The most effective anti-aging treatments are widely popular for a reason – they’re very effective at reversing and preventing signs of skin aging. However, anti-aging extends far beyond what happens during your appointment. An anti-aging skincare regimen can help you maintain your results by keeping your skin healthy and youthful. Knowing what to look for in a professional anti-aging skincare regimen can be difficult – after all, each person’s ideal regimen is different. During a consultation with our anti-aging skincare specialists in Kelowna, you can develop a personalized, holistic treatment approach to your goals. In the meantime, here are our best tips on assembling your anti-aging skincare routine in Kelowna for healthy, youthful skin.
What Should an Anti-Aging Skincare Routine Address?
Many times, people say “anti-aging” without indicating what it means. Aging skin is easy enough to spot, but the specifics of what makes up aging skin are more difficult to pinpoint. When we say “signs of aging”, we typically refer to these concerns:
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Brown spots, sun spots, and aging spots (pigmentation)
- Thin or lax skin
- Redness or visible blood vessels
Signs of aging can also extend to the neck, decolletage, and shoulders. The hands are also one area that famously experiences aging early on due to its exposure to UV rays.
At its core, aging means that the skin begins to lose its youthful health over time in the form of collagen. Collagen gives your skin support and structure, as well as keeping it looking bright and youthful. The effects of collagen loss are those listed above. Therefore, a good anti-aging skincare regimen in Kelowna typically addresses these specific concerns by supporting the growth and maintenance of collagen.
The Top 5 Product Types in an Anti-Aging Skincare Regimen
Your ideal anti-aging regimen can be as complex or as simple as you need. However, there are 5 basic categories that we recommend be included in every anti-aging regimen. These include:
- Cleanser
- Vitamin C
- Retinol
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
Let’s take a look at each of these categories of skincare in Kelowna in more detail.
Gentle Cleanser
Your skin type may determine the frequency of cleansing your face, but it should be done at least once to twice per day. This helps remove any impurities, oil, or makeup that may accumulate throughout the day. Because aging skin tends to be dry and prone to losing moisture, using a gentle cleanser that does not strip the skin of its moisture barrier is important. Use of gentle exfoliating cleansers two to three times per week can help with removing old skin cell and prevent sebaceous gland blockages. Once your skin is rinsed with warm (not hot) water, gently pat it dry with a clean towel and tone thereafter to restore your skin to its natural pH.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the most valuable active ingredients in an anti-aging skincare regimen because it both protects and rejuvenates the skin. On a technical level, vitamin C contains antioxidants that can neutralize free radical damage that comes from sun exposure. This type of environmental damage can, over time, break down collagen and cause many of the traditional signs of aging. Not only can vitamin C prevent this type of damage, but it can promote the growth of new collagen, increasing the skin’s thickness and overall youthful quality. With regular use, you may also find that vitamin C gives your skin a brighter, more even-toned appearance.
After cleansing, apply a few drops of a vitamin C serum all over your face and neck. This is best done in the morning and evening so that it can protect and rejuvenate your skin throughout the day.
Retinol
Retinol is one of the most talked-about terms in skincare – especially as it relates to anti-aging. Retinol is a form of vitamin A and encourages the cell turnover rate of your skin. Cell turnover is the process of creating new skin cells and shedding dead or damaged ones. The benefit of this is that your skin attains a more youthful quality and is less likely to accumulate concerns like dryness, fine lines, and texture. It can also boost the creation of new collagen, reducing laxity and thinness.
Retinol can, unfortunately, be irritating to certain skin types at first. We recommend beginning with a low dose or only applying it every few days to start. Retinol is best used at night because it can make your skin photosensitive. After cleansing, apply a few drops all over your face and neck.
Moisturizer
Moisturizer is one of the most important steps in an anti-aging regimen. Aging skin tends to be very dry and loses moisture easily, contributing to a textured and dull look. When you’re young, your skin tends to produce more oil, keeping it naturally plump and moisturized. As you age, use of an effective moisturizer helps restore and replenish the skin surface and barrier leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth.
Look for a gentle moisturizer that contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and or ceramides for additional hydrating benefits. You may consider using two moisturizers – a daily formulation and a night cream to help rebuild your skin while sleeping. If you’re already using vitamin C or retinol products in your regimen, make sure you’re not selecting moisturizers that already contain these ingredients. Apply moisturizer after your serums, allowing a few minutes in between for your skin to absorb them.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is essential to any skincare regimen, but it’s especially important to anti-aging. Sun damage is the most prominent cause of skin aging signs. That’s because, over time, UVA rays (the UV rays that cause aging) break down collagen and cause pigmentation, dryness, and texture. Protecting your skin from these rays is the best way to prevent signs of skin aging from occurring in the first place – and maintain youthful, healthy skin.
Sunscreen is a must for anyone, whether you spend significant time outside during the day or not. UV rays can still reach your skin through your office window or windshield. We recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 applied every 80 to 120 minutes when exposed to UV light. After applying your moisturizer, apply sunscreen all over your face, neck, and hands at least 15 minutes before going outside.
Schedule an Anti-Aging Skincare Consultation Today
Developing the ideal anti-aging skincare regimen in Kelowna for your skin takes time, guidance and the professional expertise of our skincare team. To learn more about your ideal skincare treatment solutions, contact our Kelowna skincare centre on (778) 760-5050 to schedule your appointment today.
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