When you look at yourself in the mirror and notice slight lines and wrinkles beginning to form around your face, it’s natural to go into panic mode. And you’re not alone in that; every woman wants youthful skin, and it has been a perpetual quest. But as we age, so does our skin, which starts to change in quality and texture. Changes in skin are particularly noticeable once women hit their 30s, and there is no denying this aging process.
But it’s not all doom and gloom—the good news is that 80% of the signs of aging are due to environmental factors. This means that you can take some preventative measures to age gracefully and maintain soft, glowing skin even as the years pass. Here are eight anti-aging basics you need to pay attention to!
Feed Your Skin
Yes, you read that right. By feeding your skin, we mean eating healthy food, drinking plenty of water, and quitting bad habits like smoking. With age, our skin becomes more susceptible to the adverse effects of dehydration, poor eating habits, and cigarette smoke.
Ensure that you get sufficient vitamins and antioxidants in your daily diet. It is highly recommended that you Take Vitamin C and E supplements to stimulate cell turnover so that your skin looks rejuvenated and fresh.
What you put inside your body can determine the health of your skin. Vitamin C promotes healthy collagen, which supports the firmness of the skin. Fill your plate with seasonal fresh vegetables and fruits like oranges, tomatoes, and green leafy vegetables. Coconut water is like a magic elixir to replenish skin health, so stock up on that, too. At the same time, it is best to avoid greasy, fried, and spicy food.
Sun Protection is Key
Come rain or shine, you must protect your skin from sun exposure! Unprotected exposure to the sun can cause intense damage, even hastening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is why it’s so important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. If your skin is lighter, it can typically burn faster, so switch to a higher SPF formula.
Apply sunscreen at least fifteen minutes before you step outside and reapply it every three hours. Remember, while the face is crucial, you must also use sunscreen on your hands because this is the first place to show signs of aging.
Follow a Strict Cleansing Routine
Washing your face is a must at every age, but it’s all the more important as women hit their thirties and forties. Washing your face in the morning and at night helps to unclog pores and fight acne. If you have normal or dry skin, a cream-based cleanser will work great, but for oily or combination skin, it’s recommended that you stick to a foaming or gel-based cleanser. It’s a good idea to use a water-soluble cleanser that also acts as a makeup remover in case you’re too tired or lazy to use one.
Remember also to use toner, preferably alcohol-free, and facial scrubs not more than once a week to prevent skin irritation.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize!
When you hit your thirties, your skin will start to get dryer, making hydrating all the more essential. Even if you have oily skin, it’s important to moisturize. You can use moisturizers in the form of creams or serums, depending on your skin type, but many people tend to get confused regarding the difference between creams and serums.
The molecules present in creams are larger than those in serums. This means that serums are capable of penetrating deeper into the skin, unlike moisturizers, which can only penetrate so much. Serums deposit nutrients into the skin, while creams usually only hydrate the superficial layers. Serums are recommended for specific skin conditions like pigmentation, dark spots, or signs of aging. However, if your skin is happy with your usual moisturizer, you can continue using it.
Use Anti-Aging Creams
Anti-aging skincare products should ideally contain active ingredients like peptides, retinol, vitamin C, vitamin K, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, and Co Q 10. These nutrients are skin-friendly and help boost collagen production, enhance elastic levels, and hydrate the skin from within.
Preventive anti-aging creams can improve skin texture, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, brighten complexion, reverse sun damage, and even improve your skin tone. Plus, remember that it’s never too early to start a preventative skincare routine!
Pay Attention to Your Under-Eyes
The earliest signs of aging are marked by wrinkles and fine lines that show up around the eyes. Therefore, skin experts suggest using an eye cream once or twice daily to prevent this. Follow a nighttime routine of carefully dabbing eye cream under your eyes, on the eyelid, and around the sides. When you do this at night, your skin will be triggered to rejuvenate and repair itself while you’re asleep.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating the skin is one of the most basic skin care routines. It’s crucial because it helps to get rid of dead cells so your skin is glowing and radiant. Exfoliate your skin using natural ingredients like sugar, coffee, curd, and baking soda for best results, or you can look for reputed brands for products that suit your skin type. Then, using a gentle circular motion, exfoliate your face and neck. Repeat this two or three times a week.
Incorporate Facial Exercises
Studies have shown that age-related skin conditions like sagginess due to deterioration of facial tissue are partly caused by muscle loss. Therefore, it makes sense that facial exercises, particularly face yoga, are becoming so popular in skincare. You can incorporate facial exercises to enhance your skincare efforts by toning and stretching the facial muscles, which helps fight off signs of aging. A simple web search can help you figure out the best ways to carry out facial exercises.
Conclusion
As we age, life can sometimes take unpleasant turns, and we usually neglect our skincare. It could be a tough road ahead if you wait until the wrinkles have settled in to frantically search for anti-aging treatments. Maintaining what you have is far easier than getting back what you lost. So, it’s wise to take care of your skin before the wrinkles set in so you can retain your youthful glow for years to come!
