Skincare can feel ageist, especially when it comes to “anti-aging”. Overall, it’s important to maintain a healthy mindset and to embrace the aging process as a natural way of life. It’s no secret that as we age, so does our skin. The natural aging process is one thing we can’t change, but we can maintain our skin barrier through our lifestyle and skincare choices.

What Is Anti-Aging?

Anti-aging in skincare refers to the practices, products, and techniques aimed at reducing or minimizing the visible signs of aging on the skin. These signs of aging can include wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, age spots, and loss of skin elasticity. Anti-aging skincare is a constantly evolving field that encompasses tools and potent ingredients to maintain a youthful appearance and promote healthier skin as you age. It’s also important to take care of how you feel on the inside. Healthier skin also contributes to a healthy lifestyle, behaviors, and emotional wellbeing.

How to Prevent Premature Skin Aging

Use Sun Protection

Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the most crucial steps in preventing premature aging. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily, even on cloudy days. Don’t forget about your eyes! The skin around your eyes is the most delicate, so make sure to incorporate an eye cream along with UV sunglasses to avoid wrinkles and crow’s feet.

Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure

Avoid excessive sun exposure especially during peak hours (11 am to 4pm). Even tanning beds emit harmful UV rays. Overexposure to UV rays accelerate how quickly your skin ages.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration, hydration, hydration! The National Academy of Medicine suggests at least 13 cups of water daily, and higher amounts for those who are more physically active.

Quit Smoking

Smoking is a major contributor to premature aging. It causes wrinkles, dull, and sallow skin.

 Limit Alcohol Intake

Excessive alcohol consumption can dehydrate the skin and lead to inflammation, which can contribute to premature aging. Limit your alcohol intake and drink in moderation.

Eat a Healthy Diet

A well-balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can support skin health. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in your diet. Limit sugar and refined carbs.

Get Enough Sleep

Quality sleep is essential for skin repair and regeneration. During the day, your skin is in a protective state where it wards off against free radicals and sun damage. At nighttime, your skin regenerates new skin cells and detoxes. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

Stay Active

Regular exercise improves circulation, which can benefit your skin by delivering essential nutrients and oxygen. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.

Have a Effective Skin Routine

Incorporate anti-aging skincare products that contain ingredients like retinoids, antioxidants, EGF, marine collagen, peptides, and hyaluronic acid into your routine.

Avoid Harsh Skincare Products

Be gentle with your skin. Avoid harsh cleansers and over-exfoliation, as these can strip away natural oils and damage the skin's barrier. If you are cleansing away makeup, it is best practice to ditch the makeup wipes (as they contain high amounts of alcohol that strip the skin’s natural oils) and to use a melting balm or makeup-melting cleanser instead. Double cleansing is best at night, as pollution and environmental aggressors cling onto your skin, causing damage if not properly removed.

When to Start Using Anti-Aging Products?

The appropriate age to start using anti-aging products can vary from person to person, as it depends on various factors including genetics, skin type, lifestyle, and individual concerns. It’s generally a good idea to use preventive skincare in your mid-20s such as AHAs/BHAs to help exfoliate and to form healthy habits.

What Are the Best Anti-Aging Skin Care Ingredients?

• Retinoids (Retinol, Retin-A, Tretinoin): Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and are among the most effective anti-aging ingredients. They stimulate collagen production, promote cell turnover, and help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Retinoids can also improve skin texture and tone.
• Antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10): Antioxidants help protect the skin from free radical damage caused by UV radiation and environmental pollutants. Vitamin C, in particular, is known for its ability to brighten the skin, fade dark spots, and stimulate collagen production.
• Peptides: Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can help boost collagen and elastin production. They can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improve overall skin firmness.
• Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic acid is a powerful hydrating ingredient that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. It helps plump the skin, improve elasticity, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by providing deep hydration.
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Niacinamide has anti-inflammatory properties and can help improve the skin's barrier function. It can reduce redness, minimize pore size, and enhance the elasticity of the skin.
• Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): AHAs like glycolic acid and lactic acid are chemical exfoliants that remove dead skin cells, improve skin texture, and promote cell turnover. They can reduce the appearance of fine lines and age spots.
• Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): Salicylic acid is a common BHA that can penetrate into pores and help exfoliate the skin from within. It's effective in treating acne and can also improve the appearance of fine lines.
• Ceramides: Ceramides are lipid molecules that help maintain the skin's barrier function and retain moisture. They can improve skin hydration and elasticity. 
• Growth Factors: Growth factors are proteins that stimulate cell growth and repair. They can help improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and promote collagen production.
• Plant Extracts (Green Tea, Chamomile, Licorice): Some plant extracts have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the skin, reduce redness, and protect against environmental damage. 
• Sunscreen: Sunscreen is a vital anti-aging ingredient. UV protection prevents sun damage, which is a leading cause of premature aging. Look for broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher.
• Copper Peptides: Copper peptides can promote collagen and elastin production and improve skin firmness and elasticity.

What Your Anti-Aging Skin Care Routine Should Be:

1. 

   Gentle Cleanser

A water-based, creamy yet gentle, non-irritating cleanser that works as a 3-in-1, lifting away excessive oil, impurities, and makeup.

2.  Gentle Toner

The most weightless multi-masking mist that meets all your skincare needs. Use it as a toner, a setting mist, or as a midday refresher for parched skin. Featuring niacinamide and red algae to protect against UV radiation and even blue light.

3. Best Anti Aging Serum

A fast-absorbing and highly efficacious serum that works to correct and protect, restore, and replenish the skin with groundbreaking ingredients. Featuring EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor), ceramides, Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, licorice root, CoQ10, and 9 different peptides help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, promote elasticity and increase collagen. Doubles as an under eye serum for dark circles.

4. Best Anti-Aging Cream

With anti-aging peptides, EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor), collagen, and ceramides, this super-hydrating, age-defying cream lifts, and contours, builds skin’s strength, elasticity, and offers protection against cell damage. Delicate enough to use under the eye area.

5. Best Anti Aging Moisturizer / Oil

A lightweight and luxurious dry oil that’s versatile, easily absorbed and made for all skin types.  Carefully crafted with squalane, precious oils and ceramide -3, our S-Cell Dry Oil works to soften skin, improve texture, elasticity and, naturally moisturizes while it soothes and protects your skin.