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How to Prevent Anti-Aging With Skincare?

Did you know that ageing skin is caused by both natural internal processes and external factors.

As we age, the skin's ability to repair and renew slows down due to reduced cell production, known as intrinsic ageing.

External factors like smoking, pollution, UV exposure, stress, diet, physical activity and overall health can also accelerate the skin ageing process. The skin serves as the body's first line of defence against external forces, but without proper care, it can begin to show premature signs of ageing.

Common signs of ageing skin include reduced volume and elasticity, increased sagging, fine lines, wrinkles, age spots from UV damage and a duller complexion.

What is Collagen?

Collagen is a natural protein in your body that keeps your skin firm and elastic. As you age, collagen production decreases, making your skin less structured.

A way to prevent this is to use anti-aging skincare products with antioxidants to protect collagen and promote skin repair.

Antioxidants protect against free radical damage caused by factors like UV exposure, smoking and stress, and they can also help maintain collagen production. Using collagen-friendly anti-aging ingredients in your daily routine can lead to firmer, smoother and healthier-looking skin while preventing fine lines and wrinkles.

Tip: Make sure to buy creams that use hydrolysed collagen, as regular collagen is a large molecule that is too big to be absorbed by the skin. Hydrolysed collagen is made of smaller collagen fragments, but this is only able to penetrate the outer layer of skin, where it gives you good moisture and can improve some visible signs of aging, like wrinkles, dryness and loss of elasticity. For improved results, it’s best to take oral collagen supplements.

What are ingredients commonly found in skincare products?

What skincare should I use? To achieve effective anti-aging results tailored to your skin concerns, it's crucial to know the right active ingredients.

• Retinoids: A range of compounds that are related to vitamin A that boost cell turnover, and improve the appearance of the skin, including fine lines and wrinkles, and texture and tone. It can prevent the breakdown of collagen.
• Hydraulic Acid: A substance found in the skin that helps retain moisture. It’s used to help hydrate our skin and reduce the appearance of ageing.
• Antioxidants: Help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Examples of antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea and resveratrol.
• Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Exfoliating acids that help remove dead skin cells to show the smoother and brighter skin underneath. They can improve the appearance of sun damage, uneven skin tone and fine lines.
• Beta-Hydroxy Acids (BHAs): Similar to AHAs, but they’re oil-soluble and target deeper in our pores, so they’re great for people with oily or acne-prone skin.
• Niacinamide/Nicotinamide: Also known as vitamin B3, this is used to make NADH and NADPH in our bodies, which are needed for many biochemical reactions.

But what about a skin regimen for longevity?

Best Skincare Tips for 20s and 30s

This is a great time to start your skincare routine journey and develop habits that will serve you well as you age.

We all know how many skincare products and trends are out there, so it can be hard to figure out what’s actually good for your skin. Here are some tips:

• Use a mild cleaner every day, washing morning and night.
• Use an exfoliator that contains a combination of salicylic, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, but don’t go overboard. Use a gentle exfoliator once or twice a week to avoid irritation.
• Use SPF30 or higher sunscreen every day.
• Use a skincare product that addresses any concerns you have. For example:
  • For skin ageing and dark spots, use a vitamin C serum or cream.
  • For mild fine lines and wrinkles, ache and dark spots, and to improve skin texture, use retinoid (vitamin A) products. Don’t use strong retinoids if your skin doesn’t need them, as this can lead to sensitivity.
  • For sensitive skin, avoid products with high concentrations of AHAs and BHAs and use fragrance-free products.
  • For dry skin, look for products that contain hyaluronic acid.
• Tailor your skincare routine to you, making it adjustable for different seasons.
• Stay consistent.
• Stop tanning, and don’t be out in the sun for too long.
• Remove your makeup before bed.
• A healthy diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can support skin health. Include foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins in your meals.
• Limit your sugar intake.
• Stay hydrated.

Skincare Anti-Aging Tips for 40s

• Use wrinkle creams, eye serums and other anti-aging skincare products to help lessen the signs of aging, but also:
• Use sunscreen every day and protect your skin from the sun.
• Don’t use tanning beds or sun lamps.
• Use moisturiser every day to trap water in the skin, including a facial moisturiser, a body moisturiser and a lip balm.
• Try washing your face twice a day to remove dirt, sweat and grime.
• Stop smoking to prevent ‘smoker’s face’, giving you a dull and dry complexion, loss of firmness in the skin, premature lines and wrinkles as well as leathery skin.
• Eat healthy foods. Learn about an anti-aging routine with nutrition in our blog post.
• Stay hydrated.
• Make sure you get enough sleep.

What is the Best Treatment for 70-Year-Old Skin?

During this time, people often notice that their skin gets drier, thinner and itchy, and it may look blotchier and may develop more age spots, wrinkles and creases. It’s also more susceptible to skin infections and irritates and bruises easily. Unfortunately, it also heals more slowly, but we do sweat less, although this traps more heat in the body.

There are a few different steps and lifestyle changes to think about at this age:

• Showering:
  • Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturising bar soap, cleanser or body wash to help soothe your skin, rather than dry it out.
  • Look for products with glycerine, hyaluronic acid and lanolin, as these are moisturising and can help reduce dryness.
  • Use warm water rather than hot, which can strip your skin of natural oils.
  • Stop using a louvre and use a soft cloth to wash your skin.
  • Keep your shower or bath short, and you may not need to bathe each day. Wash for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Before leaving the shower, pat yourself dry, leaving a bit of water.
  • Apply a creamy, fragrance-free moisturiser for dry skin within 3 minutes of bathing and throughout the day to restore your skin’s protective barrier and help with dryness.
  • If your skin is extremely dry, try using an ointment instead.
• Try to keep the air inside your home between 45 to 60 per cent humidity, and use a humidifier when the air feels dry. Dry air can make your skin dry and itchy.
• Wear gloves when gardening or while doing housework to reduce cuts and injury, as well as to prevent the sun and harsh chemicals irritating your skin.
• Wear sunscreen!
• Try going fragrance-free (not unscented, they’re different) if you have dry and itchy skin.
• Check your skin for signs of skin cancer. 

Remember, everyone's skin is unique, and it's essential to find products and routines that work best for you. Consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional for personalised advice and recommendations tailored to your skin type and concerns.

Build your knowledge of skincare with Cerm Beauty’s blog.

Example Supplement Anti-Aging Routine for Skin

Morning:

• Multivitamin: Start your day with a high-quality multivitamin that includes essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, C, E, D and B-complex vitamins.
• Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that helps protect skin from oxidative stress and supports collagen production.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3s help maintain healthy cell membranes and support skin health. You can take fish oil capsules or flaxseed oil.
• Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): CoQ10 is an antioxidant that helps maintain cellular health and supports skin's natural defences against ageing.

Afternoon:

• Collagen: Collagen supplements can help improve skin elasticity and hydration and support joint health. Look for types I and III collagen.

Evening:

• Resveratrol: This powerful antioxidant is found in red grapes and can help protect against environmental stressors and support cellular health.
• Vitamin E: This vitamin is known for its strong antioxidant properties, helping to protect cells from damage.
• Probiotics: A healthy gut is crucial for overall well-being, including skin health. Probiotics can help maintain a balanced gut microbiome.

Before Bed:

• Melatonin: Melatonin not only aids in sleep but also has antioxidant properties that can help combat the effects of ageing.

By combining a comprehensive skincare anti-aging routine with a balanced lifestyle and anti-aging supplements, you can effectively prevent and reduce the signs of ageing.

If you’re looking for longevity or how to live longer in other areas, read our posts on supplements and exercise.