Skincare for ageing skin is challenging as fluctuations of the hormone oestrogen in perimenopause and post menopause play a big part in hastening the signs of aging. Oestrogen helps maintain your skin’s youthful quality and the decline is associated with various skin issues, such as wrinkles, redness, dryness, and sensitivity. It’s decline may even reduce your protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays, but don’t panic there is lots you can do with advanced skincare ingredients for ageing skin.
Retinoids
Retinoids are a type of vitamin A that is considered one of the best in anti-aging due to the large amount of research on how it naturally occurs in skin cells and using it topically has been shown to support healthy skin cells.REF. It comes in either a topical serums or creams that through it’s mechanism stimulate collagen and therefore help maintain your skin’s thickness while reducing wrinkles. Formulations vary and some retinoids are harsh and very drying to the skin. Professional advice is advised.
Vitamins C & E
Well, known skin vitamins that help build collagen the structural protein of the skin. This will fill in lines and wrinkles. It can also help protect your skin from harmful, free-radical-producing UV rays, acting as antioxidants preventing free radical damage. I talk about this HERE
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)
Alpha hydroxy acids, like glycolic and lactic acid, are scientifically proven to show improvement in the look of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone and skin texture. Regular use of gentle repetitive peels can help preserve your skin’s freshness and radiance.
Hyaluronic Acid
This is an glycosaminoglycan naturally produced in our body however as we age the production of hyaluronic acid slows down and is associated with loss of skin moisture. It has a unique ability to bind and retain water maintaining plumpness and reducing the appearance of wrinkles., so incorporating in creams and serums may help replenish what is lost. It appears this is only a small part of its action in the skin. Studies show its involvement in regulation of the immune response so key in tissue repair, enhancing response to the injury of fibroblasts. These are the major cells responsible for the production of collagen, and glycoaminoglycans the main components of the extracellular matrix. Hyaluronic acid also gives a structure for blood vessel formation.
Sunscreen
Practicing proper sun protection all year-round indoors and outdoors can help prevent future skin damage. This is because damage is not just caused by the burning UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate glass and are emitted from computer screens too! These both cause accelerated free radical damage. Using a broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen in addition to good sun habits will hugely protect our skin from ageing.
Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle can help prevent premature ageing and reduce inflammatory skin conditions as it includes the essential nutrients for health plus antioxidants to prevent damage to your skin and body. A varied diet also optimises gut health which is key for immunity, much of which resides in the skin. Regular exercise assists blood flow and oxygenating the skin and assisting it’s removal of toxins.
It is crucial to achieve these health goals before focusing on your anti-aging skincare products otherwise the results will be short lived.
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