THE INGREDIENTS THAT CAN TAKE YEARS OFF YOUR SKIN BUT NO ONE PAYS ATTENTION TO
Throughout my years in the skincare industry, premature skin aging has been one of the most predominant issues I often noticed. This isn’t so surprising because the skin is the organ of the body that is most exposed to the harmful effects of the environment (although, aging can also be caused by internal factors too). Aging is typically characterized by wrinkling, loss of elasticity, laxity, and rough-textured appearance.
There are many available solutions for treating aging skin. Each brand offering their magical secret ingredient, which often is a cocktail of exfoliants. The problem, however, is many of these ingredients do more harm than good to the skin.
Exfoliants take all the glory and honor when it comes to getting rid of aging signs. This is because they provide immediate effects and give you a temporary glowy & smooth appearance. However, what many skincare experts fail to mention to you is that in the long run, exfoliants actually do more harm than good to your skin.
Yes, they remove the dead skin cells but if you exfoliate too often (more than once a week), you begin to damage the skin’s acide mantel (or lipid barrier).
Think of it like this. When you’re hungry, you can either decide to eat junk foods or eat healthy and nutritious foods. They’ll both make you feel full but in the long run, junk foods do more harm than good to your body. The same applies to skincare. We need to change our thinking about what skincare can deliver & start looking at it as a way to take care of ourselves.
If you want to enjoy the benefits of exfoliation without the side effects of harsh physical exfoliants, consider utilizing a gentle lactic acid mask. Agent Nateur Holi (Bright) Resurface Glass Face Mask is a brightening beauty-boosting, resurfacing treatment. This mask is deeply hydrating, calming and soothing while also actively and gently resurfacing and refining the texture of your skin and minimizing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores. Ideal for mature, dry, sensitive, inflamed, or sun-exposed skin,
What then is the best solution for aging?
You might have started asking yourself “what then is the best clean ingredient that can take years off my skin?” Don’t worry, just keep reading, I have the answer.
Although they are mostly neglected, antioxidants, along with sunscreen should be the first defense against aging. They can be likened to the nutritious foods that not only make you full but also benefit your body in the long run.
What are antioxidants and how do they help with aging?
Antioxidants are molecules that help fight against the effects of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are compounds that cause harm to the body when they are present in excess in the body.
Although your body needs free radicals and can naturally get rid of excess on its own, your body loses its ability to fight against the harmful effects of free radicals as you grow older. The effects of this are more free radicals, more oxidative stress, and more damage to cells, all of which are major factors that cause aging. Several lifestyle, stress, and environmental factors can also lead to aging.
However, it should be noted that several lifestyle, stress, and environmental factors can lead to excess free radicals and subsequently lead to aging. These factors are some of the reasons people who are young tend to age fast.
Research has shown that when nano-antioxidant formulations are induced on skin wrinkles, it treats aging. Furthermore, many aging-related complications have been targeted using antioxidant therapy as the first clinical approach.
One of the best ways to reap the benefits of antioxidants is by consuming them in the form of supplements. Anima Mundi Moringa Herbal Supplement is a great source of antioxidants and works as a natural energy booster. Its detoxifying properties comes from Moringa's amazing ability to purify water and acts as a coagulant that attaches itself to bacteria and material.
Other benefits of antioxidants are that it reduces vision loss, prevent cancer, lower the risks of heart disease and strokes, and much much more... For an extensive list of the best food rich in antioxidants, check out our blog here.
Antioxidants can be gotten primarily through your diet but there are also products that have antioxidants as their major ingredients. Odacité All-Embracing Serum is packed with a plethora of antioxidants including watermelon, hibiscus, Vitamins A, B, and E! This amazing formulation leaves your skin moisturized and promotes a glowy, radiant complexion.
Gardenia + Tea Antioxidant Body Serum is another product that’s rich in antioxidants. It is a thin, antioxidant-rich body serum mist for skin that is smooth and beautifully fragrant. It quickly absorbs without leaving a greasy residue and leaves the skin feeling soft and luminous. Perfect for those that are looking for a product that can be quickly and easily applied before heading out the door.
Sunscreen and aging
As we all know, sunscreen helps to prevent the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. These UV rays have been associated with rapid aging symptoms like wrinkles, spotting, and loss of elasticity.
The sun does damage to the skin with different types of radiation. For example, skin cancer and sunburns are caused by UV-B radiation. On the other hand, photoaging which is the premature aging of the skin by the sun is caused by UV-A radiation
Sunscreen helps to reduce aging by protecting the skin from the UV-A radiation that causes photoaging. A study showed that people who use sunscreen on a daily basis experience 24% less skin aging than those who use sunscreen only intermittently.
It is best to use mineral sunscreens, especially the ones with non-nano zinc oxide as their main ingredient because they reflect both UV-A and UV-B rays instead of deactivating them. This is important because before rays are deactivated, they are first absorbed into the skin and cause heat which can trigger irritation for people with sensitive skin. Chemical sunscreens should be avoided as they deactivate the rays.
Kari Gran’s Sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen that has non-nano zinc oxide as a major ingredient. It also hydrates the skin, makes it glow, and makes it healthier.
Odacite Sheer Sunscreen is another sunscreen that is invisible, light, and has a high broad spectrum SPF. It also protects the skin from harmful blue light. Apart from non-nano zinc oxide, it contains Niacinamide and green tea which makes it work particularly well on aged skin. For more amazing sunscreen options visit our blog here.
Conclusion
The effects of aging can be easily reduced when the right ingredients are used. Antioxidants and sunscreens are two ingredients that should never be ignored when selecting products that work against aging.
Reduce the use of exfoliants and increase use of products that contain antioxidants and mineral sunscreens in your routine.Be well. Be safe. Be beautiful.