We all know ageing is inevitable, but looking older before our time? That is something we can prevent! Premature ageing (we’re talking fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness and more) is often the result of environmental damage, bad habits and how well we care for our skin! But by making the right choices now, you can keep your skin smooth, firm and glowing for years to come, really!
From powerhouse ingredients to smart daily habits, keep reading for our expert tips on how to maintain youthful skin for as long as possible!
So why start worrying about your skin before it shows signs of ageing?
Our skin naturally produces collagen and elastin, the two proteins responsible for keeping it plump and firm. But from our mid-20s onwards, collagen production starts to decline leading to loss of firmness, fine, lines and wrinkles. Cell turnover also starts to decrease causing dullness and uneven skin texture. To make matters worse, external aggressors such as UV exposure, pollution and oxidative stress (as well as certain lifestyle choices!) accelerate these processes by breaking down collagen and triggering inflammation. The good news is with the right skincare and lifestyle choices you can actually slow down the paging process and prevent it happening prematurely!
The non-negotiables of preventative ageing
1. SPF: Your no.1 anti-ageing essential!
If you only do one thing for preventative ageing, let it be wearing sunscreen every single day, come rain, hail or shine! And yes, even when it’s cloudy too! 90% of visible ageing is actually caused by sun exposure!! Crazy right? UV rays break down collagen and elastin, leading to premature wrinkles, sunspots, and sagging skin.
Just be sure to use a broad spectrum SPF 30 + and reapply every few hours if you are spending the day outdoors. And remember slather on your neck, decolletage and the often forgotten area – your hands, as these are the areas that show ageing first!
Many people can’t stand the smell or consistency of sunscreen (we hear you!) or worry about what is the best option for their sensitive skin, well not all sunscreens are the same! For more on the benefit of SPF, the best sunscreens and choosing the right one for your skin click here.
2. Hydration = plump, youthful skin!
Dry, dehydrated skin makes fine lines more noticeable, so you want to ensure you are hydrating your skin both inside and out daily! Make sure you try to drive your 6-8 glasses of water a day, use a hyaluronic acid serum (this will lock in moisture!) and layer your skin with a ceramide-rich moisturiser in the mornings to help strengthen your skin barrier. Honestly hydration is the key to skin looking pump and dewy!
3. Retinol - the gold standard for ageing prevention
Retinol (a form of Vitamin A) really is the no. 1 ingredient when it comes to preventing premature ageing. It’s every beauty expert’s holy grail! It works by increasing cell turnover, boosting collagen and in turn keeping skin firmer, more youthful and even toned!
The thing with retinol though is it can be harsh if used incorrectly. Plus finding the right product can be imperative especially if your skin is sensitive. Just be sure to start with a low concentration, opt for encapsulated retinol as it slowly releases into the skin, reducing irritation, apply a pea-sized amount just 1-2 times a week at first and if your skin tolerates it slowly increase frequency, use it at night because it makes skin more sun sensitive and finally always follow with a moisturiser as this will help to prevent any irritation. For all you need to know about retinol click here.
4. Antioxidants – your skin’s best defence
Think of antioxidants as your skin’s shield against damage from pollution, UV rays and stress. They help neutralise free radicals which break down collagen and speed up ageing! You can eat an antioxidant rich diet but also applying antioxidant ingredients directly to your skin can be game-changing.
Ingredients including; Vitamin C which brightens skin and boosts collagen, Niacinamide which strengthens the skin barrier and reduces inflammation and Vitamin E which hydrates and protects against environmental damage.
5. A Strong skin barrier = slower ageing
There are many factors that can lead to our skin barrier being damaged. From excessive sun exposure and extreme weather conditions to harsh skincare and over exfoliation! And when our skin barrier is damaged, it can lead to sensitivity, redness and faster ageing. To counteract this, it’s important to look for certain ingredients when it comes to your skincare. Ingredients like ceramides, peptides and fatty acids will help your skin to stay strong and resilient!
6. Gentle Exfoliation for a radiant glow
Exfoliation is another skin necessity. This is because exfoliation removes dead skin cells, enabling new ones to come through and in turn helping skin look brighter, smoother, and more youthful. But using the wrong exfoliator for your skin type or simply overdoing it can damage the skin barrier, leading to irritation and sensitivity. Eek! So be sure you use gentle exfoliants if your skin tends to be on the more sensitive side (formulated with ingredients like lactic acid or fruit enzymes), exfoliate 2-3 times a week max (not daily!) and always follow with hydration to keep your skin balanced.
7. Don’t forget your eyes and lips!
Our delicate eye area is the first place to show ageing because the skin is thinner and more delicate. Fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles can make you look older than you feel so make sure you introduce a good eye and lip cream into your daily skincare routine and be gentle with your application!
8. Prioritize your beauty sleep!
Your skin repairs itself while you sleep, producing collagen and elastin to keep it firm and youthful. Poor sleep, or lack of! Leads to dullness, puffiness, and accelerated ageing so try to aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep every night (this can be difficult we know!!) and sleeping on a silk pillowcase can really help reduce friction and prevent sleep lines.
9. A skin-boosting diet
What you eat really can show on your skin! A diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and hydration will help skin stay radiant and youthful. We are talking berries, leafy greens, nuts, and fatty fish! Just be sure you avoid excess sugar and processed foods as scarily they break down collagen!
10. Reduce Stress as it shows on your skin!
It’s easy to say don’t stress but we all stress! I usually do daily with all that I have going on! But chronic stress unfortunately increases cortisol levels, which can break down collagen and cause wrinkles, dullness, and breakouts. So finding ways to relax can really benefit your mind, body and skin!
You can try practicing meditation, yoga, or deep breathing, even taking some time out to practice self-care can make all the difference. I personally love to have a relaxing bubble bath once or twice a week (when my kids allow it!) and listening to music can help take me to my happy place! When you work out what help you unwind, try and do it daily!
When to start preventative skincare?
It’s never too early to start! Most dermatologists recommend incorporating antioxidants and SPF in your 20s and retinol and peptides in your late 20s to early 30s. But no matter your age, it’s always the right time to protect and nourish your skin.
Just remember though, the sooner you start protecting, hydrating, and nourishing your skin, the more youthful and radiant it will look in the years ahead.
