Growing old is inevitable, but looking and feeling that way doesn’t have to be. As you get older and start noticing some signs and symptoms of aging, you will probably look for ways to prolong the effects of aging. And where would you go looking for the answers?
The internet, of course! Because I am sure you don’t want to be standing in the anti-aging aisle for hours looking for what to use. You’re smart to be doing your research before shopping. Good for you!
So, I have gathered questions you may ask about anti-aging and put them all together in one place. Just keep reading to have your question(s) answered.
If you don’t find your particular question here, please leave me a comment below or email me directly!
What causes premature aging?
Your skin is going to change naturally as you age, but when it happens too early, the cause is usually either environmental or lifestyle factors.
Overexposure to the sun results in what they refer to as photoaging and is responsible for about 90% of the visible changes to your skin. UV light damages skin cells, causing premature signs such as age spots.
High Energy Visible (HEV) and infrared light coming from the sun and devices like smartphones affect collagen and elastin in your skin.
Smoking releases toxins that break down collagen and elastic fibers in your skin, causing wrinkles and sagging. Stress causes your body to release cortisol, which blocks collagen and hyaluronan synthase.
Your cells will age faster if you don’t get enough sleep or quality sleep. Your diet can also play a role in premature aging if it is high in sugar, refined carbs, and alcohol consumption. Recreational drugs consumed regularly will also make you age faster.
What makes skincare anti-aging?
When you are looking for anti-aging products, you will constantly see ingredients like collagen, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and, of course, retinol. However, there are tons of ingredients that can be put in a product to consider it anti-aging.
What you should focus on is how it will benefit your skin.
Look for products to protect your skin barrier, moisturize, nourish, hydrate, brighten, and smooth your skin. You also need to exfoliate once or twice a week and don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun.
How do I find out my skin type?
There are 5 different healthy skin types: normal, oily, combination, dry, and sensitive.
Oily skin is usually shiny all over and may have problems with acne and clogged pores. Combination skin has what is called the “T-zone”, where it’s oily on the forehead, nose, and chin and normal or dry on the outer areas. Dry skin may feel tight, rough, and flaky and can lead to cracking. We can consider sensitive skin fragile or delicate and prone to react to stimuli with irritation, itching, or redness.
What is the most important thing for aging skin?
If there was only one thing you could do for your skin, it should be to protect it from the sun. Just wearing SPF 30 or above helps your skin so much!
The next best would be moisturizing to keep it from getting dry, flaky, and cracking.
At what age should I start using anti-aging products?
There are some experts who recommend starting in your early 20s. Even if you don’t want to start that soon, you shouldn’t wait till you see signs of aging. It’s easier to prevent than to correct.
Related Articles: Can You Improve Your Skin After Age 50?
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How To Start Anti-Aging In Your 20s
When will I see results from anti-aging products?
Since it takes about 30 days for your skin cells to turn over, it will take about the same time to see the results from the products. Some products are designed for the longer you use them, the better the results.
Do I need an eye cream?
The skin around your eyes is usually the first place to start showing signs of aging. The skin around your eyes is thinner, more fragile, more prone to dryness, and more prone to fluid buildup underneath.
These issues are what eye creams are made to address. You can start using eye creams in your 20s as well.
Do supplements help aging skin?
Yes, they do! As you age, your body slows the production of vitamins, minerals, and proteins that support your skin health. Unless you are able to include all you need in your diet, then taking supplements will benefit you the best.
What are the best supplements to consider?
1. Spermidine- Counteracts aging and promotes autophagy.
2. Collagen- Improves skin elasticity and reduces wrinkles. Also improves hair, bone, and joint health.
3. Resveratrol- Powerful antioxidant that helps to combat fine lines and wrinkles as well as protect skin from premature aging by UV light.
4. NAD+– Repairs damaged DNA, protects cells, and helps maintain healthy sleep and hunger cycles.
5. Vitamin C- Decreases cell damage, helps heal wounds, and increases collagen production.
6. Vitamin E- Minimizes sun damage, helps prevent dry skin, and helps in the treatment of skin inflammation.
Buy the Best Nicotinamide Riboside & Pterostilbene Supplement!
Is it necessary to wear sunscreen every day? Even if it’s raining or cloudy?
Yes. UV rays can pass through clouds about 80% of the time. During the winter, the snow can reflect up to 80% of the sun’s rays.
What causes age spots?
Overactive pigment cells cause sometimes called liver spots. UV light speeds the production of melanin and after years of exposure to the sun, these spots will appear when melanin becomes clumped or produced in high concentrations.
You can prevent these spots by wearing sunscreen or keeping your skin covered.
How do I get rid of dark spots?
Natural ways to rid your skin of those unsightly dark spots include using lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and castor oil.
Other ways would involve going to a dermatologist for a prescription cream, freezing, laser therapy, dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, or a chemical peel.
How can I tighten my skin?
You first need to make sure you have a good skincare routine in place because this will help to start with. It needs to include ingredients such as vitamin C, retinol, and hyaluronic acid.
If you would like to try some natural ways first, then a daily facial massage will benefit you greatly. Massage increases circulation and stimulates collagen production (the stuff that keeps your skin firm and youthful looking). Use oils like avocado oil, argan oil, and almond oil that also help increase collagen production and improve hydration and elasticity.
Also, where you used to have to go to an office to have certain types of skin tightening done, you now have access to at-home devices, such as the LEFAY Skin Tightening Machine. This machine uses RF (radio frequency) waves to penetrate the skin to stimulate collagen production and repair elastin.
Not only does the LEFAY Skin Tightening Machine lift and tighten your skin, but it also has a COOL mode and Massaging mode to increase circulation, shrink pores, reduce puffiness and redness, improve contours, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and get rid of eye bags and dark circles.
Now, if you are looking for a device that has all the same benefits and will work on your whole body, then the MLAY Tightening Machine is what you need.
You could also consider doing your own chemical peel at home through MedPeel with one of their customized peels. You can take a peel quiz to see what they recommend for you.
Do I need different products for morning and night?
Yes. Think of using products that protect your skin during the day and repair and replenish it at night. So, it’s antioxidants and SPF in the morning and retinol and heavier moisture at night.
Should I use a face mask?
Absolutely! Face masks can be very beneficial for your skin by trapping whatever ingredient you are using them for in your skin. They allow the ingredients to be absorbed into the skin in a shorter amount of time.
How often? Once or twice a week.
What are free radicals?
Free radicals are molecules that have unpaired electrons that rob other cells of their electrons which causes damage and contributes to diseases.
Antioxidants are molecules that can donate an electron to a free radical without it becoming unstable.
So, when there is an even balance between antioxidants and free radicals, they help fight off pathogens. When there are more free radicals than antioxidants, that’s when the free radicals can start causing damage.
Final Thoughts
That’s all the questions I found to be asked most often. If you have any questions you think should be added to this list, you can leave them in the comment section below or email me directly and I will be happy to add them.
Even if you don’t have a question, I would love to hear from you!
Hey thanks for this post, it’s a great source of information for anyone wanting to look after their skin!
Wow I didn’t know over exposure from the sun can lead to a lot of skin damage, I guess that suncream is extra useful! I am in my early 20s are wasn’t planning on using anti ageing products however I think I might have to reconsider that decision especially since I visit hot countries where sun exposure is present most of the day!
You should definitely wear sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy. The damage will show up when you get older, so, it is wise to take care of your skin now. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, this is a great article and answers all the questions one might have about skin care. It was eye opening for me because I learned about spermidine, which I’d never heard of before.
I’m going to try the lemon juice and/or vinegar on my liver spots. I’m 58 years old and I am embarrassed by all the dark spots I have on my hands.
As you stated, it’s definitely much easier to prevent premature aging than it is to reverse the signs of aging. I wish I had started with good skin care at a much younger age.
When I was younger, I didn’t realize the damage I was doing to my skin by not wearing sunscreen either. I make sure to wear it every day now, though!
I am also taking the supplements I recommended and can really tell the difference in the way I feel and how my skin looks and feels.