The importance of using anti-aging preventative skincare rituals to reduce signs of premature aging cannot be overstated. If you want to stay looking young, you have to be proactive.
We all know that aging is a part of life. Although we can’t control getting older, we can control how we take care of our skin. A consistent skincare regiment will be your key to avoid premature aging and keep you looking fresh and youthful.
Finding the Fountain of Youth: Tips for Aging Gracefully
Although you can’t turn back the clock and stop your skin from aging, there are some simple steps you can (and should) take. Regardless of your age, adding these anti-aging skincare strategies to your daily routine will lead you on the path to great looking skin.
- Retinol
If ever there was a hero ingredient in your skincare routine, it is Retinol. Dermatologists love this powerful skincare ingredient (a derivative of vitamin A) for its proven benefits. This superstar ingredient works to:
- encourage cellular turnover
- stimulate collagen
- help treat acne
- soften wrinkles
- fade pigmentation and dark spots
- give skin an overall youthful glow
In other words, Retinoids are effective anti-agers and are used to prevent (and even reverse) the signs of aging. When you use Retinoids regularly, your skin tone will be firmer, skin texture smoother, and your overall complexion will be brighter.
You will find Retinoids in both prescription and non-prescription products. Unfortunately, the ingredient in prescription form cannot always be tolerated since it may create skin irritation, peeling, burning, and dryness.
The gentler, non-prescription form that is available over-the-counter is labeled as Retinol. Due to its lower concentration, Retinol has fewer side effects and is less likely to lead to undesired redness and flaking.
For best results, you will want to apply Retinol applied to clean, dry skin after toner as part of your nighttime routine. Retinoids can make your skin more susceptible to sunburn, because of the new skin cells at the surface of your skin, so it is best to use it only before bed.
Speaking of sun damage…
- Sunscreen Slather
It is absolutely essential to protect your skin from the sun every day. No “ifs, ands, or buts.”
You may like a deep bronze look, but the truth is that every time you get a tan, you prematurely age your skin. Whether you get a suntan from the sun or indoor tanning equipment, you are exposing yourself to harmful UV rays that accelerate how quickly your skin ages.
You should protect yourself by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 30 (or higher), and water-resistant. It’s important to apply sunscreen every day to all skin that is not covered by clothing, even on those cloudy days.
But if you absolutely cannot bear to be without a suntan look, apply self-tanner or bronzers. There are countless choices of self-tanning products that will allow you to achieve a healthy and glowing tan with no harmful or aging effects on your skin.
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C serums are legendary for a reason: they really work and they are backed by solid science. Few ingredients are better for brightening skin, than Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that can protect your skin against the free radicals that cause the damage that leads to premature aging. This potent vitamin will boost radiance, improve skin texture, and promote collagen production. It is a natural and safe way to lighten brown spots, even out skin tone, and brighten and enhance skin radiance.
Typically, you will want to use specific serums before bed. Simply cleanse your face, tone, apply vitamin C serum, and then moisturize. Ward off anti-aging signs by making Vitamin C products part of your daily routine.
But let’s back up a bit and start at the very beginning…
- Cleanse
Your skin absorbs everything around it. The grime on your smartphone? Your face absorbed it. That cigarette smoke you just walked by? Your skin absorbed it. The pollution you drive through every day? Your skin absorbed it.
Knowing that your skin is like a sponge and soaks up everything it comes in contact with should convince you that cleansing every morning and evening is an absolute requirement.
And temperature matters. Rinsing your complexion with water that's too hot can strip your skin barrier of its natural oils, which can dry out the skin. Too-cold water won't get the job done and might leave dirt and makeup on your skin. So, stick to water temperatures that are lukewarm.
- Moisturize
If you want to make sure you look as young as you can in the years to come, there is one rule you must obey; “moisturize!”
Many people don’t realize that skin not only gets drier as its ages, and that dryness makes the skin look rougher and wrinkles are more noticeable. In contrast, skin that is moisturized is dewy, plump, and appears smoother. Moisturizer traps water in our skin, giving it a more youthful appearance. Think of moisturizing as skin hydration.
Take it from leading researchers: regular moisturizing helps to nourish your skin in the long-term, potentially slowing the signs of aging (like wrinkles) that make you look and feel older.
For ultimate results, gently massage your moisturizer into clean skin after cleansing, before your skin is totally dry. The reason for this is that most moisturizers are amazing at locking in water, but the best results come when there is some wetness in the skin’s pores. In other words, if you apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin, the benefits will be greater since your skin’s moisture will be sealed in.
- Sweet Dreams
Unwelcome results of a published study showed that sleep-deprived women had twice the signs of aging (think wrinkles, brown spots, and sagging) than those who got healthy levels of sleep. Not only do you need a proper amount of sleep each day for vibrant skin, but there are also some less obvious tips to take while your skin is resting and restoring its vibrance.
Where you lay your head each night matters. Studies have found that pressing your face against a pillow as you sleep can cause permanent sleep wrinkles. Snoozing on your stomach or the same side of your face every night pushes your face into your pillow for long periods of time. After years, this shows up as facial lines and wrinkles. Sleeping on your back is your best bet for avoiding these crinkles, but if that’s not comfortable, at least alternate which side of your face you sleep on during the night.
If all else fails, sleeping on a silk pillowcase can also help fend off fine lines. Silk pillowcases can help your skin retain its natural moisture and reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. Softer pillowcases are less abrasive and minimize inflammation, which is one of the root causes of skin aging. Your complexion will thank you for investing in a silky pillowcase.
- Lifestyle
A healthy diet that is low in sugar, the ability to manage excess stress, regular exercise, and never (ever) smoking will help maintain good blood circulation and avoid premature skin aging. You should drink loads of water as well to hydrate your skin from the inside out.
A Final Thought
We all dream of flawless, glowing skin as we celebrate more and more birthdays. To create a truly effective anti-aging skincare plan, take time to develop a daily ritual of healthy skincare habits. It’s never too late to fix the signs of aging, but the sooner you start (even in your 20’s), the better the results.
And let’s be honest; when you feel better about how you look; your self-esteem gets a boost. Take a look at how you treat your skin and incorporate these anti-aging skincare tips every day for long-lasting benefits.