As we age, one of the most noticeable changes our bodies make is to the skin. The skin is our largest organ, and as such, changes tend to be more noticeable than other more silent issues. But this doesn’t mean these changes are unsurprising.
On the contrary. If you’re over 70 years of age, or caring for someone who is, you may notice some changes in aging skin, like fine lines, age spots, and reduced hydration. These are all natural consequences of aging.
But when should you have your skin checked out for issues like skin cancer, and when can you deal with problems yourself at home? Are there any natural or medical treatments for aging skin? And what can you do to both look your best and take care of your most visible organ?
At Haven Health, we understand the skincare needs of seniors in Arizona. Below, you’ll find some excellent tips for how to maintain skin health with medical skincare and other routines. Whether you’re beginning a new routine or thinking about making a change, we’re here to help at any age.
Understanding Aging Skin
In general, the older we get, the more prone our skin is to diverging from its healthiest. The pace of changes in our skin tends to increase when we reach 70 years old. A number of changes occur making our skin less attractive and more uncomfortable, including the following:
- Thinner skin: As we age, our skin thins, especially in the outer layer, called the epidermis. This makes our skin more fragile and prone to cuts, tears, and bruises.
- Dryness: As we age, our skin dries due to our bodies producing less oil, which serves to hydrate the skin.
- Age spots: Age spots, sometimes known as liver spots, occur because of years of exposure to the sun.
- Loss of hyaluronic acid: Hyaluronic acid is one of the most important building blocks to healthy, youthful skin. As we age, our bodies produce less of it, and our skin becomes harder and less supple.
- Loss of collagen: Collagen is another important building block of healthy, young-looking skin. Collagen helps your skin hold its shape. As we age, we produce less of it, leading to wrinkles and loose-looking skin.
- Slower cell turnover: As we age, our bodies create cells to replace our old ones at a slower pace. This is especially apparent in the skin, where dead cells are replaced more slowly, making skin look dull.
Daily Skin Care Routine Essentials
If you would like to keep both the look and health of youthful skin, or want to help someone you’re caring for keep healthy and young, a skincare routine is the best way to keep looking your best.
A few key elderly skin care products are essential:
- Gentle cleanser: When choosing a facial or skin cleanser, look for products that are “fragrance-free” and won’t strip the skin of its natural oils. Choose products that say they are hydrating or for sensitive skin.
- Moisturizer: Moisturizers are great products for combating dryness in the skin. Choose products that are hypoallergenic and don’t contain heavy oils that can clog the skin cells. Good products often are made with shea butter, coconut oil, or glycerin. Use at least twice a day for maximum effect.
- Sunscreen: Sunscreen may be the most important thing you put on your skin. Wear sunscreen every time you’ll be in the sun for more than just a few minutes at a time. Choose at least SPF 30. Remember, even if it’s cloudy, the sun can still affect your skin.
- Eye cream: Eye cream is optional, but can be a great choice for toning these “windows to the soul.” Eye cream is specifically formulated for the delicate skin around the eyes, and can help deal with puffiness, redness, dryness and other problems around the most noticeable area of the face.
As with all of these products, consistency is key. Keeping to a schedule helps maintain skin health and combat fine lines and wrinkles no matter your age. Over time, your skin should improve.
Natural and Medical Skincare Treatments
If you’re just starting a skincare routine, there are a number of safe, gentle, natural treatments and lifestyle habits that you can adopt for maximum skin health.
- Hydrating ingredients: Look for products that contain substances like hyaluronic acid, which can help to replace this important compound that is lost through aging.
- Natural emollients: Emollients is just a fancy word for moisturizer. In this case, look for natural moisturizers like shea butter, almond oil, cocoa butter, and oat-based creams. These are all great natural moisturizers that have been effective for many years.
- Balanced nutrition: One of the most overlooked facets of skincare is eating a skin-healthy diet. The best diet for the skin includes foods with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A, C, and E. Omega-3’s can come from foods such as salmon and nuts, and vitamins can be ingested from things such as milk, dark leafy greens, seeds, and avocado.
If you’re looking for more advanced treatments, you may want to consider medical skincare options for aging skin.
You should consider:
- Non-invasive treatments: Non-invasive treatments can include micronutrient therapy or light therapy. These may help improve the skin without the use of harsh procedures.
- Dermatologist-recommended serums or creams: Your dermatologist can prescribe creams or serums that may be stronger or more effective than those you can find over-the-counter in the drug store. These may include products containing peptides or niacinamide.
- Retinoids: Retinoids are products derived from Vitamin A. They help improve cell turnover and can increase collagen production. However, they must be used cautiously on the skin of seniors. If you’re interested in this treatment, speak with your dermatologist.
Sun Protection and Age Spot Prevention
Perhaps the most important thing you can do for your skin is protect it from the sun. Always wear broad-spectrum SPF, take a hat, and look out for shade, especially in the Arizona heat.
Even when it’s cloudy, the sun can damage your skin. Even if you’ll only be outside for ten minutes, you should wear sunscreen. Skin cancer is deadly, and taking precautions will help you stay safe.
Not only will consistent protection minimize new age spots and protect skin integrity, it will help protect against cancer.
Targeted Care for Eyes and Delicate Areas
One area you may want to target specifically is the eyes. The skin around our eyes is some of the thinnest and most delicate on the body. Because of this, problems can show up here to a greater degree than elsewhere on the body.
Common problems around the eyes include puffiness, dryness, redness or discoloration, and “crows feet” or wrinkles at the outside of the eye.
A specialized eye cream can help address all of these problems. Look for products that are hypoallergenic, hydrating, and dermatologist-approved. Avoid heavy, oil-filled products that can clog your pores.
We advise gentle application around the thin eyelid and under-eye areas. Use your finger to dab the cream or ointment around the eye, but don’t rub. This can make the problem worse. Use morning and night for best results.
Healthy Lifestyle Habits for Skin Health
Your lifestyle will also affect the health and look of your skin. Staying hydrated, eating healthy, and getting enough exercise can all improve your skin from the inside out.
Men should try to drink at least four liters of water per day, and women at least three. You should also consider the use of indoor humidifiers if you live in a dry climate like Arizona. This will help keep your skin from drying out and make wrinkles and blemishes less prominent.
Your diet should include many antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3’s can be gleaned from foods, such as salmon and nuts, and antioxidants appear in foods, such as grapes, beans, and chocolate.
Finally, exercise is just as important to skin health as hydration and eating right. Gentle activity and movement promotes circulation and skin vitality. You should aim to get at least 150 minutes per week of activity.
When To Seek Professional Help
Not all changes in the skin are a part of the normal aging process. It’s important to know when to contact a dermatologist or your doctor.
If you have:
- Age spots that change in shape or color
- Significant wrinkles that go beyond the normal process of aging
- Skin irritation that is persistent
- Rashes that don’t heal within a week or two
- Dry patches that crack or even bleed
It may be time to consult a doctor. You should also look out for signs of skin cancer.
These include:
- New or changing growths on the skin, especially those that are asymmetric
- Growths that have irregular borders
- Growths that vary in color
- Growths that are larger than 6mm in diameter
- A sore that doesn’t heal
- A shiny bump
- A mole that bleeds or is unusually itchy
If you have any of these symptoms, you should speak with a doctor right away.
One excellent way to see a doctor about any skincare issues is through Haven Health’s consultation options with medical professionals. Our doctors and medical staff can offer tailored skincare advice for all of our residents.
Contact Haven Health for the Best Elder Care in Arizona
So, what is the best treatment for 70-year-old skin? It’s having a skincare routine that hydrates and moisturizes, it’s wearing broad-spectrum protection when in the sun, and leading a skin-healthy lifestyle. Gentle treatments are always best.
And if you’re struggling with skincare in old age, if you’re looking for somewhere wonderful to spend your golden years, or you would like to help a loved one age gracefully, reach out to Haven Health today.
Sources:
Strouphauer, E., et al. (2023). Functional Foods in Dermatology.
The Role of Peptides in Skincare. (2025).
Wohlrab, J., et al. (2014). Niacinamide – Mechanisms of Action and its Topical Use in Dermatology.