Anti Aging Skincare Routine: Skincare Tricks and Tips
How To Care for Aging Skin
As we age, the concept of time suddenly takes on new meanings. We look at life through wiser eyes and our adventures are displayed on our faces like paintings in the Louvre. We hold dear the people who have loved us and cherish the wonderful experiences we have been given. As time goes on, our bodies become a capsule of those experiences. The memories that are held in our mind slowly begin to show themselves to the outside world.
Our skin is just a window, to us and to others, of what goes on with our body internally. As we age, our skin begins to change and it craves a different type of care. Skin cell reproduction slows down, we lose collagen, which is what keeps our skin plump. Gravity takes over, and causes our skin to sag and wrinkle. It’s important to begin taking care of our skin at an early age. This won’t stop the aging process altogether, but it will ensure that we embrace it well and do it gracefully.
Sunny Spots
Let’s begin by naming enemy number one; the sun! If the sun was a person, he’d be on dateline and have a documentary by now. UV light from the sun is on skincare’s most wanted list and I totally understand that you are all so tired of hearing that. The amount of times I have rolled my eyes at anyone who told me to wear SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is infinite. But here’s why you need to actually care.
About 90% of ALL skin damage is due to the sun. If I was told that there was a 90% chance of rain, I’m definitely bringing an umbrella. So why wouldn’t you wear an SPF or cover up when you’re in the sun if there’s a 90% chance you’ll damage your skin? Even if you are in the sun for 5 minutes a day, multiply that by 30 days a month, and 12 months a year. I’m no mathematician but that seems like a lot of time in the sun. Adding SPF to your skincare or makeup routine can ensure you’re protecting your skin without having to add an extra step to your day. There are powders and foundations with SPF in it, as well as, moisturizers that will give you that layer of protection.
UV light from the sun and tanning beds can cause the skin to lose its elasticity, which in turn causes the skin to wrinkle and sag. The rays penetrate the skin barrier and break down collagen. As I mentioned before, collagen is what keeps our skin plump and smooth. The thing about collagen is that we lose it as we age. It’s the reason our skin doesn’t hold its shape as easily as it does when we’re young. I know, so rude. But the good news is that the skincare industry is abundant in products that assist in stimulating collagen production in your skin. The key is to make sure the product has an effective delivery technology of the ingredients so it can penetrate the skin’s barrier and deliver it directly into your pores.
The sun can also cause hyperpigmentation, sun spots or “liver spots”, which are caused by overactive pigment cells and produce more rapidly when the area of skin is exposed to UV light. These spots can become deadly by turning cancerous, so it is very important that we pay attention to the changes in our skin. Please see a doctor or dermatologist immediately if you notice the spot taking an abnormal shape or color, or if it begins to bleed. To lighten and brighten these areas, you’ll need a miracle worker. Just kidding. Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant that helps to even and brighten your tone, protects against environmental aggressors & free radicals. Like a superhero, it packs a powerful punch. Not only does it lighten and brighten your skin, but it also protects against UV damage. So adding this into your morning routine via serum or cream can do a lot for your aging skin.
Daily & Weekly Skincare Routine:
Speaking of routines, let’s talk about them. Just like we would never wear that crop top we wore in our 20s, we would never use the same skincare we used back then either. So in addition to our closet, we’re going to revamp our skincare routine. We want to stick to products that are there for a purpose, not just the random products you pick up from Marshall’s or Walmart. It’s always great to ask your esthetician for recommendations since they know your skin best. Here are some ideas to start you off so that you can have a productive conversation.
Cleanser AM/PM: Use a gentle, fragrance free cleanser to remove any grease and dirt from the day. As we age, our skin doesn’t retain as much moisture and gets dry & sensitive. Using a fragrance free cleanser is going to protect the lipid barrier and keep it hydrated.
Recommendation: Biologique Recherche Lait U cleansing milk
Serum AM: Use a Vitamin C serum. Like I mentioned earlier, Vitamin C is an antioxidant and will protect your skin against the sun and environmental aggressors. It will also even out your tone and brighten sun spots.
Recommendation: Citrix Vitamin C Pro-Collagen Brightening Serum
Serum PM: Use a hyaluronic acid serum for an extra boost of hydration. Hyaluronic acid is something we naturally have in our body and we lose it as we age. It holds up to 1000x its weight in water which helps with moisturizing and plumping the skin.
Eye Cream AM/PM: Use an anti-aging eye cream that brightens and tightens.
Recommendation: Image Ageless Total Eye Lift Crème
Cream AM/PM: Use a hydrating cream that’s denser than you’re used to. Using one that also contains collagen will keep the skin firm and prevent/treat wrinkles.
Recommendation: Biologique Recherche Crème ADN Elastine Marine Collagene Marin
Sunscreen AM: Do NOT skip your sunscreen. Use one with at least 30 spf to decrease the risk of skin cancer.
Recommendation: iSClinical Extreme Protect SPF 30
Treatment PM: Using a retinol every other night will assist in cell turnover rate. This helps treat wrinkles, acne scarring, pigmentation, and texture. An all-in-one gold mine.
Recommendation: Revision Retinol Complete
Weekly: It’s important to exfoliate once a week to help with removing any dry, dead skin to help with the appearance of pores, wrinkles & fine lines, and discoloration.
Recommendation: Neova Serious Reveal Exfoliator (20% Glycolic)
Your Life; Your Skin
Protecting your skin can be so much more than just applying topical products. Our skin is the largest organ of our body and it’s vital in protecting against pathogens and environmental damage. It’s important that as we get older we are assisting it in the fight! Our skin is just an outside reflection of what is happening internally, so if we are living on big mac’s and whoppers our skin will most definitely not perform at premium capacity. It’s important to pay attention to what we’re putting into our body and be conscious of what it’s doing for us. Foods rich in antioxidants and complex carbs (whole grains & pastas) can protect our skin and help keep a healthy appearance.
Try to avoid dairy because it’s been linked to breakouts. Also avoid red wine to avoid dilated blood vessels which can become permanently damaged. Vitamin C and a lower intake of fats and carbs will give your skin a glow and keep it looking vibrant. It’s not just about what we put into our body, but what we do with it too.
Exercising can improve circulation which nourishes the skin & can stimulate collagen production. This will give you a beautiful rosy glow. Just like that bottle of wine does but healthier. Just make sure to wash your face afterward, so as to not clog your pores.
When Do I Start?
The big question is at what age should you start thinking about your aging skin, and when is too late? I get these questions a lot and you are NOT going to like the answer. But the fact of the matter is that we begin the aging process at 20. Yes, you began aging before you could even legally buy alcohol at a bar. The audacity. So my answer to that question is, start adding in anti-aging products in your 20s for preventative care. Sub your rose water toner for a Vitamin C Serum, or your hydrating eye cream for a brightening one. There are little changes you can make to your routine that will assist your future self and make sure she never has to worry about the decisions you made when you were bar hopping until 5am on a random Tuesday. To answer the other question, it is never too late to start taking care of aging skin. But it is much harder to reverse the effects the later you start. When the damage is superficial, and mostly sitting on the top layers of skin, it is much easier to address and fix. When wrinkles begin to run deep into the dermis and the sun spots have taken root, you’re looking at a much longer journey that could involve more intense procedures like laser light therapy, IPL or injections. And trust me, those are not very fun.
To sum it up:
Do use sunscreen; don’t hangout directly in sunlight.
Do eat foods rich with antioxidants; don’t do dairy and red wine.
Do moisturize and stay hydrated; don’t use drying skincare products.
Be conscious of what you’re putting in and on your body, even if it’s just for your skin. Life takes twists and turns that we aren’t in control of, so if we can be in control of at least one thing, let’s make it your skin.