Anti-Aging Skincare
Anti-aging skincare
Aging is inevitable, we are all going to age in our lives, but that does not mean we can't try our best to keep our skin as healthy as possible.
Some people love skincare and some people find it such an effort to do. You will thank yourself in the long run if you do your skincare and keep your skin healthy. We do not want to age before our time.
It is important to learn about the products you are using on your face and body before using them. So that is what you will be learning in this article.
What are anti-aging products?
While it is pretty self-explanatory what anti-aging skincare products are, it is still good to have an exact explanation to give a better understanding of what it is.
Anti-aging skincare products are formulated to help reduce signs of skin aging, leathery skin texture, dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles. They can be preventative or work to reduce signs of aging that are already there.
What is the difference between serum, retinol, and retinoid?
So what is the difference between these three?
Serums
Serums are a category of products that typically come in a liquid to a gel-like texture, containing more concentrated ingredients, formulated to be applied after cleansing onto clean skin to reap maximum benefits.
Retinoids
Retinoids refer to a larger group of vitamin A derivatives that are touted for their abilities to increase skin cell turnover, smooth fine lines, treat acne, even skin pigmentation, and stimulate collagen production.
Retinols
Retinols are weaker than retinoids as they require more conversions to reach the active ingredient, retinoic acid. More potent, prescription-level retinoids like tretinoin and adapalene (which are now available over the counter) have a higher level of retinoic acid.
At what age should I start to invest and use anti-aging skincare products?
There is no specific age to start investing and using anti-aging skincare products. Most experts will say your 20s is a good age to start thinking of the long-term health of your skin.
It is better to start early and not wait for skin problems to arise or for changes to start bothering you then you commit to a skincare routine. Always have a skincare routine so there are hopefully no future problems with your skin.
The best thing for your skin in your 50s is to use sun protection and look after your skin in your 20s.
We begin to lose one percent of our collagen each year at the beginning of our 20s, and we know that the loss of collagen can result in fine lines and wrinkles, sagging, laxity, and the overall textural change in our skin.
The best anti-aging skincare product is sun cream. Sun protection is the key product in our skin routine if you want to maintain healthy skin. Aging skin cannot be stopped but we can still try so remember to always use your sun cream no matter what. Some people think it is odd to wear sun cream if you are not in the sun but sun cream has more benefits than just protecting us from the sun.
Since an estimated 90% of aging skin is caused by the sun, protecting your skin from these harmful UV rays is the most important thing you can do in any anti-aging skincare routine.
Sun damage is cumulative, so it is never too early or too late to start practicing sun protection. Everyone should wear it- men, women, and children over the age of six months, including those who do not burn easily and have darker skin tones.
Sun protection even in children and adolescence can significantly impact your skin's aging. So, committing to optimal sun protection as early as possible will benefit your skin's appearance in the long run.
Common ingredients
Retinoids
Retinoids are a group of compounds having effects in the body like those of vitamin A. They stimulate the blood vessels in the skin, which improves skin color, fading age spots, and softening rough patches of the skin.
They are used in anti-aging skincare products because it reduces fine lines and wrinkles by increasing collagen production.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin found in citrus and other fruits and vegetables and is also sold as dietary supplements.
It is used to prevent and treat scurvy. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient involved in the repair of tissue, the formation of collage, and the enzymatic production of certain neurotransmitters.
Vitamin C is used for aging skin because it accelerates the production of both collagen and elastin, which helps keep the skin plump and firm. Topical Vitamin C can help prevent premature aging skin, restoring the youthful, smooth appearance of the skin.
Hydroxy acids
Hydroxy acids or alpha hydroxy acid are a class of compounds that consist of a carboxylic acid with a hydroxyl group substituent on the adjacent carbon. Prominent examples are glycolic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid.
Alpha hydroxy acids act on both the epidermal and the dermal levels. When applied to the skin, AHAs stimulate the exfoliation of epidermal cells in the stratum corneum by interfering with ionic bonding between the cells.
Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q1o also known as ubiquinone, is a coenzyme family that is ubiquitous in animals and most bacteria.
It is used for aging skin because positively influences the age-affected cellular metabolism and enables it to combat signs of aging starting at the cellular level.
Peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, the carboxyl group of acids being joined to the amino group of the next by a bond of the type -OC-NH-.
Peptides fight premature aging. When used topically, peptides act as commands that tell the cells to perform certain functions, such as collagen and elastin production. This is why the skin will feel younger, the number of fine lines and wrinkles decrease, and the skin becomes more even and bright.
Grape seed extract
The grape seed extract is a derivative of whole grape seeds. The extract contains proanthocyanins. The quality of Grape seed extract is measured by the content of procyanidins which are formed from proanthocyanins. Usually, grape seed extract quality contains 95% procyanidins, but potency varies among products.
Grape seed extract has many properties for fighting the battle of fine lines and wrinkles.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide or Nicotinamide is a form of vitamin B3 found in food, dietary supplements, and medicine. As a supplement, it is used orally to prevent and treat pellagra. Nicotinic acid may be used for this purpose, niacinamide has the benefit of not causing skin flushing.
Niacinamide has anti-aging ingredients that enhance barrier function.
Biotin
Biotin is one of the B vitamins. It is involved in a wide range of metabolic processes, both in humans and other organisms, primarily related to the utilization of fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids.
Biotin is often referred to as an anti-aging nutrient that will give you a youthful look and feel.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant for the central nervous system of the methylxanthine class. It is also heavily used as a cognitive enhancer, increasing alertness and attentional. Caffeine acts by blocking the binding of adenosine to the adenosine A1 receptor, which enhances the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Caffeine is an antioxidant surprisingly, which is known to protect skin damage from caused by free radicals.
Ceramides
Ceramides are a family of waxy lipid molecules. A ceramide is composed of sphingosine and a fatty acid. Ceramides are found in high concentrations within the cell membrane of eukaryotic cells, since they are component lipids that make up sphingomyelin, one of the major lipids in lipid bilayer.
Ceramides have proven antiaging properties. Ceramides hold skin together and form a protective layer to help prevent moisture loss and visible damage from environmental stressors.
Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid is a colorless, odorless, and hygroscopic crystalline solid, highly soluble water. It is used in various skin care products. Glycolic acid is a widespread in nature. A glycolate is a salt or ester of glycolic acid.
It can help reduce some of the processes that cause visible signs of skin aging. It can reduce sun damage and increase collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid, also called hyaluronan, is an anionic, non-sulphated glycosaminoglycan disturbed widely throughout connective, epithelial, and neural tissues.
Around 50% of the body's total hyaluronic acid is present in the skin. Changes in this amount, possibly due to UV exposure, can lead to the formation of wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid can significantly decrease the depth of wrinkles and enhance skin firmness and elasticity.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is from the African shea tree, the fat is extracted from the nut. It is ivory color and is widely used as a cosmetic moisturizer. Shea butter is also edible and used as a substitute for cocoa butter. We have a high dosage of natural shea butter in our Moisturizer.
Assessing safety and effectiveness
Consider these points when judging the merits of using wrinkle creams:
Cost
Cost has no relationship to the effectiveness. A wrinkle cream that is more costly may not be more effective than a less costly product.
Lower doses
Normal non-prescription wrinkle creams usually contain lower concentrations of active ingredients over prescription creams. So results, if any, are limited and are usually short lived.
Multiple ingredients
A product with two or three active ingredients is not necessarily more effective than a product with just one active ingredient. Likewise, using multiple anti-wrinkle products at the same time may irritate your skin rather than benefit it.
Daily use
You will likely need to use your wrinkle creams once or twice daily for a few weeks, before noticing a difference. If you stop using the wrinkle creams your skin will most likely return to its original appearance.
Side effects
Some products may cause skin irritation, rashes, burning, or redness. Make sure to read the instructions to limit the side effects. It may help to pick products that do not cause allergic reactions. Choose a product that offers a consumer hotline in case you have any questions.
Individual differences
Just because your friend uses the product and swears by it does not mean it is going to work for you. People have different skin types. Every product does not work the same for everyone.
Your anti-wrinkle regimen
An anti-wrinkle cream may lessen the appearance of your wrinkles depending on how much you use it, the type, amount of active ingredient, and the type of wrinkles you want to treat.
If you want to take guesswork out of your regimen, try these more reliable ways to improve and maintain your skin's appearance:
Protect your skin from the sun
Exposure to UV light literally speeds up the natural aging process of your skin, causing you to get wrinkles and rough, blotchy skin. Sun exposure is the number one reason for signs of aging skin, including uneven pigmentation. Protect your skin and prevent wrinkles in the future by limiting your time in the sun and always wearing protective clothing and a hat. Always use sunscreen on your face when exposed to outdoors all year round.
Choose products with built in sunscreen
When choosing skincare products, choose those with a built-in SPF of at least 15. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends SPF of 30 or higher for your face. Also, products that have broad spectrum, meaning they block you from both UVA and UVB rays, and water resistant. Apply sunscreen generously all over the body and reapply every two hours or more whether you are swimming or not.
Use moisturizes
Moisturizes cannot prevent wrinkles, but they trap water in the skin, temporarily masking tiny lines and creases. Check out our very own Moisturizer.
Do not smoke
Smoking causes narrowing in the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. It also damages collagen and elastin-fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. As a result skin becomes saggy and wrinkly prematurely. Even if you have smoked for years or smoked heavily, you can still improve your skin tone and skin texture by quitting smoking.
A board-certified dermatologist can help create a skin care plan by assessing your skin type, evaluating your skin's condition, and recommending products that are likely to be effective.
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser
Cleaning your skin daily is important for removing any skin care products or make up you have applied during the day, as well as natural skin oils, pollutants, and bacteria that has accumulated. It also means your skin products will be able to enter your skin and work more effectively.
You will want to use a gentle cleanser to preserve your skin barrier and keep it resistant to dehydration and damage. Cleansers with a low pH balance like natural soaps are very harsh and can leave your skin vulnerable to irritation and infections.
Use a physical or chemical exfoliant
As you age, your skin slows down the speed at which it replenishes itself. Dead skin cells are not replaced by fresh cells as quickly, which means your skin starts to look dull and uneven, and may even crack. Exfoliants are a great way to help get dead skin cells off your skin.
There are two main categories of exfoliants: physical and chemical. It is best to avoid harsh physical exfoliants, such as sugar scrubs and cleansers with beads, because it makes your skin more susceptible to sagging. Instead choose a washcloth or a soft sponge.
Pat, don't rub on your anti-aging serums
The general rule is serums like Korasana Anti-aging serum, contain a higher concentration of active ingredients than a moisturizer.
Moisturize
With age comes less sebum. This can mean less chance of acne, it also means your skin will dry out more easily. One of the main reasons for fine lines is inadequate skin hydration, but that is easy to fix with a good moisturizer.
Always apply sunscreen
As previously spoken about sunscreen is the most important step of your skincare routine. This is the best possible way to keep your skin looking young and healthy. The sun is the biggest reason for our aging skin.
Protect your skin from trauma
One of the key reasons for wrinkles is due to damage of the skin, and since older skin is more fragile, trauma can have larger effects.
Pressing your face against your pillow as you sleep can cause permanent "sleep wrinkles ".
When applying your skin products make sure not to tug and pull on your skin.
Look after the rest of your body too
Apart from your face the other key areas that expose your age are your neck, chest and hands. Make sure you do not neglect those areas. Keep them covered in sunscreen, and you will look 20 forever.