Turn Back the Clock! The Age-Defying Skincare Routine Everyone Over 30 Should Know

The Ultimate Daily Skincare Routine to Prevent Aging

Aging gracefully is a blend of genetics and proper care, with a dash of environmental influence. While we can't control our genes, a dedicated skincare routine and mindful habits can significantly delay the signs of aging. This article uncovers the optimal daily skincare routine, enriched with diet tips and recommended products to help you maintain youthful skin.

Below are the steps for your morning skincare routine to minimize aging.

Morning Skincare Routine:

a. Cleansing: Start your day with a gentle cleanser, removing overnight impurities without stripping the skin's natural oils.

Recommended product: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser – enriched with ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

b. Antioxidant Serum: Serums with Vitamin C fight free radicals and prevent oxidative stress, a significant cause of aging.

Recommended product: Skinceuticals C E Ferulic – a potent blend of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Ferulic acid1.

c. Moisturize: Hydrated skin looks plumper and more radiant.

Recommended product: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel (fragrance-free) contains hyaluronic acid, ensuring deep hydration.

d. Sun Protection: Sunscreen is non-negotiable. UV rays accelerate skin aging and increase the risk of skin cancer2. Recommended product: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 – offering both UVA and UVB protection.

The following tips are for your evening skincare routine.

Evening Skincare Routine:

a. Double Cleansing: Start with an oil-based cleanser to break down makeup, followed by your morning cleanser. Recommended product: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil.

b. Retinol: A gold standard in anti-aging, retinol boosts collagen and accelerates cell turnover3. Recommended product: RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream.

c. Nightly Eye Cream: You need to combat the visible effects of lack of sleep, UV rays, pollution, and blue light exposure. You need to hydrate and treat puffiness, dark circles, and dryness. Recommended product: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex. This has hyaluronic acid (for hydration), caffeine (to reduce puffiness), and a blend of antioxidants.

d. Moisturize: Your morning moisturizer can work, or choose a richer one for night-time nourishment.

Weekly skincare routine is below.

Weekly Skin Care:

Exfoliation (2-3 times a week): Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, promoting brighter skin. Recommended product: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.

Face Masks (once a week): Hydrating or anti-aging masks can supplement your routine. Recommended product: Dr. Jart+ Dermask Intra Jet Wrinkless Solution.

Dietary guidelines for optimal skincare are below.

Diet Tips:

• Antioxidant-rich foods: Blueberries, nuts, spinach, and artichokes combat free radicals. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries (you get it - eat berries), dark chocolate, walnuts, pecans, almonds, dark leafy greens, plums, cherries, kiwis, red/purple grapes, oranges, red cabbage, broccoli, beets (yucky, sorry Dwight), cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, red/black/pinto beans, fatty fish, green tea, coffee, whole grains, tomatoes, red win, and olive oil - to name some major ones.

• Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds, they maintain the skin's lipid barrier, essential for a youthful glow4.

• Stay hydrated: Water helps maintain skin elasticity. Aim for 8 glasses daily. Not drinking enough can make your skin look drier and wrinkled.

• Limit sugar and processed foods: They can accelerate aging by affecting skin collagen. Consuming too much sugar and processed foods can lead to skin damage. Sugar can cause glycation, where sugar molecules attach to collagen, making the skin less flexible and more prone to wrinkles.

Below are more tips for protecting your skin from aging.

Additional Tips:

• Get enough sleep: Ensure 7-9 hours nightly. Your skin rejuvenates during deep sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to dull skin, dark circles, and an increase in visible signs of aging.

• Limit sun exposure: Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun break down the skin's collagen and elastin fibers, leading to wrinkles, sunspots, and an increased risk of skin cancer. Always use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when out in the sun.

• Do not smoke: It prematurely ages skin by breaking down collagen.

• Limit alcohol: Overconsumption dehydrates the skin. Over time, this can lead to wrinkles and a lackluster complexion.

• Get regular exercise: Boosts circulation, ensuring nutrients reach your skin.

• Limit your stress: Stress releases the hormone cortisol, which can break down collagen in the skin, leading to wrinkles and sagging. Learn meditation techniques so you can self-manage your stress levels.

• Avoid environmental pollutants: Exposure to pollutants and free radicals can speed up skin aging. These harmful molecules can damage collagen, leading to skin sagging and wrinkles.

• Clean your face before bed: Leaving makeup and dirt on your face can clog pores and cause breakouts. Over time, this can lead to collagen breakdown.

• Use skincare products with antioxidants: Antioxidants fight the damage caused by free radicals and can slow down the aging process.

Prevention and consistency are the keys: Understanding these factors can help you make informed decisions about skincare and lifestyle habits. Incorporating a holistic approach to skin health, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a consistent skincare routine, can keep your skin looking youthful for longer.

Citations:

1. Fitzpatrick, R. E., & Rostan, E. F. (2002). Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage. Dermatologic Surgery, 28(3), 231-236. ↩

2. Hughes, M. C., Williams, G. M., Baker, P., & Green, A. C. (2013). Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, 158(11), 781-790. ↩

3. Mukherjee, S., Date, A., Patravale, V., Korting, H. C., Roeder, A., & Weindl, G. (2006). Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical interventions in aging, 1(4), 327. ↩

4. Pilkington, S. M., Watson, R. E., Nicolaou, A., & Rhodes, L. E. (2012). Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: photoprotective macronutrients. Experimental dermatology, 21(7), 537- ↩

5. Morita, A. (2007). Tobacco smoke causes premature skin aging. Journal of Dermatological Science, 48(3), 169-175. ↩

6. Mukherjee, S., Date, A., Patravale, V., Korting, H. C., Roeder, A., & Weindl, G. (2006). Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical interventions in aging, 1(4), 327. ↩

7. Traikovich, S. S. (1999). Use of topical ascorbic acid and its effects on photodamaged skin topography. Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 125(10), 1091-1098. ↩

8. Hughes, M. C., Williams, G. M., Baker, P., & Green, A. C. (2013). Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Annals of internal medicine, 158(11), 781-790. ↩