The years don’t go by unnoticed, and it’s a fact that this is reflected in your appearance. Sooner or later, expression lines and a few imperfections appear on your complexion. However, a good anti-aging routine can slow down or minimize the effects of time.
The genetic factor is decisive in aging, and that is undisputed. However, lifestyle is also a determining factor in how we age. That’s where you can take measures so that the passing of the years has a minimal effect on your appearance.
Good nutrition, regular physical activity, good rest, and a positive state of mind can work miracles. If you add to that an anti-aging routine, chances are you can maintain your youthful appearance for years to come.
The importance of an anti-aging routine
To help you understand why the skin ages, let’s first say that the epidermis (the outermost layer) is made up of 80% of cells called keratinocytes. These’re renewed every 28 days during youth, but then they do so less frequently.
On the other hand, a similar process occurs in the dermis (the middle layer of the skin). However, in this case, the fibroblasts of the connective tissue gradually stop producing reticular and elastic fibers, such as collagen and elastin.
However, aging is both intrinsic and extrinsic. The first depends on genetic and metabolic factors. The second is caused by external factors such as pollution and stress. It must be said that 80% of the latter is due to the effects of the sun.
The anti-aging routine helps to combat the intrinsic and extrinsic signs of aging. Its function is to revitalize the skin, making it look younger. It’s recommended to start practicing it from the age of 30.
The keys to an anti-aging routine
An anti-aging routine offers resistance to the signs of aging that appear with the inevitable passage of time. Such a routine involves four basic processes:
- Cleansing
- Treating
- Moisturizing
- Protecting
Let’s take a closer look!
1. Cleansing
You should always cleanse your skin, both in the morning and night. This is essential to remove excess sebum, dirt, and traces of makeup. If you don’t do it, all those impurities will accumulate in the pores, which facilitates the proliferation of bacteria.
There are many ways to cleanse, but the most basic is to wash your face with a cleanser that doesn’t contain soap or oil. It’s much better if it is rich in antioxidants. Just apply it with a gentle massage and then remove it with plenty of water.
2. Tone your skin regularly
Toning is the ideal complement to cleansing in an anti-aging routine. There’s a misconception that it’s only necessary for acne-prone skin, but this isn’t true. If you like to keep it simple, simply apply very cold water after cleansing.
If you want something more specialized, choose a good-quality anti-aging toner. These are gentle on the skin and also fight acne. However, they should be oil and alcohol-free.
3. Exfoliation and moisturizing
It’s very important that you do one or two exfoliations a week to remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin. This helps restore the radiance of your complexion and makes the products you apply to your face more effective.
It’s also very important that you moisturize your skin daily, as this prevents wrinkles. Look for a moisturizing treatment with products that have one or more of the following components:
- Peptides: These penetrate deeply and smooth wrinkles and fine lines.
- Retinol promotes the renewal of skin surface cells. The effect is a healthier and firmer complexion.
- Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that helps retain moisture in the skin.
- Hyaluronic acid promotes hydration and helps to fill in fine lines.
- Vitamin C: Although not a moisturizer in the strictest sense, Vitamin C protects the skin from free radicals, stimulates collagen production, and helps to reduce and prevent blemishes.
4. Anti-wrinkle cream
Anti-wrinkle creams provide moisture and nutrients. In addition, they stimulate collagen production.
That’s why they’re very good allies in your anti-aging routine. Basically, the effect they have is to minimize expression lines.
There are plenty of these creams on the market. It’s best to choose one that’s pro-collagen. They’re usually made with marine products. It’s also good that they contain vitamin E, which is an antioxidant.
5. Sunscreen: A must in any anti-aging routine
The sun is one of the main causes of skin aging. If you don’t wear sunscreen every day, the other steps in your anti-aging routine are worthless. Ultraviolet rays cause damage to the skin at the cellular level and accelerate aging.
Therefore, you should always apply sunscreen. Don’t forget to apply it to your neck, upper chest area, and hands. On very sunny days, also make sure to wear sunglasses and a hat.
6. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Any anti-aging routine should be complemented with a healthy lifestyle. Avoid tobacco and alcohol, as well as any kind of drugs. Exercise regularly and adopt a balanced diet.
Also, protect yourself from stress, sleep well, and healthily regulate your emotions.
Start your anti-aging ritual today
Cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and protecting is an anti-aging routine that not only helps fight age, but also skin problems such as acne. Together, they all contribute to a healthy, resilient complexion that’s less vulnerable to blemishes and wrinkles.
Remember to use products that have a balanced oil level. This way, you protect yourself from dryness, but don’t add extra oil to your complexion. Also, make sure the ingredients don’t contain alcohol.
Start your anti-aging routine when you turn 30. You may not have obvious signs of aging at that point, but you can delay its onset if you start early.
However, it’s never too late to start. If you’re over 30, daily care will help you recover some of your complexion’s freshness and prevent its deterioration.
