So that you don't have to reverse the situation, I'm going to give you some tips and weapons to combat the signs of aging...after all, we all want to grow old with good skin!
What can you do to prevent and delay the appearance of those damn wrinkles or reduce existing ones?
SKIN CARE ROUTINE
The basic steps don't differ much from other skin routines, going through cleaning, hydration and photoprotection, but adding antioxidant and anti-wrinkle active ingredients.
- CLEANING, is the first step before applying other products; choose products that you like and that make this moment enjoyable.
Never go to bed with makeup on and without cleaning your skin well.
- HYDRATION, with moisturizers that may contain occlusive ingredients (which prevent water from escaping from the skin) such as silicones, petroleum jelly, ceramides, glycerin, or humectants (which retain water in the skin) such as hyaluronic acid. Perfectly hydrated skin is less prone to fine lines and is visibly plumper.
- SUN PROTECTION, always! With sunscreens applied in the morning and reapplied during the day (even so, avoid sun exposure), with SPF at least 30, or 50 in the summer. Choose broad spectrum sunscreens that offer UVA and UVB protection (if the UVA protection factor is not specified on the packaging, be aware that it must be at least 1/3 of UVB; for example, if SPF is 30, UVA protection is at least 10).
Remember that sunscreen is our best anti-wrinkle care.
Use products with ANTI-AGING INGREDIENTS with proven effectiveness:
VITAMIN C, an antioxidant active that has 4 important effects:
- Powerful antioxidant, eliminates free radicals resulting from sun exposure, so it is beneficial to apply it in the morning;
- It is necessary for the production of collagen;
- It has an anti-inflammatory effect, reducing inflammation secondary to sunburn with an anti-cancer effect;
- Depigmenting, leaving the skin lighter (reduces blemishes) and luminous.
You can use it in the morning as a serum, cream or emulsion in concentrations between 8% and 20%, and you should also apply sunscreen, with at least SPF30, afterwards to enhance the effects.
It is incorporated into cosmetic formulations in two forms, Pure Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), which is unstable and oxidizes in contact with air and light, which is why it is sold in opaque packaging to which it can be added Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid to lower the pH and to increase stability.
Brands like Sesderma and La Roche Posay use pure Vitamin C and others like The Ordinary use derivatives.
Oral Vitamin C supplements do not replace the application of products containing this vitamin, which must be applied directly to the skin through cosmetic products.
RETINOIC ACID and derivatives such as RETINOL, continue to be the molecules More powerful anti-wrinkle products with greater effectiveness on wrinkles and sagging skin, both in preventing their formation and reducing their depth, with visible effects on smoothing and renewing the skin.
THE retinoic acid (vitamin A) or tretinoin is a prescription medicine, which can be used both topically and orally (for example for acne treatments).
THE Retinol It is converted, after penetrating the skin, into Retinoic Acid, its active form. It acts on the DNA of cells, increasing their renewal capacity. Its effects are numerous, but the ones that are most important to mention now are the following:
- Increases cell renewal;
- Stimulates collagen production, reducing sagging;
- Reduces wrinkles and fine lines, whether resulting from chronological aging or photoaging;
- Reduces the appearance of blemishes.
They should be used at night, not only because it is the skin's prime regeneration period, but mainly because it is an ingredient that is sensitive to light.
Even so, always use photoprotection during the day.
It should not be used in pregnant women due to its potential teratogenic effect.
If you have never used retinol, you should take some precautions until the retinization process is complete, which takes approximately 30 days:
- Moisturize the skin beforehand;
- Start with low concentrations;
- Apply in small amounts- a pea-sized amount is enough for the face and neck;
- Apply gradually, successively increasing the frequency of application;
- Always use SPF50+ sun protection the next morning.
For sensitive skin, apply 1 to 2 nights a week initially.
On non-reactive skin, apply initially every other night, and then every other night, and then every night once the skin has fully adapted.
Do not use exfoliants or lotions with acids to avoid further irritating your skin.
Do not undergo aesthetic procedures such as peels.
For the sensitive area around the eyes, do not apply the retinol cream you use on your face, but a cream specifically for the eye contour, always testing it on a small area before using it for the first time.
When you first start using retinol, it is normal to experience some redness, a sensation of heat or flaking, which will go away with continued use.
DON’T FORGET THAT IT CAN TAKE UP TO 3 MONTHS TO SEE THE RESULTS OF RETINOL ON YOUR SKIN… DON’T GIVE UP, IT WILL BE WORTH IT!
GLYCOLIC ACID It is an alpha-hydroxy acid that can be used for peeling, deeply exfoliating, improving the appearance and brightening the skin. It stimulates collagen synthesis by accelerating cell renewal. It can be used in concentrations between 4 and 20%, and increasing the concentration increases the exfoliation capacity, but also the irritant potential.
After use, sun exposure should be avoided for about two weeks and can be repeated every two months, except on damaged or irritated skin.
Many formulations incorporate glycolic acid and retinoids for best results.
In addition to these star ingredients, you can also use others. antioxidants, anti-aging and exfoliating products such as Vitamin E, Resveratrol, Ferulic Acid.
These ingredients can be found in moisturizers or used in toners, essences, serums or masks.
What else can I do?
- Maintain an adequate weight and a healthy diet, using supplements if necessary;
- Avoid sudden weight fluctuations;
- Practice physical exercise regularly and reduce calories;
- No smoking;
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption;
- Avoid sugar consumption;
- Take care of your mind with yoga, meditation and other relaxing activities;
- Avoid sun exposure;
- Take Hydrolyzed Collagen and Vitamin C supplements;
- Sleep 6 to 8 hours a night.
Want to know more about the causes and types of wrinkles? Check out the previous article!
Want to know what precautions to take according to your age? Stay tuned for the next article!