Why Does Skin Get Drier With Age? What’s Changing - and What Helps

 

 

Maybe your skin was never particularly dry before, but lately your moisturizer seems to disappear almost as soon as you apply it. Or your skin feels tighter after cleansing, looks a little less plump, or just seems to need more moisture than it used to.

That change is very normal as skin matures. Our skin doesn't produce and hold onto moisture exactly the same way throughout our lives, and several of those changes can happen at the same time.

What's Actually Changing in Your Skin?

One of the biggest changes is oil production. Sebum—the natural oil produced by our sebaceous glands—helps keep the skin soft and provides some protection against moisture loss. As we get older, we tend to produce less of it. Hormonal changes, particularly the decline in estrogen around menopause, can make dryness even more noticeable.

The skin barrier also changes with age. I like to think of the barrier as the part of your skin responsible for keeping the good stuff in and the not-so-good stuff out. It contains natural lipids, including ceramides, cholesterol and fatty acids, that help prevent water from escaping too easily.

As the amount and balance of those lipids change, the skin may not hold onto moisture quite as efficiently. At the same time, the skin's natural moisturizing factors and ability to retain water can change too. This combination of less oil and less efficient water retention is why mature skin can start feeling noticeably drier, even if you never considered yourself to have dry skin before.

This is also why the moisturizer you've used for years can suddenly feel like it isn't doing enough. The product didn't necessarily change. Your skin did.

Dryness and Dehydration Aren't Quite the Same Thing

This is also where the difference between dry and dehydrated skin becomes important.

Dry skin is lacking oil. It often feels rough or flaky and tends to do better with richer moisturizers and nourishing oils. Dehydrated skin is lacking water and can feel tight, dull or less plump. Even oily skin can become dehydrated.

As skin matures, those two issues can overlap. You may have less natural oil protecting the skin while also having a harder time keeping water in it. If that's the case, simply applying a thicker and thicker moisturizer may not give you the result you're looking for. Your skin may benefit from hydration as well as richer moisture.

Your Cleanser Matters More Than You Might Think

When skin starts feeling dry, I would take a look at cleansing before adding a lot of new products.

That tight, squeaky-clean feeling after washing your face isn't something you need to aim for. If your cleanser is removing too much of the oil your skin already has less of, you're starting your routine at a disadvantage. As skin gets drier, switching to a creamier or more moisturizing cleanser can sometimes make a surprisingly noticeable difference.

Think Hydration First, Then Moisture

Hydration and moisture work together, but they don't do exactly the same thing.

Hydrating ingredients, often called humectants, help attract and hold water in the skin. This can help dehydrated skin feel softer, look more plump, and relieve some of that tight, thirsty feeling.

Your moisturizer adds another layer of support by helping soften the skin and reduce moisture loss. For dry, mature skin, a richer moisturizer may work better than the lightweight lotion you used when your skin produced more of its own oil.

And if your skin still feels like it needs more, especially at night, a facial oil can be layered over moisturizer to add nourishment and help support that softer, more supple feeling.

Don't Forget About Your Active Products

This is one I think is especially important because it's easy to assume that more treatment means better results.

Retinoids, exfoliating acids and other active ingredients can be great for mature skin, but they can also contribute to dryness when they're used too frequently, used on the wrong skin type or when several are layered together. If your skin suddenly feels constantly dry, flaky or irritated, take a look at the entire routine before deciding you need another moisturizing product.

Sometimes backing off an exfoliating product or giving your skin more recovery time between nights you use active ingredients and serums makes more difference than adding another cream.

A Simple Approach for Dry, Mature Skin

Start with a gentle cleanser and add hydration while the skin is still receptive to it. Hydrate Serum is a good option when skin feels tight or dehydrated because it helps replenish hydration while also providing soothing support.

Follow with a moisturizer that matches how dry your skin actually feels. Moisture Restore is the richer option in the Demme Rae line and is a good fit when skin feels dry, rough or in need of more nourishment.

If you'd like a little more at night, Luxe Drops is a facial oil that can be layered over moisturizer for an extra boost of nourishment and softness.

You may not need all three. Some skin needs more water, some needs more oil, and plenty of mature skin benefits from a combination of both. The important part is recognizing that the routine that worked well five or ten years ago may need a few adjustments now.

Skin changes. Your skincare can change along with it - and sometimes a few small changes are all it takes to make your skin feel like itself again.