Think you just have to live with dry, aging skin? Think again! There are so many things you can do to make your skin look and feel great, no matter your age. Dr. Sarah Brewer recently spoke with Margaret Manning about the best ways to care for your mature skin, and her advice will make you think of skin care in a whole new way.

Dr. Brewer is a Cambridge-trained hospital doctor and general practitioner. Her long career has made her realize the extent that diet and lifestyle choices impact your overall health and appearance.

You can find a wealth of information and advice on her website and in the 66 books she’s authored, including her latest, Eat Well, Look Great.

Looking Good! 60 is the New 50

Think about your own grandmother and how she looked at your age. Notice a difference? Today, more women know how to better take care of their skin, giving them a more youthful appearance than women the same age of just a few decades ago.

How lucky we are to have all this new information, and to learn from people like Dr. Brewer!

What Can I Do to Have Radiant Skin at Any Age?

As we age, our bodies’ production of estrogen goes way, way down. Estrogen is needed to make collagen. Collagen is what keeps our skin firm and elastic. So, what do we do?

Hormone Replacement Therapy is one way to effectively solve the problem, although many of us don’t want to go down that road. You can, however, take plant estrogens like isoflavones and eat more soy-based foods, fruits and vegetables, and nuts and seeds, all of which contain plant hormones.

Use the Right Supplements

For Dr. Brewer, Evening Primrose oil is a must. It helps to reduce wrinkles and improves elasticity, and it’s the one supplement she says she can’t be without!

Likewise, she recommends getting adequate doses of vitamin C. It’s not as effective topically, so try to get an adequate amount through your diet or, if necessary, by taking supplements.

Moving Past Moisturizer

Moisturizers are great, but it’s not just what you put on your skin, it’s what you put in your body!

The connection between what we eat and the health and appearance of our skin is undeniable. So make sure you eat a healthy, well-balanced diet to help maintain a youthful glow.

Chocolate is Good for You After All!

That’s right! Go ahead and eat some chocolate. However, make sure its dark chocolate and at least 75% cocoa. It contains antioxidants that help to reduce the damage that contributes to dry, aging skin. So go ahead and indulge, but just a little.

Is it Your Age, or Something Else?

As we age and go through menopause, our bodies go through significant changes, including our skin. It not only tends to get drier, it also gets thinner due to loss of collagen.

However, if you begin to notice your hair and skin is markedly drier, if you’re feeling tired and irritable all the time, if you’re gaining weight without a definite increase in calorie intake, it may not just be due to menopause. Get your thyroid checked!

An underactive thyroid slows your metabolism, and is a common condition in women over 50. If you have the condition, it can be treated.

Getting Practical with “Dr. Google”

Dr. Brewer is a firm believer in taking charge of your own well-being, and encourages women to consult what she calls “Dr. Google” and learn as much as they can on their own. She offers loads of practical, meaningful advice on being a healthier, more vibrant you.

When it comes to dry, aging skin, there is a great deal you can do that will lead to marked improvements in how you look and feel. We now know so many things our grandmothers never did!

How do you care for your skin? What do you think about Hormone Replacement Therapy or plant estrogens? Let’s have a chat!