5 Skincare Tips For Active Seniors: Hiking, Swimming and Outdoor Adventures

From coastal walks and sea swims to woodland hikes and cycling - more and more active seniors are enjoying active lifestyles, making the most of fresh air, exercise and nature. 

While staying active is good for both your body and your mind, it can often take a toll on your skin. As we age, skin becomes thinner, drier and more sensitive - it doesn’t bounce back as quickly as it once did. So exposure to the elements can affect it more, leading to dryness, sun damage and other skin issues - but with a few small tweaks to your skincare routine, you can carry on enjoying an active lifestyle while keeping your skin smooth, hydrated and healthy. 

Here are 5 skincare tips for active seniors…

Use Sun Protection

This one might sound simple, but it’s one of the most important skincare tips for maintaining healthy skin - especially for active seniors who spend more time outdoors. Even on cloudy days, the sun’s rays can still cause skin damage, leading to dryness, premature ageing and damage to healthy skin cells.

When you’re enjoying an active lifestyle outdoors, make sure that;

• You are using a suncream with at least SPF 30 
• Reapply suncream every two hours - and immediately after swimming 
• Wear a hat and sunglasses
• Cover your skin with light clothing when possible

Drink Water

It’s easy to forget, but it’s one of the easiest skincare tips you can follow. When you’re walking, hiking, swimming or simply enjoying the outdoors - your skin loses fluid through sweat and sun exposure. This can lead to dehydrated skin that feels tight and dry.

Therefore, drinking enough water is just as essential for your skin as the skincare products that you use. As a general rule, men should aim for 2.5 litres of fluid a day and women around 2 litres - more if you enjoy an active lifestyle. 

Try to;

• Drink between 6-8 glasses of water a day
• Take a water bottle with you when walking, hiking or staying active outdoors
• Choose herbal teas if you want something soothing and warm
• Increase your water intake when doing exercise 

Drinking enough water can make a big difference in how your skin looks and feels.

Add a Skincare Routine - Before and After Swimming

Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise for both your health and mood and it’s a good way for active seniors to maintain an active lifestyle. However, chlorine and saltwater can dry out the skin quickly. Adding a quick skincare routine before and after swimming is an important skincare tip that can ensure your skin stays hydrated and comfortable. 

Before swimming

• Apply a hydrating moisturiser - such as sebamed Moisturising Body Lotion Formulated with soothing ingredients like chamomile and allantoin - that help support the skin’s natural moisture balance when you’re in the water
• Use a water-resistant suncream

After swimming

• Rinse your skin with fresh water to remove chlorine or salt-water
• Use a gentle cleanser - such as sebamed Olive Face and Body Wash to help restore moisture and support the skin barrier 
• Apply moisturiser straight away to lock in hydration 

A gentle cleanser, followed by a nourishing moisturiser, supports faster skin recovery and plays an important role in maintaining a healthy skin barrier.

Use Gentle, pH-friendly Cleansers 

After a day spent outdoors, skin needs to be cleansed, to remove all dirt, sweat and toxins that it’s picked up throughout the day. It’s important to choose a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils - otherwise skin can feel tight, irritated and dry. One like sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash matches the skin’s natural pH, helping to protect sensitive, dry skin from dehydration and irritation.

Don’t Forget Feet and Hands

Your hands and feet do a lot of the hard work when you’re staying active outdoors so they need care and protection too. For active seniors, these areas can often become dry and uncomfortable if neglected. Hands are regularly exposed to sun, wind and environmental damage which can make them feel dry and sensitive.

Feet can also take a brunt when you’re an active senior as activities such as walking, hiking or cycling can leave feet becoming dry, rough or cracked over time. But with a little extra care, you can still enjoy your outdoor adventures while keeping skin smooth and healthy. 

For your hands

• Use a moisturising hand cream regularly - ingredients like urea are recommended by dermatologists for very dry sky as it naturally attracts water, keeping it hydrated while protecting the skin barrier. 
• Wear gloves in colder weather to prevent dryness

For your feet

• Moisturise daily, especially around the heels
• Check for dry or cracking skin
• Wear supportive footwear

Taking care of your hands and feet is an important skincare tip that ensures your skin stays hydrated and nourished when staying active outdoors.