AGING WELL: SKIN CARE ROUTINE
You cannot prevent aging, but you can prevent or reduce many of the internal and external assaults on your face that lead to premature aging. Most of us know we need to protect our skin from premature aging, avoid the sun, don’t smoke, don’t drink, etc.
But do you know what you need to proactively DO?
Here is a list of dos and dont's and our beauty experts top things you can do for your skin to prevent premature aging!
Diet - Aging of your face is influenced by both internal body factors and by external factors. Internal factors include your genes, hormones, and diet.
Do: Make fruits a substantial part of your diet. Brightly colored fruits such as strawberries and blueberries, rich in vitamins and anti-oxidants, are especially good for your skin and also for your overall health. Foods that contain vitamin A, C. B3 and E may be protective for your skin according to recent researches. Supplement your diet with a multivitamin if you suspect your diet may be deficient.
Don't: Don't eat a diet devoid of fruits and vegetables.
Free radicals - Free radicals are generated by various molecular interactions in your body. A fatty diet and pollutants can increase the amount of free radicals. Free radicals damage skin cells and promote aging.
DO: Eat a diet rich in antioxidants. Many berries are good sources of antioxidants. Use skin care creams with antioxidants.
Don't: Don't eat a diet rich in saturated fats. Avoid exposure to pollutants and harsh chemicals.
Sun - Dermatologists argue that sun exposure is a major cause of face wrinkles and skin damage. It does not happen overnight, the damage may take years to develop. Besides damage to the outer skin layer, the UV rays of the sun also damage the underlying structure, composed of collagen and elastin fibers. However, you have to balance the health effects of sun exposure with the damage caused by UV rays. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in the UK and may be caused by insufficient exposure to sun light and overuse of UV-protective creams. Although vitamin D supplements are available, sunlight hitting the skin produces vitamin D without posing a risk of excessive and possibly toxic vitamin D intake.
DO: Prevent sun damage to the face by limiting the amount of time you spend unprotected in the sun. About 15 minutes a day is sufficient to produce sufficient vitamin D. Prevent long periods of sun exposure by wearing sunglasses and shading the face with a hat. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen, which blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
Don't: Don't spend long periods of time in intense sunlight without UV protection. Don't frequent tanning salons.
Manage stress - Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger skin problems. Take steps to manage your stress such as scaling back your to-do list and making time to do things you enjoy.
Smoking - Smoking promotes wrinkles and older-looking skin. When you smoke, blood flow in your skin decreases, because the tiny blood vessels, called capillaries, constrict. When the skin in your face does not get enough blood, it also does not get enough oxygen and nutrients. The underlying fibers, mostly collagen and elastin, give strength and elasticity to your facial skin. Smoking damages these fibers. Some research suggests that even persistent second hand smoke may damage your facial skin.
DO: Give up smoking. Find a method that will work for you. Quitting smoking is hard, but it comes with many other health benefits. If you don't smoke, avoid frequent and prolonged exposure to second hand smoke.
Don't: Don't give up trying to quit smoking. Don't expose yourself to prolonged periods of second hand smoke.
Weather - Climates with dry and intense heat can dry out your facial skin, but also cold air and wind can suck out the moisture from your face.
DO: Apply moisturizer frequently in hot and dry climates. Wear moisturizers, creams and protective clothing such as a scarf to shield your face in cold and windy weather.
Don't: Don't go outside without applying moisturizers or creams and wearing a scarf to protect your face.
Eyes - Fine wrinkles around the eyes are usually the first sign that your face is aging.
DO: Wear daily eye cream or moisturizer around your eyes. Because many moisturizers have ingredients that may irritate your eyes, an eye cream is a better option.
Don't: Don't neglect your eyes when applying a moisturizer or cream, because the skin around your eyes is especially thin and vulnerable.
Moisturizers - Moisturizers help your skin to retain more water, preventing your skin from drying out. Some creams contain retinoids, which are compounds related to vitamin A. Retinol or retinoids stimulate collagen production and also reduce the pigment of "liver spots", which are little brown spots that often spring up after sun exposure.
DO: Use a moisturizer daily to protect your facial skin. Use an oil-free gel-based moisturizer in your twenties to prevent breakouts. Use oil-based or richer moisturizers as you get older.
Don't: Don't wash your face with soaps that remove the natural oils from your skin. Use soaps or cleansers, containing moisturizer, to wash your face.
And MOST IMPORTANTLY develop a good skin care habit as a daily routine at it is essential for healthier, younger-looking skin.
Here is our suggested Anti-Aging Skin Care Routine:
In the morning:
1. Wash your face. Use a non-soap cleanser and warm water to remove dirt and oil.
2. Use an eye cream. The area around your eyes is the first place to show visible signs of aging. The skin here tends to be thinner, drier and more sensitive.
3. Moisturize. Each time you wash your face, you remove some of its natural moisture. Keeping your skin hydrated reduces the appearance of fine lines and controls oil production.
Before bed time:
1. Wash and exfoliate. Use a gentle cleanser! We recommend our specially formulated exfoliating cream in order to tighten the skin, remove dead cells, impurities, unclog pores, improving the circulation of blood and lymph while enhancing the detoxification process through your skin and best of all reverse the effects of aging.
2. Use an eye cream. Apply the same eye cream you used in the AM.
3. Smooth on a serum. Serums have a higher concentration of active ingredients and penetrate deeper to help repair your skin. Serums are lightweight, super-hydrating and typically won’t clog pores.
While some signs of aging skin are inevitable, there’s a lot you can do to look your best at any age. Remember that taking good care of yourself is the most important step in your anti-aging skin care program.
Love the skin you are in!