Are you thinking it might be the perfect time to start an anti-ageing routine to keep your skin looking young? While we still don’t have a way to turn back time, an anti-ageing routine can help you reverse some of the visible signs of ageing, restore a more youthful complexion, and repair some of the environmental damage that is difficult to avoid no matter how hard you try. You probably already have and use some of the products that we will discuss; however, are you using them correctly and do you know what they are for? We’ll explain each step of an effective anti-ageing beauty routine.
Be Gentle
As we age, our skin becomes fragile, and damage is one of the major reasons that skin becomes wrinkled. Based on a 2012 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, even laying your face upon a pillow causes wrinkles. Be gentle when washing or applying products to your face, neck, chest, and hands, as these are all prone to the loss of elasticity. Use soft, sweeping motions so that you aren’t rubbing or pulling at the skin.
Split Your Routine
Split your routine into night and morning to cleanse your skin of any dirt and pollutants that have accumulated during the day. While you sleep, it then has a chance to heal and repair, and then your morning routine protects the skin against daily wear and tear caused by the environment.
Nighttime
Before you retire to bed, your nighttime routine should consist of cleansing, exfoliation and moisturiser. To enable your skin to make the most of the natural cell regeneration cycle while we sleep, you need to prepare the skin so that it can breathe and produce sebum that moisturises and works alongside your products.
Cleanse
The main purpose of cleansers is to remove bacteria, dirt, skin care products and makeup from your skin. To avoid irritation, choose a cleanser with a low pH that doesn’t remove moisture or natural oils from the mid-dermis. It isn’t essential to buy a cleanser with active ingredients as these are included in some of your other products. Still, cleansers that contain salicylic acid or retinol are good for oily or acne-prone skin, while cleansers that contain ceramides or glycerin are better for sensitive or dry skin.
Make sure to wash your hands to remove any impurities and wet your face. Apply your cleanser, using circular motions, taking care of the area around your eyes and mouth to avoid irritation. Remember to take the cleanser to your hairline, jaw and neck. Make sure to rinse your face with warm water, as hot water will irritate your skin and dry it out. After that, gently pat your face dry with a soft cloth.
Do I need a toner?
Toners restore the skin’s natural pH, but if you use a low pH cleanser, then it’s just an unnecessary extra step and expense. However, if you have oily, acne-prone skin, a toner with around 5% glycolic acid will provide gentle exfoliation without damaging your moisture barrier. Choose a toner with aloe vera to nourish your complexion without making it greasy, and if you want to save some money, check out these body care products deals. Use a cotton pad to wipe the toner across your face and neck, avoiding the eyes and mouth.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is an important step that helps remove dead skin cells from the outermost layer of the epidermis and encourages new cells to grow. If dead cells remain, they block the pores and cause acne, dry patches, flaky skin, and signs of ageing.
Physical exfoliates contain sugar or beads that can be too harsh for ageing skin, making it sag. Instead, use a chemical exfoliate that contains lactic or glycolic acid, such as an AHA gel exfoliant that reduces wrinkles while stimulating collagen, enhancing moisture levels, and strengthening the skin. Apply a liquid exfoliant with a cotton pad or a gel or lotion exfoliant with your fingers. Remember to include your neck and hands so they get just as much care and attention as your face.
Moisturise
Use a moisturiser to restore the skin’s natural barrier and rehydrate the mid-dermis so that it stays supple and is better able to retain moisture. The face cream is typically packed with anti-ageing antioxidants like vitamin E, jojoba oil and bisabolol, which also improve skin healing by rejuvenating the cells. Note that you only need a small amount of this cream that can be massaged into the face, neck and hands with your fingers.
Use breathable bedding
To ensure your bedding doesn’t undo all the hard work you have done so far, select breathable bedding made from natural fibres.
Linen is hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial, making it a great material for your skin. It is self-regulating when it comes to temperature, which helps to reduce sweating and thus clogged pores. Although linen wrinkles easily, it is a durable material that can be easily washed and ironed.
Silk keeps you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. It absorbs moisture well, but sweat weakens and stains the material, so you must wash it regularly.
Cotton breathes well but is highly absorbent, so if you are prone to sweating at night, you will be sleeping against material that is rife with bacteria.
Morning
Your morning routine should consist of cleansing, serum, oil, moisturiser, and sunscreen. These will help to prepare your skin for the coming day and protect it from environmental damage, such as pollution, UV light, and even blue light from devices.
Cleanse
Start by cleansing again to remove any contamination picked up during the night from your bedding. As with your night-time routine, it is unnecessary to move on to using a toner unless you feel the need to.
Apply serum
Serums increase collagen production and absorb some of the oxidative stressors from the environment that cause the visible signs of ageing. The best type of serum will contain retinol that cleanses the pores, repairs damage to the skin, and improves elasticity while tightening the skin. Gently pat your serum onto your face, neck, and the back of your hands.
Moisturise
Just as you did last night, moisturise with your face cream. Hydration plumps the skin, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles and helping to address some skin conditions. In case you have oily skin, you might not think it necessary to moisturise again; however, your skin may be so dry that it produces excess oil to compensate.
What about my eyes?
You have given your face, neck and hands a lot of attention, but what about your eyes? The eye serum is one product that can be used around the eyes to target the fine lines and wrinkles that accumulate there. Soothe and moisturise the delicate skin area as well as reduce dark circles and puffiness by gently patting the serum around the eye, ensuring that none goes into the eye itself.
Apply sunscreen
Exposure to the sun’s rays robs your skin of collagen and causes age spots. By applying sunscreen every day, you give your skin a break from UV light, allowing it to regenerate. Apart from keeping your skin looking young, a sunblock protects you against sunburn and skin cancer. Consider using a sunscreen with a high SPF of at least 30 and apply a layer to the face and neck. Include your ears and the back of your neck and hands as these areas are exposed to the sun a lot.
Final Thoughts
You may think that an ageing skincare routine is only for the elderly, but it is never too soon to think about protecting your skin from the inevitable. When using new products, carry out a patch test to ensure that you aren’t allergic or sensitive to any of the ingredients.
Remember that your skin is not just affected by what you apply to it; regular exercise, a healthy diet, and the avoidance of tobacco and alcohol can help to keep your skin healthy from the inside too.