Whether you’re seeking preventative measures or you already have visible signs of aging, it’s never too late to adopt a skin care routine that supports graceful aging. With an overwhelming amount of anti-aging tips and products out there, starting a skincare routine can be daunting! So we’ve put together a step-by-step guide for proactive skin care that will support you in aging radiantly.
1) Cleanse
Start your skincare routine off with a cleanser. Regardless of your age or skin type, cleansing should be part of your morning and nighttime skincare routine. It’s important to cleanse your skin in order to remove remnants of make-up, as well as any build-up of dead skin cells, natural oils, bacteria, dirt, and pollutants from the environment. This layer of buildup can not only clog pore and keep your skin looking dull, but it also prevents any anti-aging products from penetrating the skin and working effectively.
Look for gentle cleansers with low pH levels and moisturizing components. Oil cleansers are often the best for removing eye makeup with minimal effort, helping to reduce the rubbing and tugging on thin skin around the eyes that can lead to wrinkles and sagging.
2) Apply a Serum
Serums deliver high concentration of active ingredients that target a variety of specific skincare concerns and are designed to penetrate skin deeply. Serums are the first step after cleansing.
In the morning, a Vitamin C serum is recommended for antioxidant protection during the day. In the evening, look to a hydrating serum with ingredients that help to rejuvenate skin while you sleep. Bakuchiol is an effective, gentle alternative to retinol and makes for a wonderful night serum.
3) Use an eye cream
The skin around our eyes tends to be quite thin and delicate, which is why this area is often prone to wrinkles, bags, hollowness, dark circles, and other signs of aging. That's why an eye cream is an absolute MUST - day and night.
Be sure to choose an anti-aging product that hydrates and targets under eye problems on mature skin, and avoid those creams that shrink and tighten eye bags within seconds - they're just gimmicks that don't have any long term effects and leave skin with a white film and cakey makeup. Look for products with ingredients that help to promote skin cell rejuvenation (such as bakuchiol), visibly fade discoloration (Vitamin C), and hydrate and plump mature skin (glycerin, hyaluronic acid). And don't forget the antioxidants!
4) Moisturize - your face AND neck
As we age, our skin’s ability to hydrate weakens which leads to the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Moisturizing should be part of your morning and nighttime routines, and be sure to share the love with your neck, chest, and hands. Adding moisturizer over a serum helps to lock in the hydration that the serum provides.
Look for products that provide a lot of hydration with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Mature skin beauties should seek a moisturizer that's rich enough to hydrate but absorbs well, and enhances the results of any makeup applied on top.
And don't forget the neck cream! If you suffer from sagging skin on the jowls and neck, creases and crepey skin on the chest, a neck cream can go a long way in improving and preventing those pesky signs of aging.
5) SPF - always!
We can’t say it enough: always use SPF Sun damage is one of the primary causes for visibly aging skin, in fact studies show that up to 90% of signs of aging are linked to sun exposure. The culprit is the UV rays, which cause wrinkles, sun spots, a decrease in collagen and elasticity, pigmentations and uneven skin tones, and other signs of aging.
For those who think their skin is too far gone with sun damage, recent studies have shown that consistent use of SPF can actually reverse signs of aging, giving damaged skin a break from UV rays and the opportunity to repair and rejuvenate.
Be sure to wear a coverage of at least 30 SPF daily, and reapply it every 2 hours or so. For those of us wearing makeup, there are mineral powder sunblocks that can be applied over makeup. Don’t reserve sunblock for days when you think you’ll be exposed to it more (like a beach day), instead make it part of your daily skincare routine.
Your skincare routine doesn't have to be complicated - just use the right products for mature skin and you will age with confidence and grace.