. You may also apply it throughout the day to restore your skin’s protective barrier and ease its dryness. 

For very dry skin, use an ointment as it retains water better than creams.

Put on sun protection

A little bit of sunshine for Vit D production is good, but a lot can damage your skin in myriad ways. So be sure to:

• Clothing: Wear lightweight material that covers your skin, from long-sleeved shirts to pats to accessories like hats and sunglasses with UV protection. Some clothing materials are made with ultraviolet protection factor or UPF. 

For your hands, it’s best to wear gloves, especially when gardening as it can protect your skin from being irritated by chemicals or being accidentally scratched or wounded by tools.

• Shade: The sun’s rays are strongest from 10 am to 2 pm. Seek shade as much as you can when gardening or doing outdoor activities.

• Lather: Apply water-resistant sunscreen or sunblock with SPF 30 or higher on parts of your skin that won’t be covered by clothing. Using a broad-spectrum (covers UVA and UVB rays) sunscreen is ideal.

Have suspicious moles or skin imperfections checked

Starting at age 50, the risk of getting skin cancer and pre-cancer increases. Initially, you can perform a self-check by following the procedures and guidelines here.

In the event of skin cancer, removing it is the only treatment you’ll need if it’s detected early. If it spreads, however, then it will require more complex means of treatment. 

According to AAD, “If you notice a spot that is different from others, or that changes, itches, or bleeds, you should make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist.”