Lather Up: Lotion Tips for Aging Skin

Lotions are a big part of caring for aging skin. As people grow older, the way they take care of their skin changes as the structures that make skin supple start to diminish.

About Aging Skin

Skin is not just the largest organ in the body, it is also the first to show signs of aging. Over the years, the moisture, collagen and elastin that used to keep skin supple decreases. The skin starts to thin out, especially around the eyes and the cheeks, which can lead to fine lines and bags. The loss of collagen in aging skin leads to wrinkles and rucks, and a person may develop puffiness and bags around their eyes, neck, jawline and forehead. The lack of oils leads to patches of dryness, especially around the cheeks, the forehead, the eyes and the neck. Age or liver spots appear thanks to aging skin’s vulnerability to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Finally, the tiny capillaries that are found just beneath the skin tend to break and form spider or thread veins. These are found mostly on the person’s nose, cheeks and chin. In women, they may become noticeable around menopause. All of this is made worse if the skin was damaged over the years by sun, smoking or other toxins.

What Can Be Done

Fortunately, there are many things that can be done to soften the signs of aging, especially if they have begun well before those signs begin to show. They include applying sunscreen when the person goes outdoors, even if they have dark skin. Other good habits are drinking lots of water and eating healthy fats, such as those found in fatty fish such as salmon. Those with aging skin should also eat foods abundant in antioxidants such as green, leafy vegetables, tomatoes and peppers. Getting a good night’s sleep is also important for aging skin. But near the top of the list is moisturizing, and this means lotion.

What is Lotion?

Lotion is a thick liquid that is applied to the skin. It differs from cream or a gel in that it has more water, which means it can be spread out more thinly and less of it is needed to cover the skin. When a lotion is used as a moisturizer, it locks moisture into the skin and keeps it springy.

Dermatologists and aestheticians recommended using lotion at night right after showering and just before going to bed. The best ones gently stimulate the body to produce more collagen and soften the look of wrinkles. Here are the ingredients for two types of lotions:

Lotion for Aging Skin 1

• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup of water
• 2 tsp lanolin
• 1/2 ounce beeswax
• 20 drops of lavender essential oil
• 10 drops geranium essential oil
• 4 drops of jasmine essential oil

Place the oil and beeswax into a pot, and heat until the wax melts. Then, heat the water in another pot until it is just warm. Add to a blender and turn on high speed. Pull out the plug on the blender’s lid and slowly add the oil and beeswax mixture until it starts to solidify. Then, add the essential oils and stir in the very top while the blender is still running, being careful of the blades. When the mixture is emulsified, pour it into jars while it’s still warm.

Lotion for Aging Skin 2

• 1 tbsp cocoa butter
• 1 tsp argan oil
• 1 tsp beeswax
• 1/4 cup mineral water
• 1 tbs beeswax
• 1 tsp comfrey macerated oil
• 1 tsp glycerin
• 1 tsp aloe vera juice
• 3 drops chamomile essential oil
• 1 drop rose essential oil
• 1 drop rosemary essential oil

Melt the cocoa butter, oil and beeswax in a bain-marie until the wax melts. Heat the mineral water until it is just warm. Add the emulsifying wax, and stir until the wax is dissolved. Add the glycerin and aloe vera juice.

Add the warm water to the oil and beeswax mixture. Use a whisk or immersion blender until it’s smooth. Add the essential oils, and stir now and then as it cools down. Pour into a sterilized jar and leave to cool before putting on a lid. Keep in the fridge for up to a month and a half.

Though it may not turn the clock all the way back, regular care keeps aging skin healthy and postpones the worst wrinkles, lines and sags. Better yet, lotions to keep skin moisturized can be made easily and inexpensively in a person’s kitchen.