I have aging skin

Aging skin refers to the natural biological changes that happen to your skin as you get older. These changes are a normal part of life, and the signs start to become noticeable typically in your 30s or 40s, though they can appear earlier depending on genetics, lifestyle (stress, pollution, late nights, poor food choices), and sun exposure.

Common Signs of Aging Skin:

Fine lines and wrinkles: Especially around the eyes (crow’s feet), mouth, and forehead.
Loss of firmness: Skin produces less collagen and elastin, making it looser and less bouncy.
Thinner skin: It may become more fragile and more prone to bruising or irritation.
Dryness: Aging skin tends to produce less oil, leading to dryness and rough texture.
Uneven tone or pigmentation: Dark spots (sun spots or age spots) may appear due to UV exposure over time.
Dullness: Cell turnover slows down, so skin may look less radiant.
Visible pores: As the skin loses elasticity, pores can appear more enlarged.

Skin aging is inevitable, but it can be slowed down, paused, or even reversed to some extent. It needs hydration, collagen support, and protection from environmental damage. We all want to look younger than our age. Here’s a routine that can help:

Step-by-Step Routine

Rise & Shine

1. Cleanse - A gentle cleanser maintains skin's natural pH and moisture balance, and protects the skin's natural barrier, ensuring that anti-aging products can work effectively.
2. Use a Serum - Look for a serum with hydration properties such as hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate, ceramides and peptides to improve skin elasticity.
3. Moisturize - Our skin produces less oil as we age, and is thus drier. Use a product with emollients like sunflower seed oil to moisturize and soften skin, and prevent water loss, keeping skin young-looking. Or humectants such as hyaluronic acid & sodium hyaluronate that deeply hydrate and plump up skin.
4. Sunscreen - This is a non-negotiable! Broad-spectrum SPF50+ prevents sun damage, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Best to choose one with antioxidants (like tocopherol acetate, niacinamide, green tea), too, so that it is not only protecting your skin but also neutralizing free radicals.

Noon Refresh

Reapply sunscreen.

Beauty Rest & Recovery

1. Cleanse - Remove any skin care product or makeup that you’ve applied during the day, as well as dirt, pollutants, and bacteria that have accumulated that can irritate and stress out your skin.
2. Exfoliate - Chemical exfoliants gradually slough off dead skin and reveal younger skin underneath. Look for alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid and lactic acid that are good for all skin types and are also great for fading uneven pigmentation.
3. Use a Serum - Use products with anti-aging and firming ingredients like retinol or bakuchiol to stimulate collagen production, reduce fine lines, and improve texture.
4. Moisturize - Use products with ceramides & peptides which strengthen the skin barrier and improve elasticity.
5. Take your supplements before bed. Look for supplements with antioxidants like glutathione, and Vitamins C and E to boost collagen production and protect against oxidative stress, which is a major factor in the aging process. Also consider taking an oral sunblock like polypodium leucotomos extract to protect against photoaging, which will make you look older than your real age.

Tips and Reminders

Stay away from the sun, especially between 10am and 2pm when the sun's rays are at its strongest and UV radiation levels are its highest, increasing the risk of photoaging and long-term skin damage.

Make sleep a priority. A good night's sleep is crucial for healthy skin and optimal cell regeneration, where old damaged skin cells are replaced with new ones, promoting younger-looking skin.

Be careful with your diet and lifestyle.
Refined sugar & high-GI carbs can lead to collagen breakdown (glycation).
Too much alcohol dehydrates skin and weakens barrier.
Processed meats (salami, bacon) can be inflammatory.
Excess salt puffs up skin and dehydrates you.

Instead, make sure you are getting proper nutrition.
Healthy fats (Omega-3s and Omega-6s) will help plump your skin
Antioxidant and vitamin-rich fruit and vegetables will protect your skin from oxidative stress. Green tea is also a great source of antioxidants.