As you age, your skincare routine should adjust accordingly. You may find that your complexion has become dull and dry as the years pass, but this doesn’t have to be your new reality. The first signs of aging tend to show up around the eyes; a few crow’s feet, dark circles, sagging eyelids, and that telltale crease between the brows. For women, the skin on the neck and chest begins to thin and become crepey. While aging is inevitable, there are many routines and procedures that can help improve the appearance of your skin.
Lotions
Over the counter lotions and serums have come a long way since the days of Pond’s Cold Cream and Oil of Olay. The best products will be packed full of ingredients that help speed the cell renewal process and keep the delicate facial skin hydrated. According to an article from WebMd, being familiar with your skin’s needs and making an informed decision about ingredients is the best way to replenish your youthful radiance.
Most anti-aging products, specifically night creams, will contain Retinol. Retinol causes the skin to produce more collagen. This ingredient will temporarily plump your skin and cause the outermost layer of skin to shed and be replaced with a new, less wrinkled layer. The thing to remember with products containing Retinol is that as the old skin sheds, it will become dry and flaky. The new layer of skin will also be more sensitive to the elements. When using a product with Retinol is incredibly important to moisturize and wear sunscreen.
The products below were included in a list of the best anti-aging products for 2017 found on Goodhousekeeping. Out of this list, the following products were chosen based on the praise they received from men and women, just like you. Each of the following lotions or serums include not only Retinol, but a list of powerhouse ingredients that have proven their strength against the signs of aging.
- Clinique Smart Custom Repair Serum
- Perricone MD Photo Plasma
- Skinceuticals Metacell Renewal B3
- Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair
- Boots No7 Lift and Luminate Night Cream
- Estee Lauder Perfectionist CP+R Lifting/Firming Serum
Surgery and Professional Help
When over-the-counter lotions and serums are not working to an extent that satisfies you, it may be time to consider a surgical option. Most of these procedures work in the same way the lotions and creams work, but they do it in less time. Instead of removing one layer of skin and slowly building back the new cells, multiple layers of skin are shed at once and the cell renewal process is more intense.
With procedures such as microdermabrasion, laser-skin resurfacing, and chemical peels, deep layers of tissue are brought to the surface resulting in a complexion that appears years younger than before. With these procedures, keep the skin hydrated and protected as it will be extremely sensitive to the sun and your environment. It is also important to only have these procedures done in a licensed dermatologist’s office by someone who knows how to give you the proper post-procedure instructions.
Other surgical options include cosmetic fillers, like Juvederm, and Botox injections. Fillers are gels, typically made from naturally occurring compounds produced in the body, that are injected into the tissue to plump the skin and fill in deep lines and wrinkles. These injections create a smooth appearance and can last for several years. Botox is a chemical that is injected into the facial muscles to cause them to relax, thus smoothing deep lines caused by the constant use of certain facial expressions (frowning, furrowing the brow, squinting). While both fillers and injections are safe procedures, there is always a risk of a severe reaction. Again, it is imperative that these be done by a professional dermatologist.
Cosmetic surgery and lifts are perhaps the most dramatic options available to you when it comes to battling the effects of Father Time. Although these types of surgeries are invasive, they are the most effective and long-lasting of all the suggestions provided here. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, it is very important to find a reputable physician and research all your options before committing to cosmetic surgery. The 3D Animations from their website are excellent tools to guide you step-by-step through the different surgical options.
Home Remedies
When surgery is not an option or when you want to maintain the glow you have received from years of impeccable skincare, there are two words you need to remember: Exfoliate and Hydrate.
Exfoliating your skin a few times a week will remove dead skin cells, boost circulation, and encourage the production of collagen and new cells. The finer the grain of the exfoliant, the better. Sugar, salt, and baking soda all make great (and inexpensive) scrubs for your face and body. Combining them with coconut or olive oil will keep you from pulling or tearing the skin and will provide the newly exposed skin with a healthy barrier that moisturizes and protects. Applying a cold compress or rubbing ice cubes over the skin afterwards, will cause a temporary tightening and smoothing of the surface.
Supplements
For an even better glow, you need to remember that true beauty comes from the inside. Consistently including fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins in your diet will boost your body’s ability to produce collagen. The antioxidants will make you shed and replace layers of skin more quickly, which means healthy glowing skin with fewer lines and wrinkles.
Ideally, your body will get all the nutrients it needs from a healthy diet, but if you do not happen to consume pounds of raw fruits and vegetables each day, you may need to consider supplementing your diet with products that deliver these ingredients in a manner that is more user-friendly.
In fact, many of the same ingredients found in the lotions and creams mentioned above are not as effective when applied topically and must be ingested to reap their full benefits. The following products are packed with antioxidants that have been proven through scientific research to help slow the aging process by boosting cell renewal and rebuilding collagen.
- Perricone MD Skin and Total Body Supplements
- Murad Hydro-Glow Cellular Hydration Supplements
- Phytocera
- HUM Nutrition Collagen Love
- HUM Nutrition Turn Back Time
Finally, please remember that when choosing products for yourself, quality is key. Look for products that are made with high quality ingredients and always check with your doctor before using anything new on your skin or before adding supplements to your diet. Severe reactions to a product can cause additional stress to your body which in turn, speeds up the aging process. True beauty comes from within, so treat your skin with respect by feeding it properly, keeping it hydrated, reducing stress, and staying away from smoking and heavy drinking. Aging does not have to be something for you to fear.