Ageing is unavoidable, but there’s no need to accept it. If you’re reading this, it’s because you’ve noticed your first few wrinkles, or maybe you’ve fallen off the anti-ageing skincare train for too many years.
Although some people are born with a natural gift for skincare, most of us are entirely bewildered by the many choices available today. “Which product do you start with? How long does it take to see results? What role does each component play?”
We interviewed some of the best dermatologists in the country to learn more about how to keep your skin young and what anti-ageing skincare items they recommend.
Sure, using daily face sunscreen is the best place to begin, but we learned that there’s much more to a good anti-ageing skincare regimen than just SPF.
What are anti-ageing skincare products?
While it seems self-evident, sometimes a simple definition provides a clearer picture of anti-ageing products.
“Anti-aging skincare treatments are designed to assist with the appearance of visible signs of skin ageing, such as creases, fine lines, leathery skin, and black spots,” said Dr Dendy Engelman, a spokesperson for The Skin Cancer Foundation and board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “They may be used preventatively or operate to reduce the effects of ageing that have already appeared.”
What is the difference between serum, retinol and retinoid?
The differences between three of the most popular skincare solutions were explained by a board-certified dermatologist, Dr Tiffany Libby.
- Serums are liquid to gel-like formulations with higher concentrated components intended to be applied after washing clean skin to obtain maximum effects.
- Retinol is a retinoid typically found in over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that are claimed to help stimulate collagen production, reduce wrinkle formation, treat acne, improve skin tone, and enhance skin cell turnover.
- Retinol derivatives are less potent than retinoids since they require more conversions to arrive at the active component, retinoic acid. Tretinoin and adapalene (now also available OTC), more powerful prescription-level retinoids, contain more retinoic acid.
Should You Use Serum?
Anti-ageing serums are all over the place these days. Most companies have them, and many women swear by them. They work! What’s the big deal?
Serums work differently than lotions and other goods on the market in that they can seep into the skin. You’ll come across serums that promise to perform a wide range of miracles, including ones that say they:
- Hydrate
- Exfoliate
- Brighten
Choosing the most acceptable serum entails ensuring that the one you choose is made with medical-grade components.
They might be more expensive than those offered by mass-production companies. In exchange for a higher price, you receive a product containing high-quality substances based on research and clinical trials.
There is a caveat!
Retinol is one of the most potent active ingredients in serums. Mixing it with your serum might irritate your skin if you’re also using prescription retinol. Discuss it with your dermatologist when adding treatments to your anti-ageing skincare regimen.
If you want to experiment with a serum, apply it after washing your face and using any facial lotion.
At what age should I start investing and using anti-ageing skincare products?
While there is no specific age to begin investing and using anti-ageing treatments, most experts agree that your 20s are an excellent time to start considering your skin’s long-term health.
“Start early and don’t put off [for] later dealing with skin issues or changes to bother you until you implement a skincare regimen,” advised NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Marisa K. Garshick.
“”As the adage goes, ‘the greatest thing you can do for your skin in your 50s is to use sunscreen when you were 20 years old,'” Garshick adds. “We begin to lose one percent of our collagen each year starting in our twenties, and we understand that collagen loss can cause fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, looseness, and overall textural changes in the skin.”
Although there are a few exceptions, sunscreens are generally beneficial since an estimated 90 percent of skin ageing is due to the sun. The most essential thing you can do in any anti-ageing skincare regimen is to protect your skin from these hazardous UV rays. “Sunburn is cumulative, so it’s never too early or too late to start using sun protection. Sunscreen should be used by everyone — men, women, and children aged six months and older – because it protects against the development of skin cancer.”
Furthermore, Garshick emphasizes that sun protection (particularly in childhood and adolescence) can significantly impact skin ageing. As a result, early sun protection is the most significant long-term investment for your skin.
Find a Creamy Cleanser That Loves Your Skin
Daily cleaning is the first step in obtaining good skin health. You can never be too young to use the ideal cleanser for your skin type. Your face will thank you today and in years to come.
Look for a cleanser designed specifically for your skin type when purchasing one. For example, if you have dry skin, you’ll want to use a creamy cleanser.
People with normal skin may use any sort of cleanser they choose, as long as it’s not one of the following:
- Alcohol
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
Many facial cleansers on the market now include one or more of these components. All have the potential to dry out your skin.
Tip: Remember that facial bar soaps should only be used if necessary. Many of them include skin-deifying chemicals. Therefore, you’ll want to double-check the label.
Skin Care in Your 40s and 50s
Wrinkle creams, eye serums, and other anti-ageing skin treatments might help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Dermatologists recommend that you begin your anti-ageing skincare regimen with good skincare habits.
Anti-ageing skin care products can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. However, it is essential to begin with, healthy skin care practices to develop a truly effective anti-ageing skincare regimen. The advantages of good skin care practices include:
- Prevent (or clear up) a blotchy complexion
- Retain skin’s youthful firmness longer
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- Keep face looking brighter and younger
- Avoid leathery skin
- Reduce skin cancer risk
You’ll discover essential healthy skin care practices below to assist you in creating your own anti-ageing skin treatment regimen. Each of these tips has years of study behind it.
Anti-ageing skin care tips
- Protect your skin from the sun. Sun protection is the basis of every anti-ageing skincare regimen. The sun’s rays accelerate the ageing of our skin. We have a term for this effect because we have so much proof that the sunshine prematurely damages our skin. The term “photoaging” refers to the ageing of the skin as a result of sun exposure. These are some suggestions given by dermatologists to help patients protect their skin from the sun and other harmful UV radiation:
- Seek shade. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., seek shelter in the shade whenever your shadow is shorter than you are.
- Cover up in style. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat, pants, and long sleeves is typically a good idea. Gloves help reduce the appearance of ageing on our hands, including age spots. Sunglasses can help minimize fine wrinkles around our eyes.
- Apply sunscreen to all skin that clothing will not cover to safeguard your skin. You’ll want a sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection and an SPF of 30 or higher. Slather on the sunscreen every day before going outdoors.
- Forget about indoor tanning. UV radiation, tanning beds, and sun lamps are harmful. These rays speed up the ageing of your skin.
- Apply moisturizer every day. As we grow older, our skin becomes drier. Fine lines and wrinkles begin to form. Moisturizer seals in moisture in the skin, making it appear younger. Apply a facial moisturizer, body moisturizer, and lip balm for optimal results.
- Wash away dirt and grime twice a day. Your appearance is also influenced by how you wash your face. Rather than soap, use warm water and a mild cleanser for optimum results. Avoid washing your skin firmly as well.
- Stop smoking. Cigarette smoke includes carcinogens that can induce face changes in smokers. Smoker’s skin may have a dull and dry texture, laxness, wrinkles, and lines prematurely formed.
- Eat healthy foods. A nutritious diet improves your skin’s appearance. Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and good oils are essential for a healthy diet.
- Get enough sleep. Sleep provides your body with the opportunity to rejuvenate and renew itself. For a reason, it’s called beauty rest.
If you want to include anti-ageing skin treatments in your plan, dermatologists advise that you choose them intelligently.
Things to Avoid When Cleansing
Most people make at least a few blunders when cleaning, which is why you must know how to properly cleanse your skin.
Here are the biggies:
- Steaming hot water
- Not removing makeup first
- Failure to rinse after using a makeup cloth
- Harsh scrubs
- Using a cleansing brush every day
While hot water may feel fantastic and soothing, it can remove vital oils from your skin.
Even the most effective cleanser may not remove all traces of makeup, especially eye makeup, and many women rely only on their facial cleanser. The natural cleansing begins with a makeup-removing cloth.
Remember to rinse the makeup remover cloth with water after usage. You don’t want any of the cleansing chemicals or tiny particles of dirt and makeup residue on your face. This is very important if you use a cloth makeup remover for regular cleaning on a frequent basis.
Harsh scrubs are not suitable for any skin type but are harmful to ageing skin. You put your skin at risk of early wrinkles, fine lines, and broken capillaries if you use a scrub with intricate beads such as jojoba or ivory palm seeds.
A mechanical cleaning brush is more efficient than your hands or a washcloth when cleaning hard-to-reach places, but excessive usage may irritate dry or sensitive skin.
The Best Cleansers for Aging Skin
- Blu Atlas Volcanic Ash Face Cleanser
- Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser
- Charlotte Tilbury Multi-Miracle Glow Cleansing Balm
- cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser Gentle Face Wash
- Dermalogica Skin Resurfacing Cleanser
Treatment Options for Aging Skin
Chemical peels, dermabrasion, micro-needling, ultrasound energy devices, or laser resurfacing might be used to treat early signs of ageing. Treatments that use retinoids, vitamin C, and alpha hydroxy acids may be enough for the face’s mild to severe sun damage.
Fillers, such as hyaluronic acid injections, fat from your own body, and Gore-Tex implants can be used to smooth out deeper facial lines.
Surgery, such as a facelift, brow lift, or cosmetic surgery on the eyelids is an option for some individuals. Whether you do any of these procedures and how much you do are entirely up to you. If you’re thinking about it, book a consultation with a surgeon to discuss your objectives, choices, costs, risks, and benefits.
Conclusion:
These are some of the best ways to care for your skin as you age. Remember to cleanse twice daily, avoid harsh scrubs, get enough sleep, and eat a healthy diet. If you want to include anti-ageing treatments, choose them wisely and consult with a dermatologist first.
SOURCES:
- National Institute on Aging: “Skin Care and Aging.”
- American Academy of Dermatology: “Mature skin” and “Protection Against Photoaging.”
- The Skin Cancer Foundation
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