You have a ton of time to plan your future, choose your career, and fall in love when you’re in your 20’s. You do not have a ton of time to decide to start taking care of your skin. The fight against aging can be won, but only if you fight the battle before it begins. If you wait until the signs of aging have already taken hold, you may have waited too long.
The fight against liver spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and saggy-baggy skin should actually start before those signs of aging begin to show.
The way to fight all of those signs of aging in the future is to effectively prevent them before they show up. Thinking so far in advance can be difficult, especially when you have places to go, people to meet, and parties to attend, but how you treat and care for your skin now will set the stage for how your skin will look 20+ years from now. The damage we inflict on our skin over time is cumulative. That means it all collects over time. Preventing visible signs of skin aging is much easier and less expensive than trying to get rid of them.
The process doesn’t have to be difficult. Preparing your skin now to reap the benefits of a glowing and youthful complexion in your later years doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated.
The Importance of Sun Protection
No joke. You’re hearing it yet again. Protecting your skin from damaging UV rays is absolutely vital to preventing damage down the road. You’ve heard it from your parents, you’ve read about it in blogs. Take their word, because they’re right. Without question, sun protection is the best way you can prevent your skin from aging . . . . or at least drastically slow that process down. According to Mona Gohara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, 90% of the visible signs of aging come from unprotected sun exposure.
Your skin is going to go through natural aging changes on its own, but photoaged skin will take on a leathery, lax, wrinkled appearance with broken blood vessels (telangiectasia) and age spots (lentigines). UV radiation causes a shortage of collagen by causing cells to break collagen down, instead of maintaining it.
Sun damage accumulates over time, so protecting yourself sooner, rather than later, is prudent! Your skin care routine should incorporate the daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply 30 if you’re going to be spending any time outside.
Fight Free Radicals Now
All of the toxins that you ingest, environmental pollutants you’re exposed to, and sun exposure you get takes a toll on your skin. These things can result in waste products called free radicals. Free radicals are the byproducts of cellular metabolism and they’re careening around your body looking for another electron, wreaking havoc in their path. That damage can accumulate too, unless you do something about it now.
Free radicals are the unstable byproducts of oxidation, the metabolic process of oxygen metabolism. This is the same process that causes iron to rust and bananas and avocados to turn brown. These free radicals cause oxidative stress by way of cellular damage, making cells vulnerable to decay and pathogens. They damage DNA and mitochondria (part of the basic building blocks for all tissues) which can result in many health problems. Once formed, these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction like dominoes.
Lifestyle choices and environmental factors can drastically increase the number of free radicals in the body, in turn dramatically increasing oxidative stress on the body. Things like eating fried foods, environmental pollution, UV rays, and eating charcoal broiled meats will increase this oxidative stress, but cigarette smoking is, by far, the most potent free radical generator in the body.
Prevent Aging With a Solid Skin Care Routine
Start a solid routine that consists of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. It doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s the ingredients that are important. Choose your skin care products wisely, and they will work ahead of the years for you. When you care for your skin properly, you’re able to nip any excess damage in the bud and mitigate any factors that contribute to aging.
Look for ingredients that are scientifically proven to fight the aging process. You can help your body to nab those free radicals by utilizing a skin care routine rich in antioxidant ingredients to counter all that damage. A healthy diet should be your number one choice, but topical antioxidants have been found to be effective, as well. Look for products that contain antioxidant-rich botanicals like green tea extract and pomegranate seed extract, and vitamins like vitamins A, E, and C.
Retinoids (derived from vitamin A) have the added bonus of increasing cellular turnover, allowing younger skin cells to replace older ones.
In the quest to preserve youthful and beautiful skin, SciaEssentials DELTA-5 is an incredible breakthrough. Derived from conifer seeds, it’s anti-inflammatory properties help your skin in a number of ways. Just 24 hours of use can make skin less dry and flaky, enhancing its glow. It works to resolve the damage done by a polluted environment and to reverse harm that comes from the sun. It can help to clear your complexion and reduce redness. It can be easily combined with your daily moisturizer to help to build and protect the skin’s barrier.
A little bit of elbow grease in your younger years in the form of a smart skin care routine can really go far towards combating daily insult. Stick to that routine, and your future self will thank you.
