It seems like every woman’s greatest fear is to look gasp, her actual age. But fighting the hands of time doesn’t have to be about hating the changes your skin and body are undergoing. Rather, the aging process should be about embracing and enhancing your best bits without the need for invasive surgery or needles. After all, ageless beauty is about feeling good in your skin, right?
This particular mentality is starting to be adopted by some of Hollywood’s biggest A-listers. Gwenyth Paltrow recently announced she was giving up botox in favour of more natural beauty processes. Similarly, Nicole Kidman is also taking the no-needle pledge.
According to The Age, the big skincare shift is toward preservation and nourishment as opposed to the ‘burn baby burn’ approach of previous decades. Beauty gurus are now touting the benefits of investing in good skincare products from an early age that come turbo charged with active ingredients like peptides, stem cells and antioxidants as opposed to being frozen-into-oblivion or having to go under the knife.
In light of this, read ahead to learn how you can get similar youth-boosting effects with less invasive tactics. From correcting crow’s feet to covering pigmentation and wrinkles, consider this the ultimate anti-aging bible!
ISSUE: FINE LINES AND WRINKLES
As we age, the skin begins to lose its elasticity due to dehydration and the constant contracting of facial muscles. Sun damage can also contribute to creating pronounced creases in the skin. Your eyes, mouth and forehead are often the most common areas to cop it.
CURE: When it comes to warding away wrinkles, it’s important to stimulate the formation of new collagen and hyaluronic acid (a natural sugar in the skin that attracts and binds water, keeping it soft, smooth and firm) with the right products. A hydrating day cream with plumping properties such as peptides and silicone derivatives will provide instant gratification to the skin by filling in lines and crevices. Serums and treatment masques infused with antioxidants are equally as important in helping to rebuild the skin while protecting it against future damage. Finally, a night cream containing retinoids, which are derived from vitamin A, will stimulate circulation and increase cell growth, which speeds up the skin’s regeneration process and ultimately its metabolism. Because retinoids can be irritating, first timers should prep skin for 2 weeks with an antioxidant such as coffeeberry or green tea.
SHOP IT: 1. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Super Cream, $42, 2. Prevage Anti-Aging Intensive Repair Daily Serum, $261, 3. SK-II Stempower Rich Cream, $232, 4. Priori CoffeeBerry Day Complex, $105
ISSUE: SUN DAMAGE
Most of the UV rays that bombard us on a daily basis are UVA, which penetrates deeply into the skin and ravages collagen, thus producing age spots, wrinkles and dry areas.
CURE: The one product that will help stave off the years is a broad-spectrum sunscreen. The skin has an incredible ability to heal itself once you start blocking UVA and UVB rays and you’ll see an improvement in both texture and tone. To boost protection, choose a sunscreen or an additional topical product that contains antioxidants such as green tea, pomegranate, and vitamins C and E. Research shows that these supercharged products offer extra insurance against the onslaught of UV-produced free radicals
SHOP IT: 1. Peter Thomas Roth Sheer Liquid SPF 50 Anti-Aging Sunscreen, $67, 2. John Masters Organics Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30, $51, 3. Orlane Extreme Anti-Wrinkle Care Sunscreen SPF 30, $213, 4. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Day Cream Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30, $70
ISSUE: AGING LIPS
Over time the area on and around our lips begins to lose its youthful convexity. Fine lines, sagging, loss of volume, thinning and pigmentation begin to appear and lack of moisture and suppleness is evident.
CURE: It’s important to employ a daily ritual to help rejuvenate the lip’s vitality. Look for products that contain hydrators like shea butter and sunflower oil or antioxidants like rosehip. To disguise lost collagen and lip thinning, enlist the help of a treatment that contains hyaluronic acid fillers which help boost volume beneath the skin’s surface to smooth the lips and the surrounding areas. Products that lift and tighten the kissers, while providing the perfect surface for lipstick are also imperative.
SHOP IT: 1. La Prairie Cellular Lip Line Plumper, $112, 2. Swissline Cell Shock Cellular Lip Zone Corrective Complex, $98, 3. Bloom Organics Soothing Lip Balm – Beeswax & Shea Butter, $18, 4. Once Upon A Time Anti-Wrinkle Plumping-Smoothing Lip Balm, $20
ISSUE: SAGGING SKIN
Ageing causes a decrease in the production of collagen and elastin, as well as the amount of natural moisture, leading to a loss of firmness and elasticity which in turn produces a sagging effect.
CURE: Your focus should mainly be on rebuilding the skin so look for products that contain retinol (vitamin A) or hydroquinone, as well as antixoidants like Vitamin C and coenzyme Q10. You can also replenish your skin with products containing lactic acid for hydration.
SHOP IT: 1. Cellex-C Formulations Advanced-C Skin Tightening Cream, $164, 2. Adrien Arpel Cellular PPRX, $49, 3. Dr. Brandt Time Arrest Cream, $125, 4. Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lift Age-Correcting Creme, $354
ISSUE: PIGMENTATION
Sunlight, environmental factors and the natural passage of time all contribute to the development of dark spots, skin pigmentation and uneven skin tone. There’s also emotional stress and hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause to contend with.
CURE: Key ingredients to consider when trying to control hyperpigmentation are Vitamin C and hydroquinone which improve irregularities and the appearance of dark spots, while evening out the skin tone. Similarly, retinol-based products makes the skin smoother, firmer, and more even-toned. Exfoliation is also pivotal to the facial rejuvenation process. It increases dermal volume, making skin look less wrinkly and uneven and will also help fade brown spots and redness. A scrub or a chemical exfoliant, such as a glycolic peel or a lactic-acid cleanser are great at curing the effects of age-induced pigmentation.
SHOP IT: 1. Jan Marini Age Intervention Enlighten Plus, $136, 2. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, $82, 3. Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleanser, $47, 4. EmerginC Complexion Perfection, $109
ISSUE: UNDER EYE BAGS
It’s normal for eyes to bag slightly due to decreased elasticity of the skin as you age. Stray blood cells leak out of under-eye vessels, potentially causing the area beneath to darken and appear bruised.
CURE: Eye creams or serums containing retinol can help thicken the thin skin under the eyes, making it look less transparent. Anti-aging eye cream products containing vitamin K will also help dark circles fade. It’s also important to boost the circulation underneath your eyes to brighten the area and reduce puffiness. Try an eye cream with a metal applicator to help this process. Also, don’t ever underestimate the power of a good concealer! Start by putting on eye cream—concealer can settle into fine lines of all skin types, especially drier complexions. Then apply a generous layer of concealer from the inner corner of the eye around to the outer corner with a concealer brush. Pat and press the product into the skin to blend. If there’s still any darkness visible, apply a second layer of concealer. Set the concealer with a dusting of face powder that matches your foundation.
SHOP IT: 1. Dr. Dennis Gross Lift & Lighten Eye Cream, $79, 2. Olay Rejuvenating Eye Roller, $33, 3. Jouer Age Repairing Concealer, $34, 4. Eve Lom Eye Lift, $112
ISSUE: CROW’S FEET
The lack of a fatty tissue layer is what causes crow’s feet around the eyes to become visible. Eventually, the fatty tissue layer is lost or becomes thinner as time progresses, hence how creases start to appear. Constant muscle contraction from smiling or squinting as well free radicals and UV exposure can damage cellular DNA and lead to eye crevices.
CURE: Amino acids called hexapeptides can block the nerve signals that cause muscles to contract around the eyes, as they work on the same principle as Botox. When applied, the ingredients subtly inhibit muscle movements to soften wrinkles and prevent new ones from forming around the blinkers. The ingredient retinol also helps to tighten and smooth out smile lines.
SHOP IT: 1. Chantecaille Nano Gold Energizing Eye Serum, $315, 2. Pevonia Evolutive Eye Cream, $81, 3. SK-II Wrinkle Specialist, $190, 4. Guinot Hydrazone Eye Contour Serum Cream, $58
ISSUE: AGING EYEBROWS
Like your skin and hair, your brows can start to show their age. They can thin out, become coarse and unruly, or turn gray.
CURE: Just as a new hairstyle can trim away the years, a well-groomed, well-defined brow can lend your face a years-younger look. Use a brow powder to fill in patchy spots and make your arches look thicker or lengthen your brow tails with a pencil. If your brows are mostly gray, dyeing them is the best fix. Ask your stylist if your salon offers the service (it’s often free when you get your hair coloured).
SHOP IT: 1. Laura Mercier Eye Brow Groomer Brush, $19, 2. Jane Iredale Super Shape Me Eyebrow Kit, $88, 3. Lashem Measurable Difference Eyelash & Brow Enhancing Serum, $86, 4. Shiseido Natural Eyebrow Pencil, $31
PRO TIP: Your skin reflects what you eat. Chemicals and processed foods are toxic to your cells and cause degeneration, making you look older. Your skin is an eliminating organ, and if you’ve got a poor diet or are dehydrated, your complexion will show it. Plenty of fresh fruit, veggies and water will help alleviate dull skin and the overall aging process.
❤ Kristina xo
Ps. In a beauty fix and need some advice? Or maybe you just want to chat about all things pretty? Drop me a line: kristina@fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au. Or, if you’re in the mood for some eye candy, come and see what I’ve been Pinning over at www.pinterest.com/freshdiscover. Better yet – join me on Facebook for more beauty fun www.facebook.com/freshfragrances. And for a plain old good time, come and follow us on Instagram – @freshdiscoverbeauty – & Twitter@fresh_fragrances.
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