When is it best to start an anti-ageing routine?
Good news ladies: it's never too early to start an anti-ageing routine! Dr Hubbard tells us that you can always maintain a preventative regime by making sure you wear sunscreen and avoid smoking, together with ensuring you cleanse and moisturise your face twice daily. But when it comes to a specific anti-ageing regime for you skin? It's best to think about that from your mid-20s onwards. Dr Hubbard says this is because most women's skin will begin to become more dull from this point, due in part to the slowing down of your new skin cell production. She also notes that the vital components of collagen and elastin - the things that give your skin its strength and stretch - start to weaken, so fine lines and wrinkles start to develop.
How should you start to introduce an anti-ageing routine into your beauty regime?
So now there you are, in your mid-twenties, worrying about your skin. Sounds scary huh? Well, get on board with a good anti-ageing beauty regime early enough and you can slow that process right down! But what are the best ways to keep your skin youthful? Well, it all starts with protection. Tell 'em Dr Hubbard: "Start with a sunscreen, every day, even if you are indoors. UV light comes through windows so there's a risk of skin-damaging UV rays ageing your skin, even at your desk or in the car." But don't worry, this doesn't mean slathering yourself with suncream every day: "This incidental sun damage can be simply mitigated by choosing a daily moisturiser containing proven anti-ageing ingredients and SPF such as Olay Regenerist 3 Point Day Cream with SPF 30." She also stresses the importance of effectively cleansing your skin twice daily to reduce dead skin cells on the surface of your face, which'll make your skin a fresh glow.
When it comes to incorporating anti-ageing treatments into your beauty regime, Dr Hubbard notes that it's best to try light lotions or serums in your twenties and thirties as thicker creams aren't usually necessary at this point in your life and could make your skin more prone to breakouts. "Lightweight products like Olay Total Effects Featherweight SPF15 Moisturiser has great UV protection as well as anti-aging properties, which is a great way to start," Dr Hubbard says, "as your skin becomes drier, choose richer creams."
What's the most important thing to look for in your anti-ageing products?
Like us, you might become confused with all the scientific jargon and complex formulas that many creams boast of, but Dr Hubbard says when it comes to what goes into your anti-ageing creams, there's only one thing you need to be looking out for: "Sunscreen," she says. "SPF 30 will block out 98% of damaging UV rays."
Where do most women go wrong with in their skincare routine?
The biggest problem, Dr Hubbard says, is women not using sunscreen on a daily basis, which results in cumulative damage from UV throughout the year. A lightweight, quick-absorbing everyday-use product that both moisturises and provides SPF protection is ideal for helping your skin to stay youthful.
What will good quality anti-ageing products help with?
A good quality anti-ageing product is well worth investing in, as Dr Hubbard tells us that it will help to improve skin tone, even out pigmentation, fade dark spots, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and make the the skin appear healthier and more youthful. What more could a gal want from a cream?! A product containing sunscreen for prevention and retinoids for anti-ageing can be key to the anti-ageing process, but Dr Hubbard says these can cause irritation, and recommends looking for peptides (such as Pal-KTTS) and niacinamide for a gentler approach. She also notes the importance of a night time beauty routine: "Recent research from Olay shows that cellular energy production follows your natural biological clock, with skin energy and metabolism slowed down at night as hydration levels decrease. Use moisturiser, specifically designed to match your rhythms such as Olay Regenerist 3 Point Age-Defying Night Cream, for anti-ageing results even whilst asleep."
Which areas of the face are most likely to be affected by ageing first, and should we concentrate on these areas?
Bad news smokers: if you're partial to a cheeky ciggie, your collagen breaks down ten times quicker than someone who doesn't smoke, meaning you're way more likely to get furrows around your mouth. For others, the first signs of ageing are usually seen around the eyes, whilst pigmentation spots can first be seen around the hairline, the sides of your cheeks or the top of your forehead, and Dr Hubbard says that these are often the spots that are missed when you're applying sunscreen. So make sure you're covering your whole face ladies - future you will be eternally grateful!
Is there anything natural we can try - like drinking water?
"Absolutely!" Says Dr Hubbard. "A healthy balanced diet with protein, carbohydrate and fat is essential. Include leafy greens, berries, butternut squash, nuts and seeds. Keep alcohol to a minimum, stay well hydrates with water and try to get regular sleep." Easy peasy!
Have you started your anti-ageing beauty routine? Let us know! @sofeminineUK
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