As you sail into your 60s and beyond, skincare is more of a necessity than ever. You may want to tackle increased signs of aging such as sun spots, an uneven skin tone, and sagging skin. While some of these symptoms may have started in your 30s, your skin's natural aging process and extrinsic factors like sun exposure are likely to create more fine lines and deep wrinkles.

Another predominant factor that accounts for visible signs of aging is postmenopause. Hormonal fluctuations during this period in life can impact your skin greatly. In this article, we'll detail the different ways postmenopause affects your skin and the best anti-aging skincare products to address these skin concerns.

How Does Postmenopause Affect Your Skin in Your 60s?

Menopause is a natural part of the aging process and can be separated into three stages:

• Perimenopause: The period that precedes menopause and usually starts in your late 30s to 40s.
• Menopause: Occurs in your late 40s to early 50s.
• Postmenopause: This is the period after menopause and it begins from your 50s and onward.

Given that the average American's life expectancy is around 79 years, postmenopause is becoming an increasingly important issue in personal well-being.

The ovary is responsible for producing estrogen, progesterone, and androgens. Estrogen and progesterone are "female" hormones that help maintain the health of your reproductive organs. Conversely, androgens are known as "male" hormones responsible for your bone density and sexual health.

During menopause, the ovary stops producing progesterone while extremely low levels of estrogen are synthesized. The sharp decline of estrogen and progesterone continues into postmenopause, resulting in significant skin changes.

1. Increased Fine Lines and Deep Wrinkles

Signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles have increased in number and depth since you entered your 60s. The culprit is none other than your estrogen-deficient skin.

According to a 2019 study in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology, due to estrogen deficiency, 30% of your skin's collagen may be lost during the first few years of postmenopause. Expect this collagen decline to continue at 2.1% every year thereafter.

Since collagen is primarily responsible for keeping your skin smooth and supple, it's no wonder that lower collagen production deepens existing creases and produces new fine lines.

2. Increased Skin Sagging 

A dearth of estrogen and progesterone can also worsen skin sagging. Based on a 1998 study by the Yale University School of Medicine, estrogen deficiency is linked to aging elastin fibers in your skin, creating looser skin.

A 2005 study published in the British Journal of Dermatology discovered that the application of a topical 2% progesterone cream on postmenopausal skin increases skin elasticity. This suggests the lack of progesterone during postmenopause may contribute to increased skin sagging.

3. Increased Skin Dryness 

If you've noticed your skin being increasingly dry lately, you’re not overthinking. 

A 1995 study by the Laboratory of Dermometrology in Belgium observed that menopausal participants who received transdermal estrogen showed greater water-holding capacity in their skin barrier. As such, insufficient estrogen levels result in lower moisture retention, leading to drier skin.

4. Acne and Hyperpigmentation

Besides age-related hyperpigmentation such as dark spots and an uneven skin tone, postmenopause can also contribute to acne blemishes in mature skin types.

During menopause, a 2019 study in the International Journal of Women's Health highlighted a condition known as hyperandrogenism — increased androgen levels that give rise to menopausal acne. This type of acne may continue into the postmenopausal period and leave behind unwanted blemishes.

5. Thinner Skin

A scarcity of estrogen may also present itself in the form of thinner, crepey-looking skin. According to a 1987 study in the Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, your skin's thickness decreases by "1-2% per year" postmenopause. This also makes your skin more vulnerable to wounds, dryness, and fine lines.

6. Other Factors to Consider

Apart from the direct effects of postmenopause, a slower cell turnover rate allows dead skin cells to build up, contributing to dull and dry skin. Coupled with extrinsic factors like chronic sun damage and smoking, this could lead to greater signs of aging such as more age spots and deep wrinkles.

The Best Skincare Routine for Your 60s

To combat the effects of hormonal deficiency and skin aging, the best skincare routine for your 60s focuses on anti-aging products. The following topicals promote collagen production, smooth fine lines, and hydrate your skin.

1. Exfoliating Cleanser

Since your skin's cell turnover rate has slowed significantly, start your skincare routine with an exfoliating cleanser. This will do wonders in sloughing off dead skin cells to reveal a brighter, more radiant complexion.

YORA's Clarify Face Cleanser fits into your skincare routine perfectly with its gentle, exfoliating formula of glycolic and salicylic acids. These chemical exfoliants also fade away dark spots and blemishes for a clearer skin tone.

2. Brightening and Hydrating Serums

For a more radiant complexion, consider serums with brightening ingredients like niacinamide or retinol. Our Defence Face Concentrate is a single-use application that contains retinol and lipochroman® to brighten your skin and reduce fine lines for a more youthful complexion.

To replenish your skin's hydration levels, use a hydrating serum like the Revitalise Face Serum. It contains mineral-rich Swiss glacial water to provide deep skin hydration. The added hyaluronic acid blend of PRIMALHYAL 50 and PrimalHyal™ 300 also intensely moisturizes mature skin to minimize the appearance of fine lines and deep wrinkles.

3. Firming Cream

To tighten up sagging skin and smooth out deep wrinkles, incorporate YORA's Conditioning Face Balm into your daily routine. This firming skincare product is infused with Suberlift™ to smooth and firm your skin. The inclusion of rich emollients like shea butter and sea buckthorn oil also gives this wrinkle cream intense moisturizing properties. Last but not least, CoQ10 and vitamin C are also added to diminish the appearance of fine lines.

4. Anti-Aging Moisturizers 

Since dry skin is one of the major issues faced in your 60s, include a rich moisturizer into your skincare routine. Choose an anti-aging cream that contains ceramides that act as natural moisturizing factors in the skin. According to a 2018 study in the Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology publication, applying a ceramide cream significantly increases skin hydration levels.

The YORA Rebalance Night Face Moisturiser is the best face cream to combat increased dryness in mature skin types. This night cream contains a trio of ceramides (Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 II, and Ceramide 1), shea butter, and jojoba oil to not only hydrate your skin but also protect your skin barrier.

During the daytime, use a lightweight anti-aging cream like the YORA Revitalise Face Moisturiser. With added tetrapeptides, this gel moisturizer helps boost collagen production for reduced fine lines and a smoother skin tone.

5. Facial Oil

Besides loading up on rich creams and moisturizers, facial oils are great for providing long-lasting hydration to dry, mature skin. The YORA Replenish Face Oil uses ANTILEUKINE 6®, an anti-aging active that promotes collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) to reduce skin sagging and deep wrinkles. ANTILEUKINE 6® also helps to strengthen your skin barrier and boost hydration levels.

6. Eye Cream

The delicate skin around your eyes is the first to show visible signs of aging. Use an anti-aging eye cream like the YORA Define Eye Contour to minimize the appearance of fine lines, under-eye bags, and dark circles. It employs antioxidant-rich seaweed extract, a notable anti-ager that reduces wrinkle depth.

7. Overnight Face Mask

To seal in all your skincare products with an extra hydrating layer, end your night time routine with an overnight face mask.

The YORA Revitalise Face Mask is formulated with Axolight®, a solution rich in arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides with lightening properties. Compared to the well-known arbutin, Axolight® has been proven to be more effective in lightening the skin. As such, this mask will help to fade away dark spots and blemishes during your beauty rest.

8. Sunscreen 

In a 2014 study by the Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology in Germany, sun exposure was proven to decrease collagen and elastin content in the skin. To prevent further loss of collagen in mature skin, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 and above.

To maximize the photoprotective powers of your sunscreen, apply a vitamin C serum beforehand. Vitamin C provides added protection against UVB rays when used together with sunscreens, a 1996 study by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center points out.

Other Skincare Tips to Follow in Your 60s:

• Be gentle with your skin. As mentioned earlier, your skin at this point is thinner and more fragile. Too much force can easily result in more fine lines and worsen the issue of sagging skin. Use gentle pressure when removing your makeup and applying your topicals to prevent this from happening.
• Don't forget your neck. Besides your face, the skin on your neck is also susceptible to reduced firmness and increased fine lines. When applying your skincare products, make sure to share the love with your neck too.
• Eat an antioxidant-rich diet. Consuming healthy foods rich in antioxidants has been known to promote skin health, per a 2012 study published in the Dermato-Endocrinology Journal. This not only replenishes essential vitamins that may be lost through postmenopause and aging, but it also helps in a clearer, more radiant skin tone. In fact, phytoestrogens, plant-based compounds with estrogen-like properties, are present in some cereals, vegetables, soy products, and herbs. Phytoestrogens can relieve certain vasomotor perimenopausal symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats. To maximize health benefits, choose real, fresh foods over supplements and processed foods.
• Go for a routine skin cancer exam. The risk of skin cancer increases significantly as you age, particularly in your 60s. If you noticed abnormal changes in your skin such as a weirdly discolored sun spot, it's best to err on the safe side by scheduling an appointment with your dermatologist or doctor.

Aging Gracefully in Your 60s

Your 60s is a time of less stress as you release the reins on demanding priorities like work and children. It's also the time when you have more freedom to indulge in yourself and let your needs be the utmost priority. With less stress and more freedom, your 60s is the perfect season to ensure your skin looks better than ever.

Visible signs of aging need not be a dark spot on this otherwise golden chapter in life. Understanding the changes your skin is going through right now is essential to creating the best skincare routine for your 60s and beyond. Look for collagen-enhancing, wrinkle-reducing, and skin-hydrating products to slow down the hands of time.

Besides that, redefine your mindset towards aging. Look at this life stage as the “makeover years” — a time to look good and feel even better about yourself. Celebrate the gains you’ve accumulated over time, be it greater wisdom, a rewarding career, or memorable times with your close ones. The experience and lessons learned in your younger decades are also the ideal tools to help you better shape the next chapter of life.

Recognizing the strengths you have now will empower you to feel good about yourself. By dedicating the time to learn and explore new things, these golden years set the ideal stage for greater personal growth. It’s time to make the best version of yourself a reality rather than a possibility.

To sum it up, a good skincare routine, a healthy lifestyle, and a positive mindset will make aging gracefully an effortless process.