Nowadays, there are so many skincare products in the market. From cleanser, toner, moisturizer, essence, serum, and the list go on. There are few brands that sell more than 10 products in a series, and all of those products should be used concurrently for the best result. Imagine how long you’ll have to get ready in the morning with that complicated skincare regime.
Skincare products help us to keep our skin well-moisturized, bright (not white), and reduce fine lines caused by aging. The latter is usually the one that we fear the most. Although wrinkle creams used to be reserved for the over-40 set, it is said that the earlier you start using ‘serious’ skincare products, you’ll get better chance to reduce wrinkles and other skin problems when you’re older. Now, if you’re under 40 years old, do you really need anti-aging products?
Although the common sense seems to be that anti-aging should begin when one hits 30, visible aging of the skin actually starts at about since your 20s. Collagen production lessens about 1% every year after maturity (around age 21). This is one of the factors in the natural (intrinsic) aging process that everyone goes through. But when skin really starts showing signs of aging depends on a few external factors, like sun exposure, whether or not you’re a smoker, alcohol, and your lifestyle as general.
According to New York dermatologist Dr. Kavita Mariwalla, you enter a pre-aging in your late 20s to mid-30s. At this stage, you might start to notice lines around your eyes and mouth, or dark spots from sun damage. There is also reduction in skin elasticity as elastin fibers become loose and break easily, and reduction in the water-holding molecules surrounding the collagen and elastin that keeps them pliable and moist.
And while pre-aging may be the most depressing term for you who’re in late 20s, it is actually not all bad news, as long as you’re using the right products. You don’t have to invest in like more than 10 different skincare products with different function. All you need is the essential ones that will slow down the aging process on your skin. Here are some skincare products that you may want to consider adding to your beauty regime:
Broad-spectrum sunscreen
This product is not only recommended, it is kind of necessary for women in all ages. Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects you from both UVA and UVB. For your information, UVA rays penetrate your skin much deeper and cause premature aging, while UVB rays are the ones that cause burns. Apply your sunscreen products before makeup.
Recommended product: Clinique City Block SPF 40
Retinol
In the world of beauty products ingredients, this has been considered as the ‘fountain of youth’. According to Dr. Mariwalla, retinol increases cell cycle turnover, promotes collagen production, and decreases pore size. It also can help clear up the adult acne that you may get at this stage in life.
Recommended product: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum.
Niacinamide and peptide night cream
Before bed is a great time to work on fine lines and skin healing, because that’s when the most reparation happens. That’s why it’s good to introduce your skin with products containing niacinamide, which has ability to reduce fine line and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and increases elasticity.
Recommended product: Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum
Because you’re still relatively young, the anti-aging skincare routine that you do in your 20s-30s is prevention and protection act to slow down skin aging. Just be sure to include broad spectrum sunscreen, retinol, and niaciamide and peptide-containing night cream to correct any sign of aging you might have now. Of course, you also need to balance it with your diet and lifestyle in general.
