Once upon a time, not that long ago, wrinkles and aging skin weren’t a concern of ours until we hit our 30’s, but with new information and the rampant spread of social media, even individuals in their 20’s care about whether or not their skin is aging. And maybe that’s not entirely a bad thing.
Whether you’re in your 20’s, 50’s or somewhere in between, aging skin is 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 are the 7 generally accepted signs of aging skin:
1. Fine lines and wrinkles
2. Uneven skin tone
3. Loss of elasticity/sagging
4. Age/sun spots
5. Dull complexion
6. Uneven skin texture
7. Enlarged pores
Some of these changes are intrinsic – a result of the passage of time or genetics – things over which we have little or no control. Other signs of aging are due to extrinsic factors such as unprotected sun exposure, poor diet and lifestyle choices or neglecting the basics of skin care like cleansing and moisturizing each night. Thankfully, we can exert some influence over extrinsic factors.
Regardless of why your skin ages, happily there are many treatments and active ingredients that we can use to minimize the signs of aging:
Products to Minimize the Signs of Aging
1. Sunscreen
This is the number one thing we can use to keep the signs of aging at bay. Ideally, we’d apply this every day, even in our teens, but the truth is that it’s never too late to start. Whether you use a dedicated sunscreen or one that is combined with a moisturizer, it’s essential to choose a stable, broad-spectrum formulation every day, rain or shine, summer or winter.
The UVA rays that cause photoaging (as opposed the UVB ones that cause burning) are just as strong in the warm seasons as in the cold ones. You’ll be hard pressed to find a line more effective and with a range of choice for all skin types than perennial favorite, Anthelios.
2. Retinoids
It is certainly no secret that retinoids are the stars in the world of anti-aging skin care. Retinoids get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, unclog pores so that they are less visible, lighten dark spots, exfoliate, eliminate blemishes and increase the production of collagen. Is there anything that retinoids cannot do? If you’re looking for a gentle way to introduce retinoids to your skin, consider Apothekari A is for Anti-Aging retinal serum. It contains retinaldehyde, the least irritating yet extremely effective form of Vitamin A.
3. Alpha Hydroxy Acids
A dull complexion is no match for these compounds that improve the look of fine lines, soften the appearance of deep wrinkles and improve the overall look and feel of the skin. Exfoliators like glycolic acid, malic acid and mandelic acid work to slough away the old, dead skin cells to reveal the newer, more youthful skin underneath. They’re not all about looks, though: alpha hydroxy acids also work to remove the barrier that may slow or stop the absorption of other skin treatments like serums and moisturizers.
4. Antioxidants
The primary function of antioxidants is to prevent skin damage by neutralizing free radicals, unstable molecules that can cause havoc. Used regularly, an antioxidant serum can reduce premature aging of the skin. Your skin will profit by becoming noticeably brighter, firmer, more evenly toned and healthier. Vitamin C is a powerful and popular antioxidant that’s used in serums, creams and lotions. In order to reap the most benefits, look for concentrations of at least 10% L-ascorbic acid, a highly effective form of Vitamin C that is backed by the most clinical studies of any form of Vitamin C to support its use in skin care. Our favorite is newly reformulation Apothekari Bespoke Vitamin C Serum, custom-made when ordered and available in either 10% or 15% formulations.
When it comes to aging skin, we may not be able to stop the hands of time but being able to slow them down is a pretty good alternative.
