Listen up, sweet young things: your Pharmacist has some advice for you which will remind you of what your wise Auntie has always advised you – “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. If you want to have good skin as you age, act early to keep the good skin you’ve got.
You may find it hard to believe now, but that wonderfully smooth, clear and taut skin will start to show signs of aging. You know… wrinkles and fine lines, dryness, discolored patches (hyperpigmentation), enlarged pores, and puffy or sagging areas. While some of it is inevitable there are steps you can take to slow down the process and minimize damage.
Signs of aging skin are all caused by changes in the deeper layers of the skin resulting from UV damage, collagen loss, less active sebaceous glands and a decrease in skin cell turnover. These 3 products should be sitting on the counter of every twenty something:
Tip 1. Sunscreen
Cover Up. Always. Experts agree that the sun’s UV rays are responsible for more than 80% of skin aging. Think about it. If you were to avoid sun exposure, your skin would age very slowly or very little. Of course, avoiding the sun is next to impossible and who’d want to anyhow? That’s why it’s so important to use a good UVA/UVB blocking sunscreen daily, year round. Start early and never forget. Choose from our wide selection of sunscreens including top selling Anthelios sunscreens and Ombrelle sunscreens. Formulated with Mexoryl technology, they won’t let you down.
Tip 2. Antioxidants
Ingredients including Vitamin C, Vitamin E and green tea help to fight against free radical damage caused by exposure to UV rays, pollution etc. They can also help to boost the protection afforded by your sunscreen. I’m a big fan of Vitamin C, which not only acts as an antioxidant but also boosts collagen production, brightens skin tone and increases the moisture content of skin. Apothekari Antioxidant C+E is formulated with ferulic acid and delivers strong protection in a light and easy to apply serum. View all our antioxidants here.
Tip 3: Retinoids
Retinoids, which are derivatives of Vitamin A are the ultimate anti-aging ingredient. Capable of reversing sun damage, they can also boost collagen production which leads to saggy skin and fine lines and increase skin cell turnover leaving skin looking smooth and glowing. Opt for a prescription retinoid (retinoic acid, tazarotene etc) or try an over the counter formulation containing retinol as in Green Cream. Green Cream has the advantage of delivering effective results while being a bit more gentle on skin.
It goes without saying that you should cleanse daily at bedtime to remove make-up and oil. Choose a cleanser appropriate for your skin type from our wide selection here. Auntie would be so proud.
