Can I Slow Down Facial Aging Process?
Fortunately there are steps that can be taken to prevent or at least delay the onset on aging skin and most skin care specialists believe that the sun is probably the #1 enemy.* Dr. Elizabeth Goldberg, a medical doctor, and director of New York City’s Urban Dermatology agrees, saying, ‘The best preventative step is sunscreen, sunscreen, and sunscreen, or sun avoidance. Wear a hat or stay under an umbrella, do outdoor activities before 10 am or after 4 pm in the summer months. Antioxidants will also help to protect the skin throughout the day when applied in the morning.
Of course, in addition to avoiding the outside elements, treating the body well from within can be just as vital.* Toxins such as alcohol and cigarettes will both cause the skin to dry out and age prematurely as will drinking too much caffeine, a powerful diuretic. Ensuring the skin is well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water is essential, while feeding it with nutrient-rich fresh, unprocessed food will nourish and protect it.
When Should I Start Using An Anti-Aging Cream?
Because of each person ages at a different rate, there is really no set time to begin skin care regimen, although as we’ve seen, sun avoidance should start early on. It is up to the individual to assess the damage to their skin, which will be largely determined by lifestyle rather than age. ‘There is not a specific age one should start to use an anti-aging cream’, continues Dr. Goldberg. ‘Depending on genes and environmental exposures throughout one’s life, they will be more or less likely to develop damage to their skin at an earlier age. Generally you don’t want to wait until the damage appears, obviously, at that point, they are less likely to respond well to anti-aging creams. The best time to start is when you notice facial creases with the movement that resolve after long periods of inactivity (i.e. sleep). However, if you hit 40 and haven’t started, it’s probably a good time to start’.
With the slew of anti-aging products available on the market, it can be difficult to find the formula that is just right, although there are a few ingredients that are key and, according to Dr. Goldberg, will target the worst of the damage.
What Features Should I Look For in An Anti-Aging Cream?
Recent developments in the skin care industry have shown that ingredients designed to relax the facial muscles can be particularly effective in preventing creases and facial sagging from appearing. Peptides are thought to work on lessening the depth of these facial creases while growth enzyme technology is advancing as a way to stimulate cell renewal. Ingredients that help attract and retain moisture are key to a good anti-aging cream, ensuring that the dry skin receives constant hydration. Lastly, look for a formula that contains peptides that support skin tissue repair and resilience.
Anti-aging creams are more potent than ever working harder to prevent and reverse the signs of aging on the skin. New anti-aging formulations seem to pop up almost every day giving women a dizzying array of choices that leave most people scratching their head. However, choosing an anti-aging cream is easier than it may seem. Keeping a few potent ingredients in mind will help you find your next anti-aging cream quickly and efficiently.
Bottom Line
Although no one can completely escape the symptoms of time that appear on the face, using sunscreen to prevent skin damage and using an anti-aging cream is your best defense. The best anti-aging creams use ingredients that are clinically effective in promoting maximal hydration, reducing the appearance of creases and facial sagging, support connective tissue and skin cell renewal, the ability to diminish the appearance of facial creases long term and improve* skin texture and firmness to soften the appearance of creases and facial sagging while helping women stay looking as young as they feel.