If there’s one part of life no one looks forward to, it’s the onset of the aging process. Of course, the question that a lot of younger women struggle with is when is the right time to start using anti-aging products – when does doing so become necessary? Until recently, anti-aging products were reserved for women in their 40s and 50s, but today that’s all changed, with many anti-aging products being marketed to younger women.
It’s this change in marketing, and quotes from young celebrities saying that they already use anti-aging products, that is making many women wonder when the right time is to start thinking about using anti-aging products. How do you know when the time has come to make the swap from normal beauty products to anti-aging ones? This is a common query that a lot of women have, and one that a huge percentage of the female population is confused about.
According to an expert dermatologist, Dr. Kavita Mariwalla, in your late 20s and early to mid-30s, you enter a stage known as ‘pre-aging.’ This stage is where the skin begins to age, and you may begin to notice the onset of fine lines around your eyes and mouth, you may also begin to notice the onset of dark marks resulting from sun damage.
Bearing that in mind, below are some useful tips and advice for ways to ensure that your skin stays looking youthful for longer, and hacks for how you can choose the right anti-aging products for your age and your skin’s needs.
Start every day with sunscreen
Did you know that the number one cause of premature aging is sun damage? A lot of people don’t realize that sun damage is what often kicks off the aging process early, making premature aging much more likely occur. That’s why it’s so important that you take the time to apply sunscreen – or use products containing SPF protection – each day.
Did you know that even in cloudy, wet weather, the sun’s UV rays can pierce through the clouds and cause invisible sun damage? That’s why it’s recommended that you use products with SPF protection in, on a daily basis. You can find all manner of beauty products, from face cream and foundation to lip balm with SPF protection incorporated into them.
Invest in retinol
One of the most common questions that women ask is how to get rid of frown lines or how to smooth out crow’s feet naturally. The issue is that today Botox is seen as being the only solution, or the simplest and most effective one, but the truth is that isn’t the case. The reality is that there are other, less invasive options for achieving younger looking skin, such as using retinol products, for instance.
You can safely use retinol products at any age (over 18), but it’s recommended that you don’t start using them until your late 20s or early 30s, to keep wrinkles at bay. The best time of the day to use retinol creams at is the evening, before bed. Now, while you won’t yet need prescription retinol products, what you can do is buy over-the-counter products instead, such as face creams and cleansers that container a smaller and less potent amount of retinol. What does retinol do, exactly? It increases cell turnover time, making your complexion appear brighter and your skin smoother, it also boosts collagen production, reduces pore size, and can also help to keep adult acne at bay.
Wake your skin up with antioxidants
When choosing beauty products, it’s a good idea to opt for products that have lots of antioxidants in them, especially when it comes to choosing your morning products. This is because products that contain antioxidants are known as products with preventative qualities – AKA can help to prevent the signs of aging appearing (for a while, at least). Any products that contain peptides and plant stem cells are always going to be rich in antioxidants.
Both air pollution and UV rays are the cause of free radicals – AKA molecules that cause aging by damaging your skin cells – putting an antioxidant barrier on your skin before you leave the house can be highly beneficial, at any age. By doing this, you’re creating a skin shield that prevents damaging free radicals getting to your skin cells and causing premature aging. So, if you don’t already have a range of antioxidant-rich products in your beauty cupboard, now is the time to invest.
You don’t need collagen or youth protein increasing products
While you do need to start thinking about preserving your youth in your late 20s and early 30s, what you don’t need to do is overuse anti-aging products. Now, the fact is that at such a young age, you don’t need anywhere near as many products as older women to combat the signs of aging, and it’s important to be aware of that. There are some products that can be highly beneficial, such as antioxidants, SPF protection, and gentle retinol creams, but there are others that you just don’t need to even think about.
In your late 20s to early 30s, you don’t really need to use products that offer collagen production increase or that stimulate your youth proteins. This is because your skin is still relatively young and highly resilient, which means it requires less care. As we get older, our skin becomes more prone to drying out, which is why heavier moisturizers are required. However, while you’re still relatively young unless you have skin that’s prone to drying out, there’s no need to use such heavy moisturizers. A word to the wise, make sure that any moisturizer that you do use is oil-free, as moisturizers that contain oil can cause acne.
Knowing when to start thinking about using anti-aging products can be stressful, as there’s so much mixed advice around. However, dermatologists recommend taking note of the tips above, which means starting to think about anti-aging skincare when you get to your late 20s to mid-30s.
When did you start worrying about anti aging? Let me know in the comments! I love hearing from you!
It’s PAST time for me!