We’re all fighting against the clock to keep our faces young and fresh for as long as possible. But, aging is a natural process and we should embrace it! This doesn’t mean we can’t take care of ourselves though. While there are a million ways to age with grace, you might be asking yourself: when should I start anti-aging?
We’ve compiled a guideline for when and how you can start your anti-aging skincare journey. This applies to every age group! However, it’s important to note that age is only a number, especially when it comes to skincare. Most people ask ‘when’ they should start, when the question really should be ‘why’! Taking care of our skin based on current skin conditions, and not relying on age as a guideline, is the best form of skincare.
How To Start Anti-Aging Right Now
Here are some things that everyone, yes everyone, can start implementing into their routines now! No matter how old you are, these two steps are crucial for daily life if you want to look ‘young for your age.’
Sunscreen and Sun Safety
If you’re wary of aging, then protect yourself from the greatest cause – The sun! More than 80% of premature aging is caused by sun damage. UVB and UVA rays from the sun can create early degradation of collagen (our skin’s building blocks). Make sure to apply sunscreen generously. Every. Single. Day! It’s a long-term investment and your skin will surely thank you for it.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Lack of sleep, having a poor diet, and stress can speed up the aging process not only for our skin, but for our entire body! Hence, maintaining a healthy lifestyle through diet, exercise, and sufficient rest is a great, yet indirect, way of slowing down the aging process.
Anti-Aging For Teenagers
During our teenage years, we don’t really pay much thought to aging. However, starting early with anti-aging never hurts. So, here’s a few ways to start your anti-aging skincare routine as a teenager.
Moisturizer
When you might be dealing with teenage acne, you definitely shouldn’t skip this step. Moisturizer is essential for keeping that skin barrier healthy and making your skin young and plump. And with all that acne treatment, your skin will need the extra moisture to replenish its drying effect. Using a gel-light moisturizer will feel refreshing and balance your skin at the same time.
Reapply Sunscreen
Teenagers spend a lot of time outside and/or exercising. Which makes it crucial to reapply that sunscreen! Keep a travel-friendly sunscreen at hand and reapply after you sweat, exercise, or before going on an extensive outdoor activity to avoid getting sunburned.
For 20 Year Olds
Now the attention to aging begins! Starting from our mid-20’s, the production of collagen declines each year…so anti-aging should be a priority!
Step Up Your Moisturizing
Our skin starts producing less and less water-retaining capabilities. That’s why when you reach your mid-20’s your skin becomes easily dehydrated or tight feeling. Giving a perfect opportunity to change up your moisturizer! Switch to a more nourishing and hydrating moisturizer, rich in emollients and occlusives, such as natural plant oil, ceramides, or NMF!
Antioxidant-Rich Products
Find some products with ingredients rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin B, Resveratrol, Coq-10, and more. During the day, these ingredients can boost your sunscreen’s effectiveness in fighting off free radicals. At night, they can help repair damage done throughout the day.
Exfoliate
The turnover rate for our skin cells declines each year! So, you might notice that your skin looks more dull or textured as you age. This is where exfoliating comes in! Exfoliators with AHA, BHA, and/or PHA can help brush off that layer of dead skin cells to reveal younger and fresher looking skin.
For 30-40 Year Olds
This is the time you notice the most change in your skin. Loss of elasticity or stubborn hyperpigmentation may be issues you have to deal with. Here are some ingredients to search for!
Retinol
Starting retinol once you hit your 30s would be good to start preventing and reversing any early signs of aging. Retinol converts to retinoic acid which signals our skin cells to produce more collagen! If you want to learn more about retinoids, check out our previous posts here.
Ascorbic Acid
Not only does vitamin C control hyperpigmentation and contain high amounts of antioxidants, but it also helps to reverse signs of premature aging. Vitamin C is a multi-talented ingredient that addresses a variety of skin concerns, including aging!
Peptides
Peptides are a chain of amino acids that serve as a structural base for proteins. And these proteins include collagen and elastin that build our skin’s elasticity and plumpness. Peptides work as enzyme inhibitors, carriers, and signalers that stimulate collagen production or in the very least prevent degradation of collagen from happening. The most commonly found peptides in skincare ingredients are copper tripeptide, tripeptide-1, palmitoyl-tripeptide, acetyl hexapeptide, and many more!
Another common skin concern of people in this age group is hyperpigmentation. Make sure to look at our post about hyperpigmentation for more information!
For 50 Year Olds
Once you hit 50, your body and skin go through many changes. With hormonal changes playing a big part, it means there’s more work needed than just taking care of your skin. While maintaining your skincare regime related to the anti-aging ingredients under the 30-40’s age category, it might be best to get a prescription-strength retinoic acid.
Prescription-strength retinoic acid is a great option for reversing and protecting your skin from damage. But, make sure to use them as your dermatologist prescribes. If you’re experiencing any changes or skin concerns that bother you, don’t hesitate to discuss with your doctor for special medical treatment!
We hope this Picky Guide was helpful for you on your journey to younger looking skin! It’s never too late to start using anti-aging products, and you can start right now by heading over to the Picky app! Search through products using the anti-aging concern filter to discover products that will help you achieve your skin goals.
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