As we age the skin becomes thinner this is because the distribution of fat in old age changes . The underlying fat , so abundant at infancy, is slowly lost (unfortunately it moves to the abdominal area). The skin's connective tissue, called collagen and elastin, undergoes changes, causing the skin to lose firmness and become dry and more fragile. The sweat and oil-secreting glands in the skin also decrease, which makes it harder for the skin to hold moisture. The blood vessels naturally become more fragile, so they are more likely to rupture and leak into the skin.

On your face and the back of your hands where skin is most exposed to the sun it is particularly noticeable that the exposure removes the calciferol layer beneath skin-which is fatty tissue insulator.

Skin changes can also be caused by years of poor nutrition, high stress levels, exposure to environmental pollution, and destructive lifestyle choices, such as cigarette smoking or alcohol and drug abuse. However the greatest single factor is sun exposure. This can be seen by comparing areas of your body that have regular sun exposure with areas that are protected from sunlight.

The symptoms of aging skin include dryness, itchiness, thinning or thickening of the skin, wrinkles and fine lines, age or liver spots, and a mottled appearance.

The skin may take more time to heal when injured. Blood vessels are easier to see through the thinning skin, also because they become dilated with age. These blood vessels may be visible as red formations on the skin or as broken capillaries on the face .

Many people develop purplish spots or patches on the skin created by small hemorrhages in the skin. Older skin has less protection against sun damage because the protective cells decrease with age. An elderly person can also bruise very easily which could be due to a lack of bioflavinoids. These are found in the pith of lemons and other citrus fruit, and in the white bits in capsicums. It is the rutin in this pith that strengthens the vein walls.

Rutin can also be found in Buckwheat, and Black Currants.

Other minerals and vitamins required to protect the skin include:-
Silica-garlic strawberries,oats applespineapple, lettuce
Vitamin F-lecithin-protects cell membranes found in seeds, sesame, deep sea fish, fish oils, wheat germ and oats.
Vitamin C-found in rosehip tea, green salads, berry fruits, lemon water (cut up whole lemon and add to jug of water)
Vitamin B5-found in seeds and grains.
Vitamin B6-pith of lemon.

Moisturizers only hold the existing moisture in the skin by creating a barrier, so as the skin ages it is necessary to apply moisturizers much more frquently. Paw paw cream and emu oil may be beneficial in the elderly by supplying their skin with the critical fatty acids required for skin and tissue nutrition. Externally, skin healing herbs include aloe vera, chickweed, comfrey and calendula flowers. A good health food store should be able to help you find a suitable ointment that will nourish and soothe your skin. Note that skin will not heal if it is dry, so you must keep it soft. Washing with a nourishing and moisturizing lotion rather than drying soap may also help the situation.

The Skin Magic Cream and Comfrey Skin Healer Cream contain healing and circulatory herbs beneficial to the skin as it ages.