Aging gracefully is a gift we can all enjoy. But there are more ways than one to keep our skin looking healthy and youthful.
What factors affect how our skin ages, and what can we do to prevent or minimize them? Many of the most common causes of skin aging are just a beautiful fact of life, but there are plenty of ways to combat them.
Let’s dive in.
Sun Exposure
Break out your phone and check the UV index!
No, but seriously, one of the biggest culprits of skin aging is sun exposure. Maybe you didn’t need us to tell you, but the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays damage the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin - the things responsible for keeping it firm and flexible (hence, elastic). Over time, this leads to wrinkles, sagging, age spots, and increased risk of skin cancer – all things we wish to minimize.
To protect your skin from sun damage, a rule of thumb is to wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Better yet, avoid excessive sun exposure - especially during peak hours.
Protective clothing is only getting better at shielding our bodies from the sun, but we also swear by cute broad-brimmed hats, big sunglasses (bonus: wearing these together makes you look like a movie star beside the pool), and clothing that generally covers your skin. Some brands even boast SPF protection in the fibers of their clothing, too.
What we recommend:
Daily Shield Tinted SPF 50 is our favorite lightweight, water-resistant sunscreen that also provides a natural-looking tint to even out your skin tone.
Air Pollution
Ugh, we know. The sun may be avoidable, but it’s hard to go about your daily life without walking around in the air — which can have natural pollutants in it, even if you’re in the crisp-aired mountains of the Alps.
But what are ‘pollutants’? Smoke, dust, smog, ozone, and more can penetrate the skin and cause oxidative stress and inflammation. Unfortunately, this can cause dullness, dryness, sensitivity, pigmentation, and loss of elasticity.
So how do we fight against the air? We think that the best defense is a good offense. And the best offense is a fool-proof routine: start with a gentle cleanser twice a day to remove impurities without stripping your skin's natural oils, follow it with a pH balancing toner, and top it off with an antioxidant-rich serum for a fantastic foundation.
What we recommend:
The Gentle Foaming Cleanser for all skin types
The Balancing Toner for normal to combination skin
The Intense Defense Serum for anti-aging benefits
Stress
You knew this one was coming. And like the air, stress is almost completely unavoidable (if you’ve discovered how, please let us know).
When you are stressed, your body produces more cortisol, a hormone that can trigger inflammation, breakouts, oiliness, redness, and premature aging. Stress can also affect your sleep quality, which can lead to dark circles, puffiness, and dullness. Stress is the ultimate opponent to your dream skin.
To reduce stress and its impact on your skin, relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, and aromatherapy can be life-changing. Getting enough sleep every night (at least seven hours) and avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine before bedtime can do wonders to get your bodily clock back on track.
But life gets in the way, so sometimes you need a little extra help. Bring on the TLC: products can make squeezing in some much needed self-care easy.
What we recommend:
The Renewal Eye Cream when the sleep just isn’t cutting it this week
The Intense Defense Serum when life is just coming at you too fast
Nutrition
What you eat can also affect how your skin ages.
A balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fatty fish and legumes can provide your skin with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, omega-3s and phytonutrients that can protect your skin. These foods fight inflammation, irritation, and support the cells that become your skin (and bonus: it shows up in your hair, too!).
And to provide both sides of this story, a diet high in processed foods, refined sugars, dairy, carbohydrates and unhealthy fats can cause skin inflammation, irritation, breakouts and premature aging. Yikes!
To nourish your skin from the inside out, you should eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin A. These antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals that damage skin cells and contribute to signs of aging.
In addition, Omega-3 fatty acids are your best friends when it comes to skin health. Here’s a cheat sheet of the best sources:
Fish oil supplements
Salmon
Walnuts
Sardines
Flaxseed
Chia seeds
Gravity
Seriously? Yes, seriously.
Ironically, gravity is a consistent factor pulling us (and our skin) literally down. Gravity pulls down on our skin and tissues, causing them to sag and droop over time. Of course, it’s over the entire duration of our lives, so gravity isn’t something to fret too much about on a daily basis. However, it can contribute to a loss of definition in the jawline, neck, eyelids, and cheeks.
To counteract the effects of gravity on your skin, you can try some facial exercises that can help tone and tighten your facial muscles. Ever heard of face yoga?
However, there is an easier route: using products that can help lift and firm your skin!
What we recommend:
The Renewal Eye Cream to help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging around the eyes
The Enriched Firming Mask to help improve skin elasticity and firmness - plus, it smells absolutely divine!
Genetics
Genetics play a role in how our skin ages as well. Some people are born with genes that make them more prone to wrinkles, sagging, or pigmentation than others. These genes can also affect how our skin responds to environmental factors such as sun exposure or pollution.
While we can't change our genes, modifying our lifestyle and skincare habits can help minimize their impact on the aging process. For example, if you have a family history of skin cancer, you should be extra careful about sun protection and regular skin checks. If you have a genetic predisposition to dry or sensitive skin, you should use gentle and hydrating products that can nourish and protect your skin barrier.
Luckily, medical-grade skincare products have the ability to alleviate some predisposed conditions like dry skin. For example, the Medical Barrier Cream is a rich moisturizer that can restore and repair dry or compromised skin.
Final Thoughts about the Beauty of Aging
It's clear that nurturing our skin is essential - but also that life happens!
Embracing the signs of aging is the same as embracing our life's journey, and it adds character to who we are. So, take charge of (and pride in) your skincare routine, cherish your experiences, and remember that aging gracefully reflects the beauty of a life well-enjoyed.
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