Anti Aging Skin Care Routine

Nowadays, there are a lot of surgical and nonsurgical procedures that target signs of aging. However, a cosmetic procedure is not enough. You need take care of your skin on a daily basis and develop a skin care routine, which can be extremely beneficial for slowing the process of aging.

Washing your face with a gentle cleanser is probably the best way to remove very product you have applied to your face during the day, along with all the natural skin oils and accumulated bacteria. The best cleanser to use is a gel one or a foam one since they are not too harsh on the skin and will prevent damage and dehydration. In contrast, cleansers with a high pH, such as natural soaps, are highly likely to make your skin more sensitive and prone to irritation and infection. Therefore, it is best to look for a cleanser with a low pH. What is more, dermatologists’ advice is to avoid any cleansers that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which can also be very harsh on your skin, especially if you have a sensitive type.

After your skin is properly cleaned so that the skin care products applied afterwards can penetrate the skin, use a toner. Toners were created to restore the low pH after washing the skin with high pH soap. However, if you are using a cleanser that does not damage your skin in any way, this is a step you can skip.

With age dead skin cells are not as quickly replaced by fresh skin cells. Therefore, the skin may start looking dull, uneven, and cracked. Peels are a great way to help with the removal of dead skin cells. There are two types: physical and chemical exfoliants. Dermatologists usually do not recommend the use of harsh physical scrubs due to the fact that they make your skin more prone to sagging. Instead, their advice is to choose a softer exfoliating sponge which you can use with your gel cleanser 2-3 times a week.

Chemical exfoliants on the other hand use acids like alpha-hydroxy acid, glycolic acid and lactic acid, which can be also found in serums and toners. They work by gradually dissolving the bonds between skin cells, allowing them to detach. You can get a chemical peel as a cosmetic in-office procedure or choose an at-home peel.

Another great tip for preserving your skin is to pat on your serums and creams, instead of rubbing them on your face. This is a mistake that a lot of people make. It is best to look to anti-aging creams and serums that contain vitamin A derivatives known as retinoids (retinol, tretinoin, and tazarotene) and vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid and magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). They act as antioxidants, while also increasing your skin’s elasticity.

Furthermore, when you are choosing a moisturizer, keep in mind that with age your skin becomes drier. One of the main reasons why fine lines appear is insufficient hydration.  The best anti aging moisturizer is one that contains water-binding humectants like glycerine and hyaluronic acid. Experts’ advice is to invest in a high-end moisturizer and not settle for cheap drugstore one.

Sun protection is also extremely important when it comes to slowing the process of aging. Sun damage is responsible for most visible signs of aging, thus it is also called photoaging. UV rays break down collagen and cause abnormalities in elastin, which ultimately leads to thinning of the skin and wrinkles. Moreover, they cause uneven pigmented patches to appear.

Last but not least, trauma is often the cause for wrinkles to appear, especially on older skin, which is thinner and more fragile. Rubbing your skin care products strongly on your face and pressing your face against the pillow when sleeping are proven to be two of the most common reasons for permanent wrinkles to develop. Hence, you should be more careful how you sleep and what motions you use while washing or moisturizing your face.

All things taken into consideration, these are the main steps, which you should include in your skin care routine if you want to have a more youthful and smooth skin. However, these tips apply not only for the face. Don’t forget to take care of your neck, chest and hands as well.