This is a sponsored guest post.
Let’s face it, we’re all a bit (or more) concerned about aging even though it’s a natural process which is why we tend to seek the help of cosmetics. However, if this is your only reason for wanting to implement skincare routine habits in your life, then it’s time to give this some more thought.
What’s important to understand is the use of adequate and carefully chosen skincare products consisting of active ingredients that suit your skin type. This is essential not only for slowing down aging, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, but also for the overall health of the skin. Given that it’s the biggest organ we have, serving as a barrier that protects us from all sorts of infections and helping with the regulation of the body temperature, releasing and retaining heat when needed, high maintenance is something you should least associate with regular skincare.
Get in the Habit of Skincare
The skin aging products have always been an interesting topic and have seen explosive popularity in the last decade – we see them in magazines’ ads and hear about them on TV. And although it’s believed it’s important to start with the routine of caring for your skin in your early 30s, truth be told, it’s the mid-20s when the first aging signs become apparent. This is due to the loss of elasticity turning noticeable, so the sooner you start the better.
Before you dedicate yourself to this kind of pampering on a daily basis, it’s necessary to first choose skincare products that best suit your skin type. You can’t merely buy something just because of its brand name or because a friend recommended it, or you liked the price. Everyone’s skin is different and we all have different needs, hence be sure you know what your skin type is before you buy.
Furthermore, it’s equally important to be wary of the ingredients in the cremes, cleansers, toners, lotions and masks you choose to add to your pampering. Ingredients such as petroleum, sulphates, animal derivatives, parabens and other synthetic chemicals can irritate and harm your skin. For this reason, it’s best to choose ethical skincare products which are based on ingredients that are not derived from animals or animal by-products.
Formulated using the ingredients found in nature, like oils from fruits and flowers, ethical skincare can assist in preventing irritation, moisture loss and oil-balancing the skin. But even so, it’s advisable to read through the application instructions to avoid mistakes that can cause issues. Skincare products formulated for daily use should not be applied in the evening. Also, applying products with glycolic acid during the day is not recommended as the risk of getting sunburn is higher. In other words, be mindful about how and when you use certain products otherwise you won’t exactly be doing yourself a favour as there wouldn’t be any effects.
What’s more, the order in which you apply your products is crucial. It really does matter whether you apply an overnight sleeping face mask or facial oil before or after your moisturizer. Layering correctly ensures your skin receives full benefits of all the active ingredients. Basics like cleansers, toners, hydrating cremes and sunscreen should be applied in this order. Applying hydrating cremes first and then toners and cleansers, for instance, would be useless, to say the least. Additional skin care products you can introduce are serums (great for their antioxidant ingredients) and once or twice a week exfoliate to remove the dead skin buildup.
These steps should be followed before applying makeup as well. And speaking of makeup, never ever go to bed with your makeup on as you’re risking clogging your pores what prevents the skin from renewing itself. Hence, before crashing into bed for the night, wash your face. On a side note, over-cleansing is another no-no. It tends to dry the skin, causing irritation and breakouts, inviting bacteria in.
No, it’s not all in the genes!
You surely know someone who appears to flourish as they age. Some would say such people are blessed with good genes but how big of a role genetics play in skin health? According to scientists, genes only have some role in how fast our skin ages. Other factors such as the surroundings, stress, exposure to high UV levels, as well as the skincare routine you have, or lack thereof, can stress the skin and speed up the natural aging process. This certainly is good news since you do have control over ageing to some extent at least. Hence, stop using “bad genes” as an excuse to give up on caring for your skin.
Sun exposure, or rather exposure to the sun’s UV radiation, is one of the main factors for premature aging. Sure, you like to enjoy spending time in the sun, and you should because it’s good for the synthesis of the sunshine vitamin, i.e. vitamin D, however, anything exaggerated can be bad for. The rays penetrate the skin, damaging the cells when you don’t use the needed products (with up to 80% of the facial aging sings being the result).
Apart from the danger of premature aging, UV rays can cause skin cancer too thus it’s important to provide your largest organ with the necessary protection. Apply sunscreen to your face daily, and other skincare products (including neck and body) at least 15 minutes before going out and about. No matter the weather – cloudy autumn and chilly winter days pose an equal threat to the skin. So don’t save your sunscreen for the days at the beach only!
The nutrition is another factor you should pay attention to as it’s essential for providing the skin with antioxidants that can help defend it against free radicals. The way they do this is by neutralising their molecules thus preventing the aging signs from being shown in the form of wrinkles and discolouration. A well-balanced diet consisting of lots of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins is the key. And so is staying hydrated. So eat up and drink up mindfully!
In addition, poor sleep quality is another factor you mustn’t underestimate. After all, it’s called beauty sleep for a reason. It’s during sleep that skin is able to repair the damage that has happened during the daytime, thanks to lessening the levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Likewise, it’s when the body makes more collagen, essential for the skin’s elasticity and reduction of the visibility of fine lines. One thing to avoid though is sleeping on the side or on your belly. These positions cause pressure on your face what can cause fine lines. If you can’t sleep on the back, at least get a special pillow that can help you out with getting used to it.
It might seem like a lot of work, however, preventing is better than treating. And all of the efforts will pay off once you see a healthy natural glow that will surely make you feel great in your own skin!
