Discover Four Ways Seniors Can Keep Skin Hydrated in Winter

Skin care is important at any age but for older people it is essential for overall good health. Aging skin is especially sensitive to harsh winter climates. If you are a senior or know one, there are ways to keep skin hydrated and healthy in the winter months.

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Discover Four Ways Seniors Can Keep Skin Hydrated in Winter
3 Min Read October 28th, 2020

The largest organ in our body is our skin. As we get older, we will see changes in our skin. Skin care is important at any age but for older people it is essential for overall good health. Over time the skin becomes drier and thinner. For those who are older the skin injures easily, but it heals more slowly.

Older people are prone to several skin problems, including itching, scaling, and dryness. However, some people may face much more serious skin conditions, including infections and ulcerations.

Aging skin is especially sensitive to harsh winter climates. There are a few ways seniors can keep their skin hydrated in winter and preserve skin health.

Hydration

Proper hydration is crucial for healthy skin—especially when you’re a senior. Without it, your cells simply don’t have the strength to respond to damage, and even small injuries can become larger health problems.

For this reason, you must know how to best protect yourself as we enter the coldest and driest months of the year. These are four ways seniors can keep their skin hydrated in winter and maintain their overall skin health.

Set Up a Home Humidifier

As the outdoor temperatures drop, so does the amount of humidity in the air. Humidity is one of the leading environmental factors that affect a person’s skin. The lower the humidity, the harder it is for cells to hold onto moisture, and the drier your skin will become as a result. Because of this, it’s recommended that you set up your home to allow your skin to absorb better and retain fluids. Humidifiers greatly help with this by reducing the amount of dryness in the air.

Keep the Thermostat Low

It’s also important that you keep your thermostat set to a lower temperature during the winter months. Your first instinct might be to turn up the heat at the first sign of a chill, but this actually only serves to dry out the air around you further. This dry air fosters additional fluid loss in the skin and leaves it looking cracked or flaky. So, if you’re feeling chilly, wear layers of clothing and put a few blankets on your lap—but don’t raise the temperature past 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Apply a Moisturizer Every Day

Another way seniors can keep their skin hydrated in winter is to apply moisturizer regularly. These formulas are designed to infuse your cells with the essential oils that help them stay strong. They also work to attract and retain additional moisture from the air around you. This way, your skin always has at least a bit of hydration and remains capable of healing itself. For the most optimal effect, try purchasing a moisturizer catered specifically to aging skin.

Bundle Up When You’re Going Outdoors

Make sure you’re putting on extra layers of clothing when you go outdoors. Direct contact with the dry winter air can irritate the skin and cause it to release the moisture you’ve been working so hard to maintain. 

Exposed skin is also susceptible to winter injuries such as frostbite. Therefore, it’s vital that you protect yourself by keeping most areas of your skin covered and warm.

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About the Author

Mallory Knee is a freelance writer for multiple online publications where she can showcase her affinity for all things beauty and fashion. She particularly enjoys writing for communities of passionate women who come together for a shared interest and empower one another in the process. In her free time, you can find Mallory trying a fun new dinner recipe, practicing calligraphy, or hanging out with her family.

LTC News Contributor Mallory Knee

Mallory Knee

Contributor since September 25th, 2020

Editor's Note

Do you have a strategy to improve your quality of life as you age? Have you given this any thought at all? Too many people avoid going to the doctor, taking action to improve their physical and mental health and plan for the consequences of aging.

If you are in your 40s or 50s, take action now.

  • See your doctor annually
  • Be sure to get complete blood work, including a comprehensive metabolic panel 
  • Don't ignore colonoscopies and other recommended testing
  • Complete a will, including a living will
  • Discuss aging with your family
  • Contribute to your employer's 401(k) or other retirement plans
  • Add Long-Term Care Insurance to your plan

Most people get Long-Term Care Insurance in their 50s. The younger and healthier you are, the more affordable a policy will be. Delaying will make it more difficult to get coverage and increase the cost.

An LTC policy will ensure you have access to quality care services, including home care. When you have the resources to pay for quality care, your family can concentrate on being family instead of becoming caregivers.

Professional Help to Ensure You Have the Right Plan

There are several top-rated insurance companies that offer long-term care solutions. Each insurance company has its own underwriting standards, and premiums can vary over 100% between insurance companies. LTC Insurance is custom designed. A qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist will match you with the best company to save you money. A specialist will put together accurate quotes from all the top companies based on your age, health, family history, and other factors.

Accurate Answers to Your Questions About Long-Term Care Planning

LTC NEWS has many tools and resources. These resources can help you in your research as you prepare for your future retirement and plan for the costs and burdens of aging and declining health.

Parent’s Health Declining? Do They Need Care Now?

Get quality care for your parent or parents if they require it. LTC NEWS can assist. We've put together a few comprehensive guides to help you along the way.

Find help locating quality caregivers or long-term care facilities and get recommendations for a proper care plan, whether a person has a policy. - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim.

These guides can be very helpful as you try to find appropriate long-term care services for a loved one:

If your loved one is fortunate enough to have Long-Term Care Insurance, make sure they use it. Families may wait, believing that they can save the benefits for a rainy day. It is not a good idea to put off using available Long-Term Care Insurance benefits.

Today's Reverse Mortgages Can Benefit Older Families

Some people have a large portion of their savings in their homes. With the help of reverse mortgages, you can find ways to pay for quality in-home care, pay for LTC Insurance, and even assist with cash flow during retirement.

Yes, today's reverse mortgages may be the perfect way to pay for a Long-Term Care Insurance policy or even cover the cost of in-home care if you or a loved one is currently in need.

Asking an expert with your questions will help you learn more. Mike Banner, a columnist for LTC NEWS and the host of the television program "62 Who Knew," will respond to your inquiries about long-term care, reverse mortgages, aging, and health.

- Just "Ask Mike." - Reverse Mortgages | LTC News.

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