Anti-Aging Skincare: Tips for Youthful, Radiant Skin at Any Age
As we get older, not all of the beauty tips we loved in our youth might still work for our skin. We have new skin concerns as we age, from wrinkles and fine lines to dark spots from the sun. Of course, there are many anti-aging procedures out there, like injectors and fillers, but we’re covering products you can use to get youthful, radiant skin, while also embracing the natural process of aging.
*Remember, you can begin using a lot of these products before seeing signs of aging. Some early signs of aging begin in our late 20s and early 30s, so this can be a perfect time to begin using these products.
Understanding The Skin
Over time, collagen and elasticity breakdown in our skin due to external factors, like sun exposure and pollution, and internal factors, like genetics. As collagen and elasticity break down, we start seeing signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, sagging skin, and dryness. Thankfully, many products on the market can help reduce signs of aging. Here’s our short cheat sheet on the key skincare ingredients to keep an eye out for and why they’re so beneficial.
Retinol: Retinol is also known as Vitamin A, which is one of the essential vitamins and antioxidants we need. Retinol helps stimulate cell turnover and collagen production. It is ideal for reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic Acid is naturally found in the skin to maintain its elasticity. It is beneficial for plumping and hydrating the skin. Be careful with this product, since it can sometimes be irritating. Remember to always test products on a small part of your skin on your inner forearm or behind your ear.
Vitamin C: Just like Vitamin A, this is an essential vitamin and antioxidant. It is beneficial for brightening skin tone and fighting free radical damage. (Free radical damage can be caused by smoking, eating certain foods, and other external factors.)
Peptides: Peptides are made of amino acids and are essential for your skin, especially collagen production. Peptides are beneficial for enhancing skin’s elasticity, reducing sagging skin and wrinkles, and healing the skin.
Sunscreen: Of course, our list of key skincare ingredients for anti-aging wouldn’t be complete without sun protection. Sun exposure is the number one external factor of aging. We recommend 30 to 50 SPF. Anything over 50 will have limited extra benefits. Remember to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.
Building Your Routine
Creating a routine that includes anti-aging products and steps is essential. Of course, your routine can include more steps, but we’re simplifying the routine to just five steps.
Cleanse: Use a gentle cleanser to remove makeup, dirt, and impurities without stripping your skin. As our skin ages, it begins to get drier.
Sulwhasoo Gentle Cleansing Foam $34
Augustinus Bader The Cream Cleansing Gel with TFC8 Gentle Cleanser $74
Dermalogica Skin Resurfacing Lactic Acid Cleanser $49
Exfoliate: Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, which promotes cell turnover. This will help keep your skin smooth, healthy, and glowing. Some of the best exfoliators are Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA), Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA), and enzyme exfoliants. Whenever you exfoliate, it is extra important to make sure you use sunscreen.
ALPYN Wild Huckleberry Brightening Peel Mask $56
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant $37
Elemis Dynamic Gentle Resurfacing Pads with Lactic Acid $65
Targeted Treatments: Serums and creams with active ingredients will be key for targeting specific concerns like dark spots, inflammation, acne, and more. This is where you find most of the ingredients we’ve already mentioned, like Retinol, Vitamin C, and Peptides.
Tatcha The Silk Serum Wrinkle-Smoothing Retinol Alternative $98
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Derminfusions Fill + Repair with Hyaluronic Acid $75
Moisturize: You most likely have already been doing this step in your daily skincare and makeup routines. A moisturizer does exactly what it sounds like it does: locks in moisture to nourish your skin.
Summer Fridays Rich Cusion Cream Ultra Plumping Moisturizer $52
Dieux Air Angel Collagen & Peptide Hydrating Gel Cream $44
Sunscreen: Of course, daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is one of the most important steps. Apply sunscreen last. Make sure your sunscreen is broad-spectrum since this will protect against UVA and UVB rays (if it’s not broad-spectrum, the sunscreen only protects against UVB). You can use products like a BB or CC Cream, which is a moisturizer that incorporates sun protection with SPF.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Invisible Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 $38
Innisfree Daily UV Defense Suncreen SPF 36 $18
Shiseido Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 42 $38
*BB & CC Creams
Tarte BB Cream & CC Cream $42
Summer Fridays Sheer Skin Tint with Hyaluronic Acid + Squalane $42
Kosas BB Burst Tinted Moisturizer Gel Cream with Copper Peptides $38
Lifestyle
Remember, your lifestyle plays a large factor in your aging. Of course, a lot of aging can come down to your genetics and skin type. For instance, someone with oily skin will age more slowly than someone with dry skin. Your diet, exercise, sleep, and how you manage stress all impact your skin and how it will age. A diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins will support your skin more than one with lots of saturated fats. Exercise can boost your circulation. Sleep is crucial for skin regeneration. How you manage your stress will impact your levels of cortisol and inflammation. Of course, there are lots of other internal and external factors for how your skin will age, but doing as many things as you can to help your skin’s health is always good to do regardless of your age. The key to most of these things is to do them in moderation.
Age Group Tips
So far, we’ve covered tips for every age, but here are some key tips specific to certain age groups. These are general tips for age ranges. Remember, all skin is different and will need a personalized routine.
20s: Prevention is key for this age. Focus on hydration and sun protection. Begin to introduce antioxidants and light exfoliation to your skincare routine.
30s: Strengthen your skincare routine. Target early aging signs with retinol and peptides. Keep using SPF and begin to use products that focus on hydration.
40s +: The key is to revitalize and repair the skin. Focus on deep hydration, collagen-boosting treatments, and wrinkle prevention. Begin to integrate heavier creams and serums into your routine to maintain moisture, nourish skin, and target concerns.
When it comes to anti-aging skincare routines, prevention is often key, but that doesn’t mean you can’t treat signs of aging as they appear. Not only can you craft a skincare routine that targets specific concerns, but you can also get professional treatments, like peels and laser treatment, and facial massages to boost circulation and firmness. The biggest key is consistency, moderation, and patience. Getting youthful, radiant skin can take time. Remember, embracing aging gracefully and making informed decisions about your skincare. Get help crafting your routine from one of our talented stylists.
