We are bombarded with information, research and knowledge in today’s skincare and beauty world compared to even just a decade ago. Anti-aging and preventative skincare solutions have only become more prominent as we have learned about new technologies and ingredients that help target the visible signs of aging. Previously, the age to start using anti-aging treatments was typically around mid-30s. Now, it’s common to start integrating anti-aging or preventative skincare steps into a beauty routine in the early to mid-20s. There isn’t a specific, ideal age universally recommended to start implementing anti-aging products into a skincare routine. Most assume that the transition into anti-aging products comes when we see our first visible sign of aging. However, we can start much earlier and take a preventative approach to keeping skin looking youthful, firm and bright before the first fine line appears. Before selecting anti-aging products best for your own unique skincare needs, it’s important to understand a few main changes that happen to skin in the aging process.
What Happens to Skin as We Age?
As we age, skin starts to appear less firm, taut, radiant, and bouncy. Oftentimes, the skin begins to sag, leading to a loss of contour on the jaw line, hollowness around the eyes and other areas of the face. Skin also naturally becomes thinner and more fragile due to loss of fat and reduced cell renewal, making skin appear less full. Other visible signs of aging include dark spots, facial fine lines and wrinkles, discoloration and dullness. All of these signs are caused by internal and external factors, both impacted by natural occurrences and from lifestyle choices.
Internal Factors that Cause Skin Aging
As we age, the body’s cell renewal process slows down, leading to a decrease in collagen and elastin in skin. Levels of natural substances in skin, like Hyaluronic Acid, starts to deplete. Hyaluronic Acid plays a key role in helping with skin elasticity and firmness, as well as with overall skin hydration and moisture.
We are often told that it’s important to keep skin hydrated, but why is that such a critical factor? When skin is hydrated, the ingredients we apply work better and faster than they would with dry, dehydrated skin. Think of a grape –a naturally moisture-rich, plump round fruit. When the grape is dehydrated, it turns into a raison, shriveled up and covered in wrinkles. Now, we aren’t raisons, but it serves as a good example of the impact of hydration or dehydration. Skin can act the same way, as hydrated skin appears plumper and more luminous. Adding in a skincare product with Hyaluronic Acid, like Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Serum, into your routine also helps skin replenish moisture instantly and throughout the day, resulting in firmer-looking, more radiant skin.
Peptides can also help with hydration, appearance of skin firmness and fine lines and wrinkles. Try adding in night cream formulated with Peptides, like Rodan + Fields REDEFINE Overnight Restorative Cream.
External Factors that Cause Skin Aging
Multiple external factors can also cause premature skin aging. Social behaviors, like sleeping positions or micro facial expressions, are some of the primary causes. Diet, dehydration, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can also lead to visible signs of premature aging. Additionally, other factors like stress, exercise and sleep can have a direct impact on how skin ages. Sun exposure is one of the most critical factors that can lead to visible signs of premature aging on skin.
Overexposure to the sun can be damaging to skin, as it can lead to uneven skin tone, dryness, loss of elasticity, wrinkles and dark spots. Whether you are spending time in the sun or staying inside, we are always exposed to light and UV rays. It is critical to wear SPF and apply as directed to ensure you are protecting your skin from harmful rays every day. Apply an SPF, like REDEFINE Triple Defense Treatment SPF 30, as the last step of your skincare routine. If you have oilier or acne-prone skin, try UNBLEMISH Invisible Matte Defense SPF 30.
While aging skin is inevitable for everyone, our environment and genetic makeup can play a role in the aging process of skin. With some of these factors being out of our control, it’s important to find solutions that both help with prevention and targeting the appearance of the visible signs of aging that have already made an appearance.
Preventive Skincare –Steps to Take to Postpone and Slow the First Visible Signs of Aging
It’s a fact –aging is inevitable and unavoidable. However, we tend to focus more on trying to cover up or reverse the signs of aging instead of taking preventative steps.When it comes to skin, adding in preventative measures can immensely help to reduce early visible signs of aging.
Avoiding excessive sun exposure is one of the first recommended preventative steps, as overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight greatly impacts skin. In addition to wrinkles, UV exposure can lead to dark spots, uneven skin tone and dullness, leading to skin appearing older than it should.Get in the habit of applying an SPF every day to protect skin from UV rays, even when staying indoors.
Antioxidants are also important to integrate as part of a preventative skincare routine. Antioxidants can help skin hydrated, lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and address skin redness, leading to an even, radiant and plumper-looking complexion. Rodan + Fields RECHARGE Ultra Boost Moisturizing Treatment is formulated with proprietary Electri5 Complex, which contains RFA+ Antioxidants, Electrolytes, Prebiotics, Peptides and Superfruits, and Glycoin to help keep skin moisturized and protect against visible signs of stress for a hydrated, healthy glow.
Selecting Anti-Aging Products for Your Routine
It’s important to choose ingredients and products for your Regimen based on the specific skin care concerns you want to address.
There are several ingredients that help with prevention, in addition to addressing visible fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness or uneven texture, like Retinol. A tried-and-true anti-aging ingredient, Retinol helps target these common visible signs of aging on skin. However, traditional Retinol can be irritating for daily use or for some skin types.
Rodan + Fields REDEFINE Intensive Renewing Serum is formulated with Retinal-MD Technology, a form of Vitamin A that’s more potent than Retinol, but gentle enough for daily use. The nightly serum works to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while revealing vibrant, younger-looking skin. The formula includes a Calcium Buffering System that encapsulates the Retinal molecule to minimize the potential for irritation, making it gentle enough for almost all skin types. The best part? It comes in single-use, biodegradable capsules so you always apply the right amount consistently.
At What Age should you start to use Anti-aging Products?
There isn’t a specific age that is recommended to transition your routine to include anti-aging skincare products. Anti-aging products don’t just have to be used when you start to see signs of aging on your skin or when you turn a certain age. In fact, integrating products with anti-aging benefits can be greatly beneficial in taking a preventative skincare approach. This could be when you are in your 20s or your 30s, but everyone’s skin is different. As with any routine, choose products and ingredients based on your own unique skin needs and skin concerns.
Active Hydration SerumDry SkinFine Lines & WrinklesHyaluronic Acid
