Anti-aging is a loaded word and concept. It's a privilege to be alive, and yet society conditions us to hate all the signs that mean we're alive. We can age gracefully, however, and treat our skin the best we can and to prevent those less-than-appealing and very obvious signs of getting older that for better or worse knock our self-esteem. From sagging to lines, wrinkles, and skin that doesn't have as much bounce or softness, many of us parents have leaned in a little closer to the mirror to inspect the changes. Although this is bound to happen no matter what, because life and gravity, we can make those aging changes much more subtle without resorting to expensive lasers or surgeries to do so.
Despite what Instagram may tell us, it's possible to restore skin to look healthy and actually be healthy through easy habits and affordable products. To help get started, we rounded up our some of the best tips that make aging gracefully a bit easier.
Ditch Makeup Wipes & Use Oil-Based Makeup Removers
Makeup wipes used to be a godsend in college, when the last thing we wanted to do after a drunken night out was to crawl home and wash our faces. Those days, however, are long gone, and although the late nights are because of tired babies instead of beer pong games, wipes just don't cut it. They just move the makeup around the face at best, and at worst they unnecessarily tug on the skin. Using a gentle oil-based cleanser or makeup-removing balm and double cleansing removes that dirt in a gentler way.
Pat, Don't Wipe the Face Clean
In case we weren't clear: Tugging and rubbing the skin is not great, and that goes for wiping things on the face and drying the face with a towel. Overdoing rubbing can lead to irritation and premature lines and wrinkles. Instead, patting is the way to go, and using gentle towels or cotton pads is a gentle and effective way to remove dirt or makeup.
Swap Cotton Pillowcases for Satin Pillowcases
Yes, pillows can tug at the skin and over time create lines and creases on the face despite doing no rubbing on our part, especially if you sleep on your side or face down. A way to ease the night friction? Skin enthusiasts recommend replacing normal pillow cases with satin ones, which feel good and can help make you look good.
Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliating is one of the best ways, aside from a good double cleanse, to remove the dead skin cells, dirt, and oil that can build up on the skin and cause acne or a barrier that prevents skin from getting nutrients and nourishment from skin care items it needs.
Rejuvenating skin cell turnover through exfoliating methods, chemically in particular, also helps build up collagen and elastin. Just try to keep the skin barrier intact by not overdoing it.
Incorporate Hydrating Serums in Your Routine
Like we mentioned in the previous slide, the best way to prevent harsh wrinkles or lines on the face and keep it looking supple and bright is through hydration first and always. Hydration can come through a good moisturizer and serums and applying them to slightly damp skin for the best absorption.
Skin that's dehydrated tightens up, showing signs of aging that aren't aging-related. This can be reversed, however, by repairing the skin barrier with moisture methods and super creams, such as LaRoche Posay's B5 Cicaplast cream.
Invest in a Good Eye Cream
Eye cream isn't necessary to a routine. As long as a moisturizing serum or cream can be massaged in the eye area, that should suffice. For people who need a little extra something-something in their eye area, however, whether because of dark circles, extra deep lines, or extreme sensitivity, a good eye cream can change the game. There are ones formulated with ingredients to really hydrate, brighten, and soothe the eye area.
Use Moisturizers With Collagen & Peptides
Moisturizing is so important to a healthy, aging-conscious routine that we need to mention it again. Skin hydration is key, but it can go a step further, especially when it comes to keeping skin suppleness and elasticity intact. That's by using hydrating creams or gels formulated with collagen and peptides, things the skin can lose with age.
Start a Retinoid
Retinoids are becoming more well-known, especially prescription retinoid and acne medication Tretinoin. They're tricky, as they are super strong and can damage the skin barrier if overapplied or too much is applied too often too soon. But once healthily integrated into a routine, it's one of the best anti-aging products around. Over-the-counter retinoids do exist as well so you can find one that works best for you.
Purchase Collagen-Supporting Supplements & Vitamins
First and foremost, talk to your doctor about the safest things you can try when it comes to natural anti-aging remedies. A lot of supplements aren't FDA-approved, and too much can cause even more problems. But with support and research, there are safe and natural vitamins that can target certain body functions enough to improve them, including adding extra collagen through vitamins or a glow.
Avoid Rubbing Eyes or Face
Rubbing your eyes or skin every so often won't cause wrinkles that wouldn't have otherwise formed, but making it a habitual movement can. This may have happened more as a kid, but even this writer still catches herself rubbing her eyes on a particularly sleepy evening. A way to break this habit could be by wearing a sleeping mask at night (a silk or satin one, of course) as a barrier.
Another would be to prioritize sleep. More sleep is a great (and free) anti-aging regime as the skin regenerates the most when we are sleeping because that gives it time to heal.
Protect the Skin Barrier (Through Products & Overall Health)
A compromised and dehydrated skin barrier happens when the top layer of the skin is burned or/and lacking the moisture it needs to function without irritation. It'll be itchy or red and flaky and have lines. To help combat this, you need a good serum and moisturizer but also be cognizant to not go overboard with products that can compromise the barrier. Hormones and thyroid function can also trigger skin issues, so paying attention to overall health can definitely benefit when it comes to fighting aging.
Get Facials Every Now & Then
Facials are a privilege. Much of the time, getting a facial done by a professional usually includes exfoliating, extraction, and hydrating treatments done by an aesthetician. That being said, if it's possible to get one, they can help when it comes to keeping skin healthy, clear, and hydrated because all of the treatments mentioned earlier are done by some of the best products and by a professional who can really target skin issues to remedy them faster.
Wear Sunscreen Daily
Last, but the most important anti-aging tip of all, is to wear sunscreen. Period. Sunscreen protects the skin from harmful UV rays from the sun and other forms of light (such as blue light in some instances) that can cause a burnt, compromised barrier, dryness, discoloration, and skin cancer to name just a few things. It's also key if you are using retinols in your routine as they can make the skin even more sensitive to the sun.
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