skin concerns of mature women

Truth In Aging’s Real Beauty At Any Age Report is our new annual survey of our devoted members, and we are overwhelmed by the responses that have been flooding in. I am amazed by your candor, optimism and self-belief. It seems the Truth In Aging community truly knows itself to be beautiful at any age. We’ll be sharing results and trends for all age groups over the coming weeks, starting now with skincare concerns for 50-somethings and up.

Sagging skin is the number one concern

76% of 50-somethings told us that sagging skin is their top concern, as did 79% of 60-somethings. Well, at 54, I can relate to that. I don’t obsess too much about wrinkles, but the slightest indication of a drooping jowl will have me running for help. And, so it seems, sagging is the most prominent sign of aging for all of us.

Causes of sagging skin

  • The primary cause is loss of collagen and elastin, your skin's supportive connective tissue.
  • Facial muscles weaken with age.
  • For some, it’s a result of change in weight. Some people get saggy skin after losing weight. On the other hand, I know people who, as soon as they put on a few pounds, get flabby and saggy in the face. My husband is one of them – when he loses weight, he looks 10 years younger.
  • Levels of hyaluronic acid are low. Hyaluronic acid is a glue-like substance that helps to hold the skin's cells together. As we get older, the amount of hyaluronic acid among the skin cells starts to decline as a result of enzymatic activity.

What not to do for sagging skin

Don’t reach for the retinol or AHAs. They will thin and dry out the skin with overuse and over time will exacerbate the issue. Moisturizing offers only temporary respite and, in fact, over-moisturizing can drag older skin even more, as well as blocking pores.

Help for sagging skin

  • Copper peptides - Studies have shown that copper peptides promote collagen and elastin production
  • Matrixyl and Matrixyl 3000 - In early 2013, University of Reading researchers found that Matrixyl can nearly double the amount of the protein collagen needed to give skin its elasticity.
  • ChronNOLine – This is based on tetrapeptide-3, which is derived from a growth factor. It is supposed to increase collagen lll by 34% as well as laminin production by 26% and laminin 5 by 49%. Laminins are part of the skin’s scaffolding.
  • Syn-Hycan – This stimulates hyaluronan (HA) synthesis and expression of the proteoglycans, decorin and lumican. 
  • Ultrasound – Ultrasound waves pass from the treatment head to the skin, causing a vibration of the surrounding tissues (particularly those that contain collagen) which boosts fibroblastic activity and collagen formation.
  • Microcurrent – A subsensory electric current delivers a pulse to the facial muscles and stimulates them and the surrounding tissue.

Products for sagging skin

Medik8 Firewall ($145 in the shop) first impressed me four years ago, and it still impresses to this day (and not just me — the feedback from the Truth In Aging community has been super positive). Medik8 Firewall combines some potent anti-agers, including copper peptides, matrixyl 3000, liprochroman-6 and niacinamide. It comes in a snazzy, dual chamber bottle so that the copper is mixed with the other actives just before application.

La Vie Celeste Eclairage Restorative Serum ($98.50 in the shop) contains LVC's signature ChroNOline for firming and lifting. 

Your Best Face Control ($160 in the shop) uses peptides and antioxidants to focus on improving elasticity

Truth Renew Ultrasonic & LED Anti-Aging System ($109 in the shop) and Ultra Renew PLUS Ultrasonic & LED Anti-Aging System ($159 in the shop) Truth Renew is an exclusive at-home device with both ultrasonic and LED modes to offer the very best anti-aging treatment. Ultra Renew PLUS offers three modes that can be used at the same time for maximum efficiency and effectiveness, or separately. 

Myotone Facial Toning Device ($279) is an at-home microcurrent device that stimulates and tones facial muscles, reducing the signs of aging.

Wrinkles are the number two concern

By our 50s, concerns about fine lines have given way to wrinkles. Turns out 66% of 50-somethings cited wrinkles as their second major skin concern as did 70% of 60-somethings.

Causes of wrinkles

  • Free radicals are electron-hungry molecules or oxidants that trigger all sorts of havoc, including the breakdown of collagen fibers.
  • Glucose (sugar protein) is facilitated by free-radicals and leads to age-related glycation end-products (AGEs), which irreversibly alter skin proteins so that they are more brittle and less elastic. 
  • Ultraviolet radiation (too much sun, in other words) causes DNA damage, damage to other molecules in the skin, and the generation of free radicals.

Help for wrinkles

  • Antioxidant enzymes and molecules protect us from free radicals, such as vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoid pigments. A great carotenoid is astaxanthin, which is meant to be hundreds of times more powerful than vitamin C or E.
  • Epidermal growth factors, which are proven wound healers, can mend damaged fibroblasts and boost collagen.
  • LED light – especially red light – boosts collagen.
  • Antioxidants and sunscreen provide essential protection.

Products for wrinkles

E’shee Serum Vitalizing C ($119 in the shop). A Five Best vitamin C pick for the third year running, E’shee has 20% vitamin C, which is supposed to remain active in the skin for up to 48 hours.

Your Best Face Advanced CE Concentrate ($50 in the shop) has no less than three forms of vitamin C, amounting to a concentration of 8.7%.

Kenneth Mark MD Antioxidant Hydrating Cream ($120 in the shop) contains astaxanthin to repair and prevent signs of aging as well as damage caused by dehydration, sun and pollution.

Stemulation Elevate Eye Cream ($75) is a hydrating eye cream that combines stem cell growth factors with antioxidants and peptides.

Suntegrity Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen and Primer SPF 30 ($45 in the shop) is a 3-in-1 facial moisturizer, sunscreen and makeup primer formulated with astaxanthin and plenty of other antioxidants.

Read more:

Report: 30s and 40s Top Skin Concerns

Marta Wohrle is an anti-aging skin care and beauty expert and the founder/CEO of Truth In Aging. Marta is dedicated to uncovering the truth behind anti-aging product claims.