As beauty and skincare enthusiasts, we talk about aging a lot. We think about aging even more. The dialogue surrounding the concept of aging has evolved in the past few years. From the term “anti-aging” being used less often in everything from magazine article copy to product marketing to the discussion surrounding the natural process of aging — our culture is leaning in to aging gracefully. The modern way is to promote all kinds of beauty, including aging beautifully — just take a look at the many 65+ women we see as faces of many a beauty and fashion brand in the past few years.
At the same time, if we’re honest with ourselves, we all want to postpone the moment when we see the first signs of aging when we’re looking into a mirror. We still want to look our best. How to deal with this dichotomy? In this post, we’ll help you understand how the skin aging process works and we’ll share just four simple things you can do now to prevent the first signs of aging showing up (uninvited) too early.
Why Is My Skin Aging?
Skin aging is caused by a combination of factors. Natural skin aging occurs, which has to do with your genetics. When it comes to genetics, there’s not much we can control. As for the things we can? Sun exposure and UV rays and lifestyle factors play a major role when it comes to the aging process of our skin. Exposure to sunlight, i.e., photoaging is something to keep in mind no matter your climate in which you live.
When we reach our 20s, lifestyle habits trending toward the unhealthy, constant UV exposure and environmental damage begin to compromise the structure of the skin. The cell renewal and turnover process starts to slow down, which results in a loss of luminosity. Our cells begin to have less power against free radicals and our natural ability to resist skin damage begins to decline.
Throughout our 30s, collagen and elastin break down, which results in wrinkles that are visible. Collagen keeps our skin firm while elastin gives it that bounce. Cell renewal and turnover continue to decline, and this can lead to a complexion that’s duller, less bright and radiant, and uneven in skin tone.
In our 40s, skin appears thinner and dehydration can be a concern. The skin’s barrier lipids are less robust. Hormonal changes can also affect the skin and can appear in the form of uneven skin tone or adult acne. Dark spots and dullness are also signs of aging, as we progress through our 40s.
In our 50s, the barrier lipid layer lessens. Dehydration becomes more pronounced. Stress and inflammation both inside and outside the body can lead to longer healing times and marks that last a long time. Skin may have prominent fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.
Where We See The First Signs Of Aging
The first fine lines and wrinkles tend to form where skin becomes thinnest and less elastic over time. Anywhere you have repetitive facial expressions, like the eyes, face and neck tend to show signs of aging more quickly.
Around our eyes, signs of aging emerge in the form of crow’s feet and drooping upper eyelids. Keep your eye area looking refreshed and revived with REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream applied morning and night. REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream works to visibly improves fine lines and signs of aging around the eye area.
Fine lines can form around the nose while the nasolabial folds become more pronounced. The upper lip may start to sink down.
4 Steps to postpone first signs of aging
- Sun Protection
Incorporating sunscreen/SPF daily into your morning skincare routine is the easiest way to keep your skin looking as youthful as possible. Exposure to UV rays can cause skin to age prematurely, yielding signs of sun damage ranging from wrinkles to leathery skin to dark spots. Sun protection during the day is especially important if you use a retinol at night.
- Moisturize Your Skin with a Face Serum
Moisturizing and using a serum will help you stave off the first signs of aging as much as possible. Find a face serum that targets your skin goals— whether it be a Vitamin C serum or a hyaluronic acid-spiked iteration — and layer it on morning and evening under a moisturizer suited to your skin type. Keep your daily moisturizer by your toothbrush to remind you to apply it twice a day.
- Wash Your Face Twice Per Day with a Good Cleanser
It sounds simple but when you’ve had a long night, it’s easy to fall into bed without doing the whole washing your face song and dance. But sleeping in your makeup can be damaging and drying to your skin. It’s also a missed opportunity to apply your evening targeted skincare treatments. To keep your skin looking fresh, wash your face twice a day and keep makeup wipes by your bed. This will ensure you’ll at least remove your makeup before hitting the hay. To help turn over dead skin cells, exfoliate your skin at least once a week. You can opt for a manual scrub or a chemical exfoliating toner or serum that contains salicylic or glycolic acid to slough off dull, dead skin cells.
- Eat A Healthy Diet
Getting enough sleep, exercising and skincare are all part of the program. What you eat also affects how your skin looks, and a healthy diet can help you look youthful. Opt for an antioxidant-rich diet with berries like raspberries, strawberries and blackberries. Try starting the day with a healthy fruit smoothie or choosing a salad with lots of greens at lunch. Avoiding refined carbohydrates and sugars can also help keep your skin looking plump and radiant.
Most importantly, even if you haven’t been the most diligent when it comes to skincare, diet, and your general lifestyle — It is never too late to apply these rules! You can still reduce signs of aging starting wherever you are in your journey today. Make an appointment with your dermatologist for a consultation. He or she will answer any questions you may have about what you can be doing to keep your skin looking as glowy and gorgeous as possible.
