BEST SKINCARE ROUTINE FOR PREVENTING WRINKLES
Aging is an inevitable process. And with time, our bodies will wear and tear. Our joints will begin to crackle and ache, and our energy levels will decline faster. The skin, the body's largest organ, will also begin to exhibit the years our body has weathered.
SIGNS OF SKIN AGING
You may recognize wrinkles as a significant sign of skin aging. But did you know that there is more to skin aging other than the appearance of wrinkles? Before identifying the signs of skin aging, let us first determine why skin aging occurs. There are two fundamental aspects of skin aging; internal biology and the external environment. Our internal biology consists of cells and tissues. And as we age, the cells and tissues in our body begin to deteriorate. And without proper nourishment, the cells and tissues may age faster. Exposure of our skin to the external environment is another fundamental factor in skin aging. The UV rays in sunlight, dust, humidity in the air, and much more; all contribute to skin aging. And despite your best efforts to minimize the external environmental effects on your skin, prolonged exposure will eventually and gradually lead to skin aging. Lifestyle also considerably impacts skin aging. Smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, lack of water intake, overexposure to the sun, diet, and stress can accelerate skin aging.
Here are a few signs of skin aging that you can watch out for:
- Skin dullness
- Coarse skin texture
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Dryness and itchiness
- Thin and fragile skin
- Skin pigmentation (also known as age spots or liver spots)
- Larger pores, warts, tags, rough patches, and blemishes
HOW CAN YOU PREVENT WRINKLES?
Although we can't halt the aging process, we can take steps to slow it. And the first step would be modifying our lifestyle. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, one that is enriched with nutritional meals is beneficial for an overall aging body. Drinking adequate amounts of water will support skin elasticity and hydration. On the other hand, sun protection will prevent photoaging. But if you want to go above and beyond in nurturing your skin and preventing the early appearance of wrinkles, then it is time to adopt a relevant skincare routine.
- Cleanse using a gentle cleanser to preserve the skin barrier. Continuous injury to the skin barrier can lead to dehydrated, dull-appearing skin. A gentle cleanser with low pH and soothing ingredients will sustain skin balance.
- Exfoliate with either a chemical or physical exfoliant. Dead skin cells accumulate on the skin, which needs to be removed with exfoliation. Avoid harsh physical exfoliants or over-exfoliating. Exfoliating 2 to 3 times a week is adequate.
- Pat on anti-aging serums that contain retinoids and vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that will boost collagen production, thus conserving skin elasticity. Retinol will replace old skin cells with new ones and prevents collagen breakdown.
- Moisturize to keep your skin hydrated. Your skin will produce less oil and will begin to dry out. Regularly moisturizing will maintain skin hydration, leading to the fullness of the skin.
- Remember your eye cream! The eyes are the first areas to display signs of skin aging. Targeting this area with anti-aging ingredients such as retinol, vitamin C, or niacinamide will prevent the appearance of crow's feet.
THE TAKEAWAY
Now that a skincare routine to prevent wrinkles has been established, when do we begin to abide by it? Well, it is never too early to start. Attaining a headstart in your 20s with this skincare routine will avert the skin aging process early on. Furthermore, you don't have to incorporate all these changes into your skincare routine immediately. Start with a minor change and build it up to a skincare routine you are happy with.