Skin aging comes naturally as you grow older. Children possess flawless, smooth, and glowing skin that anyone conscious of their looks admires. Many people experience premature skin aging due to endogenous and exogenous factors. According to medical statistics, in the 1950s, the number of older adults was about 205 million globally, and in 2012, this number was almost four times, at 810 million, of the aged population. Aging skin presents folds, wrinkles, and fine lines due to body mass loss, poor hydration, dermis disintegration, and epidermis junction. This article will provide 13 anti-aging skin care tips backed by scientific research and experts’ recommendations. It will help anyone looking forward to starting a skin care journey or upgrading their routine, with healthier and effective choices for a more youthful skin as age progresses.
1. Causes of Skin Aging
a. Endogenous Vs. Exogenous Factors of Skin Aging
Endogenous, also known as chronological aging, is led by genetic determinants involving your genetic clock, influenced by degenerative effects of the body’s free radicals, and an inability to repair perfectly. Your body cells deteriorate to impact muscle fats and bones negatively, and the most affected organ of your body is the skin.
On the other hand, exogenous factors, also known as presentable environmental factors, impact endogenous aging in conjunction with the normal aging process, resulting in premature skin aging. Endogenous factors include sun exposure, quality of sleep, diet, stress, and habits, among others.
b. Most Common Signs of Skin Aging
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Skin sagging
- Pigmentation
- Skin dryness
2. Use sunscreen daily
a. UVA versus UVB Impact on Skin Aging
UVA and UVB result from sun rays that impact your skin whenever you are outdoors. UVA can penetrate deeper into your skin and has been associated with skin aging, inflammation, and skin cancer. On the other hand, UVB has shorter wavelengths that cause skin burns, leading to skin cell mutation and, in extreme cases, skin cancer. According to Dr. Demehri, wearing sunscreen outdoors is essential, regardless of the UV index.
b. Sunscreen Prevents Wrinkles
A study conducted in Australia over a period of 4 years comparing skin aging in 900 men and women indicated that using sunscreen significantly reduces skin aging, even for middle-aged participants. Participants who consistently used sunscreen for the 4 years did not have skin aging signs such as wrinkles and fine lines. The discretionary sunscreen group indicated 24% less skin aging compared to those who did not use sunscreen.
3. Start Using Retinoids
a. How Do Retinoids Work on a Cellular Level?
Retinoids stimulate collagen and boost cell turnover. Tropical vitamin-A retinoids are the most studied anti-aging compounds, which reduce wrinkles and fine lines on your aging skin. In the 1970s, retinoids were used for acne treatment, and over the years, research indicated that prolonged use of the drug helped fade actinic keratosis spots, even skin pigmentation, and improved the generation of superficial skin cells. The turnover of the superficial skin cells resulted from increased collagen production, regeneration of blood vessels in the skin, allowing better circulation, which improved skin color. However, retinoids should be used sparingly as they can cause skin dryness and irritation. You can use them a few days a week for a beginner, and gradually work it up to nightly applications.
b. Over-the-counter versus prescription rent nights
Start using over-the-counter retinoids and observe your skin before contacting a dermatologist for prescription. Prescription retinoids are potent and more effective than OTC, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Overusing retinoids has some side effects; wearing them with sunscreen for better results is advisable. Some prescription retinoids include;
- Adapalene OTC
- Tazarotene
- Tretinoin
4. Consider Using Antioxidants Such as Vitamin C and E
a. Oxidative Stress Impacts Your Skin
Oxidative stress contributes to the Breakdown of collagen and free radicals. Although aging is a multifaceted and gradual process, endogenous and exogenous factors significantly contribute to oxidative stress, which triggers Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), leading to skin aging. Antioxidants disrupt the replication of free radicals to inhibit trioxide generation in your skin.
b. Best Antioxidant Serums to Apply on Your Skin.
Antioxidant serums that are best for your skin should contain active ingredients including: vitamin C, E, ferulic acid, phloretin, resveratrol, and green tea extract. Some popular brands with the above-named active ingredients include Skinceuticals and Image Skincare, offering a range of skin care products with antioxidant blends in their serums.
5. Hydrate Your Skin with Hyaluronic Acid
Skin hydration is not all about drinking water. Using hyaluronic acid is like rewarding your skin with a big drink, as it holds 1,000 times the molecular weight of water. Hyaluronic acid impacts skin health by sealing the water content in cells. It ensures that your skin stays rejuvenated and moisturized.
a. Why Does Moisture Retention Matter in Your Aging Skin
An aging skin is characterized by reduced lipid production, and using hyaluronic acid ensures skin hydration. When your skin is not hydrated, it develops dry patches, dullness, and appears tight, robbing you of that youthful glow. Additionally, aging skin cells lose their natural capacity to retain moisture.
b. Recommended Application Tips
- Cleanse and exfoliate.
- Hyaluronic acid serum should be applied to damp skin.
- Lock it in with a moisturizer.
- Layer sunscreen with SPF 50.
6. Always Moisturize Your Skin
Moisturizers act as a barrier to your skin, preventing it from numerous aging factors. Best moisturizers contain ingredients such as humectants that bind water to your skin.
Active ingredients such as ceramides, niacinamides, and emollients provide anti-aging benefits that leave your skin younger. Skin hydration protects you against environmental damage that could cause skin dryness, irritation, and accelerate aging.
7. Use Gentle Exfoliation to Boost Cell Turnover
This is another secret to healthy, glowing skin as it supports skin cell renewal. It is a simple beauty step that helps your skin peel off dead cells.
a. Choose your exfoliant wisely
Before purchasing an exfoliant, it is essential to understand your skin type.
- Mechanical scrubs- mechanical scrubs are perfect for thick and oily skin, as they have micrograins to remove dead cells on your skin effectively.
- Chemical exfoliants- Chemical exfoliants, including AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, are best for dry and mature skin.
- Exfoliating enzymes- Exfoliating enzymes are fruit-based. Papayas and pineapples are significant sources of these enzymes. It is recommended that people with sensitive skin use exfoliating enzymes, as they gently dissolve dead skin cells with minimal skin rubbing required.
b. How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Skin?
Ask the saying goes, “too much of something…” Exfoliating your skin is rough, and too much of it can lead to irritation and redness. Skin care experts recommend that you exfoliate your skin two to three times a week or once for highly sensitive skin. You will develop healthy and glowing skin over time with consistent exfoliation.
8. Improve Collagen Production Naturally
Collagen is a significant human body component, making up to 30%. It is found in the skin, muscles, bones, and other connective tissues. Collagen production heavily depends on your intake of amino acids.
a. Five Foods High in Collagen
- Beef bone broth
- Fish
- Chicken with the skin on
- Offal
- Gummy sweets
9. Beauty sleep is real
You have all heard somebody say, “I have to get my beauty sleep.”
a. How Does Sleep Affect the Regeneration of Your Skin Cells?
Uneven sleep patterns contribute to your skin looking dull, dry, and having an uneven tone. Resting or sleeping allows your skin to regenerate, repair, and strengthen its barriers. Poor sleep quality compromises the skin’s ability to regenerate.
b. Sleep Hygiene Tips for Better Skin
- Develop a consistent sleep pattern, providing enough uninterrupted time for quality sleep.
- Schedule yourself for bedtime habits that bring about calmness. Activities such as taking a warm bath, reading, meditating, and stretching are suitable for creating a calm sleeping mood. Avoid electronic gadgets before your bedtime as they interfere with your sleep cycle.
- Be mindful of your sleeping environment. A suitable bedroom for quality sleep needs to be quiet, dark, and with comfortable bedding. It is advisable to use products such as blackout curtains, earplugs, and eye masks to reduce disruptions that can keep you awake.
- Have a bedtime skin care routine.
- Eat lightly before bedtime.
10. Manager Stress to Prevent Premature Aging.
Stress significantly impacts your biological age and appearance. The human body stresses out from factors such as emotional distress, disease, medication, lifestyle changes, and environmental exposures. Stress elevates the cortisol hormone (stress hormone), which causes inflammation and skin breakdown. Increased cortisol in your body stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more oil, causing clogged pores and acne breakouts. It also leads to collagen breakdown: the essential protein that ensures your skin is firm and elastic. Chronic stress contributes highly to premature skin aging.
a. Mindfulness and Skin Synergy
Being mindful of your mental health can significantly impact your skin condition as a contemporary approach to natural dermatology. Engaging in mindfulness practices reduces stress levels, reducing the risk of stress-induced skin problems. Mindfulness will ensure you have healthier, brighter skin with a confident glow.
11. Your Skin Hydration Should be Done from the Inside Out
Many focus on repairing skin moisture barriers by applying products to their skin, but what they consume is equally important. For best results in replenishing skin hydration, you need to stay hydrated (water) since 30% of your outermost skin layer is made of water.
- Myth: Drinking much water will keep your skin hydrated.
a. Consider Eating Hydrating Foods that Improves Your Skin Elasticity
A diet rich in hydrating foods is the best strategy to ensure your skin stays hydrated. Food such as:
- Cucumbers, lettuce, tomato, zucchini, and watermelon are recommended for their high water content.
- Milk and other dairy products are high in water content and essential nutrients, making them excellent for your skin hydration.
- Fatty foods such as avocados and nuts provide your skin with essential fatty acids that improve skin moisture retention.
12. Limit your sugar and alcohol intake
a. Glycation (Sugar)
Sugar damages skin through the process of glycation. Sugar molecules attach themselves to proteins such as collagen and elastin to form a compound known as Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs). AGEs courses:
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Skin sagginess.
- Dull and uneven skin tone.
b. Alcohol has a Dehydrating Effect on Your Skin
Alcohol causes the body to eliminate excess water and sodium through urine production, which leads to loss of fluids in the body. Dehydration from alcohol makes your skin look dull, lifeless, with wrinkles and fine lines, and less elastic.
- Tip: For every glass of alcohol you take, follow it up with a glass of water to reduce the effects of alcohol dehydration.
13. Be Consistent With Your Skin Care Routine
Food for thought: Do you notice any weight loss when you work out for 2 days? What about a month? Yes, consistency is necessary for a fruitful skin care routine.
Maintaining a skin care routine should not be a burden. You might have a busy schedule, and skipping important parts of your day is easy, but a consistent skin care routine will only take a few minutes from your morning or evening. Once it becomes a habit, you will always look forward to that “me time”.
Steps to stay consistent
- Put a reminder.
- Make it a self-care ritual.
- Invest in skin care products.
Age Gracefully and Smartly
To wrap it up, ageing is a natural process that will mostly show on your skin. Ageing gracefully is a dream for everyone, young and even those in their advanced years. This article discusses simple but powerful foundations for attaining and maintaining a youthful skin. Be consistent with implementing the science-backed tips, including putting on sunscreen outdoors, hydration, using retinoids, skin nourishment using antioxidants, quality sleep, and most importantly, keep hydrated. These tips will support long-term youthfulness, healthy, and radiant skin. Skin ageing is reversible once you embrace change and develop a skincare routine that turns into a habit.
FAQ
- When should one begin a skin care routine?
- Is there a point where skin aging is not reversible?
- How long will it take to see results?
