Fight common age-related skin problems

When you think about your aging skin, you probably worry most about wrinkles. But there's a lot more to be aware of. We'll cover other common skin troubles and how to deal with them so that you can keep your skin looking young and healthy.

• Young skin typically turns over every 26 - 42 days, but this rate begins slowing at age 30. By your eighties, your skin takes 50 percent longer to renew itself, which can lead to dryness, irritation, and a less attractive skin appearance. In some cases, red patches of eczema can occur.
• Additionally, your oil glands produce less oil as you age, which contributes to skin dryness.
• Your skin thins as you get older, making it more sensitive to oils and creams and more prone to the itchiness and rashes of contact dermatitis.
• Sun exposure creates an inflammatory reaction that breaks down the skin's collagen. By avoiding excessive direct sunlight and using sunscreen, you can reduce your skin cancer risk and prevent your skin from developing a leathery appearance.

• Rosacea: Rosacea starts out looking like blushing or ordinary skin redness, but eventually, tiny pimples and noticeable blood vessels may appear, particularly on your nose and cheeks. Sun damage is one of the main causes of rosacea.
• Shingles: Shingles are a painful skin condition in which the nerves just under the skin become inflamed. It's caused by the chickenpox virus, which can lay dormant in your system for years until your immune system weakens. You should treat shingles seriously: about 20 percent of people 60 and older who get shingles are left with a painful condition called postherpetic neuralgia.

Your skin is the largest organ your body has, and it's exposed to a huge amount of environmental stress. Taking care of it is important. Use these pointers to avoid common skin stressors and keep your skin healthy and radiant.