The Skinny On Anti-Aging Skin Care

When it comes to the finding the most appropriate anti-aging skin care regimen, it all depends on your areas of concern. The best ingredients are listed below that tackle a multitude of concerns, and are excellent for a wide range of ages.

 Vitamin C

For starters, the potent antioxidant properties in Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) make it a vital molecule for skin health. It helps protect the skin from UV light exposure caused by free radicals, and helps regulate the synthesis of the structural protein collagen. Collagen aids in supporting the epidermis and works hand in hand with elastin to support the skin. Vitamin C has been a staple in ancient beauty, used in Tibet during the Tang Dynasty, and is most beneficial when applied topically. Vitamin C helps to rejuvenate and maintain firm and youthful skin, lighten and brighten dark spots, and is recommended for daily topical use.

 Hyaluronic Acid

Contrary to belief, not all acids are created equal. Hyaluronic acid is gentle and will not break down your skin all while turning back the clock. HA is a humectant, which means it draws moisture from its surroundings, and helps to plump the skin while giving it a smoother appearance. One gram of HA can hold up to six liters of water! This is especially beneficial for those who live in dry climates, and want to boost their moisturizers, as HA works best layered and/or in combination with other ingredients.

Retinol

This cure-all, superstar ingredient is a vitamin-A derivative, which tackles fine lines, sun spots, wrinkles, dullness, and crepiness to name a few. While it can take some time for your skin to acclimate to this powerful ingredient, the best approach is start slowly, using it 2-3 times a week for two weeks, and then adding an additional night from there on. To get the fullest benefits, give your retinol product a few months to reap the full benefits. You’ll be glad you did!

Niacinamide

Also known as nicotinic acid, and Vitamin B3, niacinamide is an excellent skin-restoring ingredient that helps to build proteins in the skin (think keratin), lock in moisture, and prevent environmental damage by rebuilding healthy skin cells. Other benefits include minimizing pore appearance, acne control, oil regulation, tackling fine lines and wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation reduction.

CBD

A naturally occurring plant compound derived from the cannabis plant, also known as cannabidiol. While found in the marijuana plant, it is non-psychoactive and completely legal. In skin care, its benefits are amazing. CBD is a powerful antioxidant, which helps counteract signs of aging caused by free radicals, and is possibly more powerful than Vitamin C and E combined. CBD treats inflammatory skin conditions (think eczema and acne), supports the skins natural healing process, and evidence suggests cannabinoids help manage dry skin as it moisturizes without clogging pores.

Here are a list of my recommended anti-aging products by Color Up Therapeutics and SkinMedica :

1. Color Up Therapeutics 100mg Moisturizer UV Repair 2. Color Up Therapeutics Treatment Oil 3. Color Up Therapeutics Dark Circle Reduction and Firming Eye Cream 4. SkinMedica Lytera 2.0 Pigment Correcting Serum 5. SkinMedica Vitamin C+E Complex

Want to add more fun to your skin care care routine? Check out these products by Grande Lash MD:

1. GrandeLash - MD Lash Enhancing Serum 2. GrandeLIPS Hydrating Lip Plumper, Gloss 3. GrandeBROW Brow Enhancing Serum

Place an order for any of the above products by contacting me through this link, at 720.236.7541, through email — heather@RadiantSkinRN.com.

What products do you swear by? Leave a comment below!

Skin Anti-Aging Strategies

Let’s be honest. We are aging! Our skin shows the most obvious first signs, and there is much that goes into the complexities of skin health. This includes extrinsic (environmental damage, sun damage, and toxins), and intrinsic (cellular metabolism, and hormones) factors.

Skin health and beauty are considered the overall principle factors that represent health and well-being in humans, which makes for a very lucrative anti-aging industry. Thankfully we live in an innovative time where going under the knife is far from the only option.

AdobeStock_245902253_rs.jpeg

There are several anti-aging approaches:

Cosmetological care: Daily skin care, sun protection

Topical: Cell regulators and antioxidants

Invasive/Minimally Invasive Procedures: Chemical peels, IPL (Intense pulsed light), RF (radiofrequency), ablative and nonablative laser photo rejuvenation, injections and fillers

Systemic agents: Hormone replacement therapy, antioxidants

Avoiding extrinsic factors, making life style changes: smoking, pollution, sun exposure, stress, physical activity, control of health

As the above suggests, there are numerous options to approaching aging and skin health. Some are more immediate and require zero down-time, while others require more extensive healing and/or time to see noticeable results.

The first, most important approach is a daily skin care routine. A daily routine is necessary in protecting against dehydration and environmental damage. In this article posted by Allure, we are reminded that our skin is our largest organ, and it must be taken care of as we would take care of the rest of our body with exercise. Topical antioxidants, which reduce inflammation, used in combination with sunscreens and retinoids help in preventing and even correcting wrinkle formation. I’ll dive more into this next week.

While aging is inevitable, the bottom line is that preventative approaches are at our fingertips. It is a personal journey, and definitely worth seeing a professional to gain the necessary knowledge and guidance that is best for your areas of concern. Most importantly, the journey should be fun and rewarding!

What are your favorite approaches? Great experiences, bad experiences? Let me know!