With so many skincare products on the market, sometimes it can be difficult to find the right products for your specific anti-aging needs.
These tips can help you on your next shopping trip!
1. Sunscreen and Moisturizer
Sunscreen and moisturizer are the two non-negotiables of an anti-aging skincare routine. Using sunscreen on a daily basis protects skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
“Our skin works to protect us from harmful ultraviolet radiation, which is why we should use sunscreen to protect us from damaging UV rays. Even on cloudy days, our skin is susceptible to the sun's rays which can lead to skin cancer, discoloration, and wrinkles over time.” According to Dr. Matthew H. Mahoney, MD, a Florida-based board-certified dermatologist.
When shopping for your next bottle of sunscreen, be sure to select one that offers:
- Broad spectrum
- Water resistance
- Minimum SPF 30
Be sure to apply 15-30 minutes before sun exposure, and at least every 90 minutes to 2 hours. Worried about messing up your makeup? Try a powdered SPF stick.
An anti-aging moisturizer keeps the skin barrier protected from harsh climates, dry air, and air pollutants. Anti-aging moisturizers should contain:
- Ceramides
- Glycerin
- Hyaluronic acid
- “Non-comedogenic” listed
It is crucial to find a moisturizer that suits your specific skin needs based on skin type.
2. Water Filters
FilterBaby PROdermis Water Filter
Tap water can damage and irritate the skin, especially for sensitive or aging skin types. All tap water contains minerals and heavy metals such as calcium, iron, zinc, copper and magnesium.
This can all be found in higher concentrations in hard tap water. These minerals can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier, leaving the skin looking dull and dry, speeding up the loss of collagen production in the skin.
Dr. Michele Green, MD, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City, explains the negative effects of unfiltered tap water on the skin,
These heavy metals can cause oxidative reactions to occur, causing more free radicals to form which can eventually lead to the breakdown of elastic tissue and collagen—the two most important things that keep our skin looking healthy, firm and youthful.
The Filterbaby PROdermis Water Filter is designed to protect facial skin through its 3-step ultra-filtration system. It dissolves up to 99% of chlorine and reduces other common tap water contaminants as small as 0.2 microns— rust, bacteria, microplastics, dirt, and more.
See how filterbaby works and how it can reduce contaminants in tap water, leading to healthier, happier, and more youthful-looking skin.
The major benefits of using the Filterbaby include:
- Replenish skin moisture
- Unclog your pores
- Protect epidermis layer of skin
- Prevent signs of premature aging
- Keep harsh chemicals away from your delicate facial skin
- Increase efficiency of topical products
3. Treat Your #1 Aging-Skin Concern First
Using sunscreen, moisturizer, and the Filterbaby are all great steps in the right direction. However, there is more that can be done to help keep your skin youthful, healthy, and glowing!
It is best to focus on one skin concern at a time. No products are a one-size-fits-all for every skin concern, so focus one the most important concern first.
“Using too many anti-aging products can cause excessive skin sensitivity, irritation, and redness. "Mixing ingredients without proper knowledge of how these ingredients work and what other ingredients they may interact with will be not only a waste of money, but also time. It can also lead to frustration if less than expected results are seen (or if the skin becomes irritated)," says Dr. Shari Marchbein, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
4. Buy Products Made For Your Skin Type
It is crucial to know what your skin type is in order to move forward with figuring out the best products for your needs specifically.
The five basic skin types are:
- Dry
- Oily
- Combination
- Sensitive
- Normal
Once you know your skin type, be sure to select products that won’t worsen existing skin concerns. For example, look for a product without certain alcohols if you have a dry skin type. Whenever possible, try to choose products with shorter ingredient lists.
Limiting ingredient lists helps limit the possibility of an allergic reaction.
"Your skincare routine should include products that complement each other in order to avoid over-drying, over-exfoliating, or irritating the skin," says Dr. David Lortscher, board-certified dermatologist and CEO of Curology. "More is not always better."
Before you apply a new product, conduct a patch test to ensure your skin is not irritated by the introduction of unfamiliar ingredients. To do a patch test, test the product on a small area of skin, like the inside of your forearm.
Watch for any negative effects on the skin after applying.
If you are ever unsure about a product, seek expert advice from a board-certified dermatologist.
5. Select Products That Offer The Following
Reading product labels could not be more important. Doing research to find the best ingredients for keeping your skin anti-aging is a must. Look for products that offer the following:
- Hypo-allergenic (unlikely to cause adverse reactions)
- Non-comedogenic (specially formulated to not clog pores)
- Consumer hotline (for questions and concerns related to the product)
When it comes to anti-aging, prevention is crucial. Antioxidants such as vitamin C and ferulic acid can work well with sunscreen to protect the skin from UV radiation and free-radical damage.
Vitamin C can help cells fight hyperpigmentation. Collagen occurs naturally in the body, however, with age, it can decrease. Vitamin C stimulates collagen production and protects against UV-related collagen loss. (By the way, using a good SPF is extra important if you’re using Vitamin C.)
"Ferulic acid works by neutralizing free radicals that eat away at our existing collagen production," says Dr. Dennis Gross, Manhattan based board-certified dermatologist. "This comes from UV damage, blue light damage, etc. Thus, it helps to preserve our existing collagen production and maintain a more youthful appearance.”
Retinoids are considered to be the holy grail of anti-aging ingredients due to their ability to increase skin cell turnover and increase collagen production. The benefits of using retinoids also include:
- Ability to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- Stimulate production of new blood vessels in the skin
- Fade dark spots
- Soften skin texture
Long-term use of retinol can have positive, lasting effects on the skin due to its strength and ability to clear the skin from imperfections and wrinkles.
Hyaluronic acid is also considered a favorite when it comes to an anti-aging skincare regimen. It has the ability to plump the skin leaving it soft, supple, and plump. It can increase moisture in the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
These products and ingredients all contribute to healthy, anti-aging skin. As we age, our skin can lack collagen and aged and damaged skin becomes more obvious. These products can help reduce the appearance of aging as well as give the skin a healthy and soft glow.
6. Be Realistic With Your Expectations
A consistent skincare routine, healthy diet, and hydrated skin can all contribute to making your skin look and feel its best.
However, exaggerated guarantees from a product, such as looking years younger with only a few uses or quickly erasing wrinkles or other imperfections, are impossible promises.
Nothing but tried and true science can deliver achievable results.
A skincare routine can sound like a lot of hard work for getting the desired results we can aspire to have. Skincare starts with the type of water we use to wash our face. Moisturizer, sunscreen, and products made specifically for our skin types follow this step.
A cheat sheet for a realistic and simple anti-aging skincare routine includes:
- Daily cleanse with the Filterbaby and your favorite cleanser
- Apply anti-aging products formulated for skin type
- Apply moisturizer with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, and listed as non-comedogenic
- Apply sunscreen with minimum SPF 30 and apply every 90 minutes to two hours
This cheat sheet to a realistic and simple routine can provide long-term results when consistent. No need to complicate things, the basics can keep your skin beautiful and anti-aging.
7. Stick Within Your Price Range
Although contrary to popular belief, higher prices do not mean the product is better or more effective at combating aging skin. Skincare is something you should invest in, but it doesn’t need to break the bank.
As consumers, we are often tricked into believing that quality and price are directly related. Effective anti-aging products can fit any budget.
There are numerous products on the market with a wide range of price options. Sunscreen, for example, can be as cheap as $5 to as expensive as over $100.
Taking care of your skin with an effective, anti-aging skincare routine should not have to cost an arm and a leg.
Tips for saving money on effective, anti-aging skincare include:
- Shop for drugstore brands (they can be effective too!)
- Find the right products for your anti-aging needs and stick with them
- Don’t buy too many products at once (to avoid irritation and lack of effectiveness)
Purchasing and using too many products not only can lead to dry and irritated skin, but it can also be a waste of money when products don’t end up working well with your current skincare routine.
And remember, aging is natural and normal. Don’t be terrified of getting wrinkles! Skincare is vital to your skin’s health, but aging is something that happens to everyone. Our goal here is to keep our skin healthy and prevent signs of premature aging.
Keep it simple and the results will eventually come!