So 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 age with good skin!
What to do to prevent and postpone the appearance of those damn wrinkles or reduce the existing ones?
SKIN CARE ROUTINE
The basic steps don't differ much from other skin routines, going through cleansing , moisturizing and photoprotection, but adding antioxidant and anti-wrinkle actives.
- CLEANING , is the 1st step before applying other products; choose products that you like and that make this moment pleasant.
Never go to bed with makeup on and without cleaning your skin well.
- HYDRATION , with moisturizers that may contain occlusive ingredients (prevent water from leaving the skin) such as silicones, vaseline, ceramides, glycerin, or humectants (retain water in the skin) such as hyaluronic acid. Perfectly hydrated skin is less likely to form fine lines and is visibly plumper.
- SUN PROTECTION , always! With sunscreen applied in the morning and reapplied during the day (even so, avoid sun exposure), with SPF of at least 30, or 50 in summer. Choice broad-spectrum protectors that offer UVA and UVB protection (if the UVA protection factor is not specified on the packaging, know that it is obligatorily 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 proven effective ANTI-AGING INGREDIENTS:
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 clearer (reduces spots) and luminous.
It can be used in the morning in a serum, cream or emulsion in concentrations between 8% and 20%, and sunscreen must also be applied, 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 and to which Vitamin E and Acid can be added. Ferulic to lower PH and to increase stability.
Brands like Sesderma and La Roche Posay use pure Vitamin C and others like The Ordinary use derivatives.
Vitamin C oral supplements do not replace the application of products with this vitamin, which must be applied directly to the skin through cosmetic products.
RETINOIC ACID and derivatives such as RETINOL, continue to be the most powerful and most effective anti-wrinkle molecules on wrinkles and sagging, both in preventing their formation and in reducing their depth, with visible effects in smoothing and renewing the skin.
Retinoic acid (Vitamin A) or tretinoin is a prescription medication, which can be used both topically and orally (for example for acne treatments).
Retinol is converted, after penetrating the skin, into Retinoic Acid, its active form. It acts on the DNA of cells, increasing their capacity for renewal. Its effects are many, but the ones that matter most now are the following:
- Increases cell renewal;
- Stimulates collagen production, reducing sagging;
- Decreases wrinkles and fine lines, whether resulting from chronological aging or from photoaging;
- Diminishes the appearance of blemishes.
They must be used at night, not only because it is the regeneration period par excellence for the skin, but mainly because it is a light-sensitive ingredient.
Even so, always use photoprotection during the day.
It should not be used in pregnant women due to the potential teratogenic effect.
If you have never used retinol, you should take some precautions until the retinization process is finished, which takes approximately 30 days:
- Pre-hydrate the skin;
- Start with low concentrations;
- Apply in small amounts - a pea-sized portion is sufficient for the face and neck;
- Apply gradually, successively increasing the frequency of application;
- Always use SPF50+ sun protection the next morning.
On sensitive skin, apply 1 to 2 nights a week initially.
On non-reactive skin, apply initially every two nights, and then every other night, and can be applied every night as soon as the skin is perfectly adapted.
Do not use scrubs or lotions with acids to avoid further irritating the skin.
Do not perform aesthetic procedures such as peelings.
For the sensitive area around the eyes, do not apply the retinol cream you use on your face, but a specific cream for the eye contour, always testing a small area first before using it for the first time.
At the beginning of the use of retinol, it is normal to experience some redness, a feeling of heat or flaking, which disappears 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 is an alpha hydroxy acid that can be used for peeling, deeply exfoliating, improving the complexion and brightening the skin. Stimulates collagen synthesis by accelerating cell renewal. It can be used in concentrations between 4 and 20%, and when the concentration increases, it increases the exfoliation capacity, but also the irritant potential.
After its use, sun exposure should be avoided for about two weeks and can be repeated every two months, except for damaged or irritated skin.
Many formulations incorporate glycolic acid and retinoids for better results.
In addition to these star ingredients, you can also use other antioxidants , anti-aging and exfoliants such as Vitamin E, Resveratrol, Ferulic Acid.
These ingredients can be present in moisturizers or used in tonics, essences, serums or masks.
What else can I do?
- Maintain an adequate weight and a healthy diet, if necessary using supplements;
- Avoid sudden weight fluctuations;
- Practicing physical exercise regularly and reducing calories;
- Do not smoke;
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption;
- Avoid sugar consumption;
- Take care of the 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? See the previous article!
Want to know what care to take according to your age? Stay tuned for the next article!