Back in the day, summer skincare routines involved little more than slathering on a handful of baby oil, dabbing a little zinc oxide on your nose, and soothing any subsequent sunburn discomfort with cold cream. Later, you probably reached for a low SPF (Sun Protection Factor) sunscreen lotion and relaxed under the shade of a beach umbrella rather than laying out on a towel. Now men and women in their 60s and older are looking for strategies that will significantly protect their skin from harmful UV rays when they enjoy outdoor senior living activities. With that in mind, here are some helpful summer skin care tips for seniors that will help you look great and stay healthy.

• Seek Out Shady Summer Fashion – Whether you’re out for a short walk or an afternoon on the golf course, make sure you enjoy it in the shade of a wide-brimmed hat or visor. Gardeners and fishermen can reach for hats with flaps that protect the back of the neck from damaging UV rays.


• When it comes to clothing, tightly woven fabrics like denim offer the most protection from the sun. However, if that’s too heavy you can opt for dark-colored, loose-fitting blouses, shirts, and dresses or lighter clothes made with fabrics treated with dyes and chemicals that provide UPF 50+ protection. The Ultraviolet Protection Factor is a certification for fabric designed to absorb UV radiation. Fabrics that offer the best shade for skin include nylon and polyester as well as natural fibers like silk and wool.


• Screen, Moisturize, and Exfoliate – Most dermatologists agree that the first and most important line of defense for skincare is sunscreen lotion. Choose one that features an SPF of at least 30, broad spectrum protection that blocks both UVA and UVB rays (both are ultraviolet rays, A having a longer wavelength and associated with skin aging, B having a shorter wavelength and associated with skin burning), and protection for the delicate skin on your lips. Most importantly, reapply it every 2 hours when you are out in the sun. Using a moisturizer with a high SPF is important as well and not just on your face. Smoothing on body moisturizers shortly after you step out of the bath or shower will help your skin look smoother and feel soft to the touch.
  
  Finally, make time to regularly use an exfoliator to help prevent clogged pores, dull skin, and some kinds of skin discoloration. But don’t go overboard or use exfoliator cream on sunburned skin. Senior complexions respond best to limited facial washing and being exfoliated just once or twice a week.


• Give Yourself a Sun-kissed Glow – Dermatologists say there is no such thing as a healthy ‘sun’ tan. The solution for those who want to enjoy the look of a healthy glow should try using self-tanners that safely tint a wide range of skin tones.

Following these summer skincare tips for seniors can help protect yourself from the harmful effects of sun exposure while allowing you to look and feel your best all summer long.

MorningStar Senior Living

If your loved one lives far from family and friends, it could be time to move into a senior living community near their adult children where they’ll have the companionship of fellow seniors and a compassionate service team. At MorningStar Senior Living, a 24/7 team is dedicated to offer care and hospitality services that meet each resident’s social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.