What really works when it comes to taking care of your skin? The great thing about skincare is that there are so many options. But this also makes skincare extremely overwhelming and confusing. The reality is that everyone’s skin is different, and certain things will work for some people and not for others. The must-have true anti-aging skin care solutions are these 3 things, Retinoids, moisture, and sunscreen.
Retinoid:
Creams or lotions containing a retinoid are best in the fight against aging, research shows the this vitamin A derivative really does undo wrinkles and discolorations from sun damage.
Add a Retinoid to your skincare routine. Don’t forget to also use it on your neck and hands to keep them looking younger. You can purchase over the counter Retinoids called Retinol, and the higher it appears in the ingredients list, the better (look for ones packaged in aluminum tubes with 0.1 percent or higher). Over the counter retinols are less potent that the doctor prescribed versions, which can take up to 12 weeks before seeing results. Keep in mind that any retinoid can be harsh on your skin, and cause irritation, dryness and peeling, so start using it slowly (start by using it every 3rd night, and only at night) until your skin adjusts. You can get a stronger retinoid cream prescribed by your doctor, such as Retin-A oe Tazorac, which can give you results in as little as 4 weeks.
-Don’t layer benzoyl peroxide or alpha hydroxy acids which can deactivate retinoids.
-a small percentage of people might not be able to tolerate a retinoid, if this is you, don’t use one. Instead do a gentle exfoliation once a week to soften skin, and use sunscreen, and moisturizers to try to prevent collagen loss as much as possible.
Moisture:
A basic moisturizer is a must. Keeping skin hydrated is also important to fight wrinkles. You don’t have to buy expensive creams just to moisturize, just look for one that contains these 2 types of hydrating ingredients, a humectant (which draws moisture in. Examples are: glycerin, hyaluronic acid, propylene glycol.) and an emollient (prevents moisture loss. Examples are: dimethicone, petrolatum and coconut oil). If your skin is dry, apply a regular moisturizer on top of the retinoid at night, you can just use the retinoid if you have oily skin. Make sure you use a regular moisturizer on your face every day.
Sunscreen:
This is truly the only product that can prevent your skin from aging in the first place. Although there are many factors beyond our control that add to aging. The
damage to our skin from the sun makes our skin look older much faster. There are also many moisturizers and makeups that include sunscreen, so find a way to incorporate it into your daily skincare routine.
Love,
Sunset Blonde
