Top 10 Anti-Aging Secrets and Solutions You May Not Have Known to Try

When it comes to skincare, you’ve probably heard it all. From drinking a gallon of water every day to never going to bed with your makeup on, the secrets are already out on all the must-dos of proper skincare. But, here’s the thing. Skin is a living organ. It changes over time. It only makes sense that you should adjust your skincare to work with these changes. On that note, here are 10 anti-aging skincare secrets and solutions you may not already know about!

1. Fight Back Against Free Radicals

While it’s true that there’s no such thing as the fountain of youth, antioxidants and peptides can be almost as good for slowing down the signs of aging. Incorporating free radical neutralizers like CoQ10, green tea, and vitamin C into your diet, supplements, and skincare products can really make a difference. Look for a serum with peptides and antioxidants to help prevent future signs of aging and target fine lines and wrinkles, too.

2. Switch to a Gentler Face Wash

Our skin becomes thinner, more sensitive, and less oily as we age (thanks, hormones). While it’s possible that you may still have an occasional breakout in your 50’s and beyond, it’s better to switch to a gentler face wash that won’t dry out the skin or cause redness and irritation. Try a mild face wash that contains antioxidants like green and fatty acids for hydration.

3. Pat and Massage, Don’t Rub

Rubbing the skin can lead to redness, irritation, and potentially, more wrinkles. Patting or pressing your skincare products into the skin improves absorption and stimulates circulation without being rough. Massaging in upward outward motions is also a great way to wake up the skin and promote lymph drainage. Just be sure to lubricate the skin with a facial oil or moisturizer first, and don’t forget your décolletage and neck. 

4. Consider Retinoids

The protein that gives skin elasticity and smoothness, called collagen, depletes over time. This results in sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. Retinol and retinoid (the prescription strength version) are derived from vitamin A. They boost collagen production in the skin and improve cell turnover, improving smoothness, firmness, and elasticity. It’s best to start out slowly with these products, once or twice a week, and work your way up to every night as your skin adapts.

5. Stop Wearing Foundation

If you’ve worn foundation daily since you were in your teens, this might be a hard habit to break. The thing is, heavy foundations tend to settle into pores, fine lines, and wrinkles, which means they can actually make you look older. Consider making the switch to a BB or CC cream instead. These multitasking cosmetics inspired by Korean beauty blend away imperfections without looking heavy. As an added bonus, they often contain SPF and anti-aging ingredients… which means they’re actually good for the skin!

6. Boost Your Intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s fight inflammation throughout the body, including the skin. Boosting your intake of fatty acids can also improve your skin’s hydration level, improving firmness, elasticity, and suppleness. They’re also great for your brain, heart, and joints. Fatty fish, algae oil, and flaxseed oil are all excellent sources of omega-3s.

7. Upgrade Your SPF

Sunscreen is so important for anti-aging! Wearing an SPF 30 or higher every time you go out in the sun is the best way to prevent age spots and hyperpigmentation. But not all sunscreens work the same on aging skin. Upgrade your SPF by switching from an alcohol-based sunscreen to one that has a moisturizing, creamy consistency. You should also choose one that contains antioxidants like vitamin E to protect collagen and fight free radical damage.

8. Be Meticulous (But Gentle) with Your Cleansing Routine

Although you should switch to a gentler face wash, it’s still incredibly important to always remove your makeup thoroughly at the end of the day. Makeup settles into pores and fine lines, making them look bigger. So, even if you’re not as worried about breakouts anymore, you should still be meticulous with your cleansing routine. Adopting a Korean Double Cleansing routine is a great way to ensure that your skin is free of dirt and makeup without stripping aging skin of crucial moisture.

9. Use a Richer Facial Moisturizer

Oil glands in the skin become less active as you get older, so hydration and moisture become your best friends. Switching your facial moisturizer to a richer product helps trap moisture in the skin, making it look plumper and fuller, which reduces the appearance of fine lines. Hydrated skin also looks more youthful, which is the ultimate goal. While you’re at it, be sure to moisturize your neck, chest, and hands, too, because they are often the first places to show signs of aging.

10. Exfoliate Regularly

Did you know that your skin sheds dead cells and creates a new layer every 28 days? Unfortunately, this process slows down as we age, allowing dead cells to build-up on the skin and causing the complexion to look dull and rough. Exfoliating removes that buildup and allows the new skin underneath to come to the surface. Stay away from scrubs and stick to gentle chemical exfoliators or fruit and botanical acids which dissolve away dead skin without causing irritation.

Making these simple changes to your skincare and daily routine can have a dramatic impact on how your skin ages over time. Have you tried any of these anti-aging solutions? 

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