Skin aging is a natural process that affects both men and women . If this is true, why do some people of similar ages have flawless skin while others look 30 years older? Genetics have something to do with these differences, although skin care is the most important factor in avoiding wrinkles on the face and hands.
Besides, a healthy lifestyle (balanced diet, a little physical activity and restful sleep) It also helps prevent aging on the inside , in muscles, joints and, of course, in the inner layers of the skin, where cosmetics cannot reach.
Should I take, then, vitamins to prevent aging ? If your diet is balanced and you do not have any particularity such as a problem of poor intestinal absorption, it is not necessary, although vitamin cosmetics will have an impact on the external appearance of your skin in general.
Why does skin age?
An adaptable skincare routine is essential to prevent premature aging
There are There are two types of skin ageing . One is biological ageing, which we cannot avoid, and the other is related to the environment, our diet and even our use of cosmetics. Biological ageing accounts for only 20 or 25% of the noticeable ageing of the skin, with the exception of patients who are born with certain genetically transmitted diseases, which are very rare.
He biological aging It occurs because the DNA of cells throughout the body deteriorates as a result of the repeated renewal of tissues. Medicine is investigating the possibility of slowing down or stopping this type of aging, in order to increase life expectancy and quality of life in old age.
The aging that we call environmental is perceived more clearly in exposed areas of the skin, such as the face, neck and hands, because the skin is the organ that protects us from the outside and because Much of the damage to DNA not due to the passage of time is caused by ultraviolet radiation .
Therefore, if you want to prevent the environmental aging , also called premature aging , first of all, don't forget a good sunscreen. You should use it all year round, not just when you go to the beach or the mountains.
How do I know if my skin is aging?
Sometimes our skin looks dry or lifeless. because we are sick or because we are not hydrated enough. If you have a bad flu and your skin does not look as usual, do not panic, and wait a few days after you have recovered.
However, when we take care of ourselves and have perfect tests, but the skin begins to maintain the resting expression marks or small wounds take longer to heal, it is clear that the skin no longer regenerates at the same speed as before and visible aging has begun.
Don't be alarmed, By helping your skin to hydrate, nourish and regenerate itself with effective diet and cosmetics, you can keep your complexion unfazed by the changes of aging for decades .
For avoid wrinkles The main thing is anticipation, although it is true that there are cosmetics capable of repairing those that are not very deep. Do you know rosehip oil? Well, if you combine it with rice germ oil , as has been done With La Albufera, you get a regenerating and anti-aging booster suitable for all skin types, including oily skin. These skin types are not free from wrinkles, although they are more prone to sagging, which can also be combated with this multi-purpose mixture.
When should I start taking care of my skin to delay its aging? Care that adapts to changes
In childhood , with sun protection . It is estimated that the first five years of life and the number of sunburns suffered during that period determine how your skin will behave as you get older after age 25.
We know that there was a time when tanning was associated with health and that many parents, for good reason, were not too demanding with sun protection for their children because they told us that an SPF4 or SPF10 were more than enough, that if there was no sunburn there was no harm either. Don't worry, even if you were not very careful with solar radiation in your childhood, it is also true that the thinning of the protective ozone layer was a minor problem and, therefore, you can have skin that does not age prematurely despite being 30, 40 or 50 years old.
During adolescence, start moisturizing your skin , especially the skin, or even earlier if necessary, for example, if you use some anti-acne treatments. During these years, the skin usually does not need much pampering and light moisturising fluids or simple aloe vera will suffice, combined with the correct sun protection. If you have special skin needs or a chronic dermatological disease , ask your dermatologist how you should take care of your hygiene and your skin to know which products you need and which ones you should avoid.
From the age of 30 , even if your complexion looks flawless, you should pay attention to your skin and adopt a facial care routine for the night and another for the day. At first, it can be a simple routine: gentle cleansing, exfoliation when necessary (without overdoing it) and a hydrating serum or a soothing mask at specific times.
If you suffer from chronic skin conditions, you will notice that you need to pamper yourself more once you reach your thirties. This is normal, your skin can no longer repair itself as well as before and you suffer from this more than someone without chronic conditions.
When visible signs of aging appear such as wrinkles, sagging skin or pigmentation spots, your skincare routine will have to become more complex, either with more steps or with the use of more powerful products.
The cosmetics that help the most
Sunscreens
We will never tire of repeating it, and we emphasize that there are now so many to choose from that it is easy to find the one that suits your skin type or takes care of your dry skin without leaving you with a whitish residue. There are some with physical filters and chemical filters, liquids, creams, with a makeup effect that camouflages skin imperfections... What there are no more are excuses for not protecting yourself from ultraviolet radiation.
Moisturizing and nourishing creams: differences
The main purpose of a moisturizing cream is to provide water and moisture to the outer layers of the skin, while a nourishing cream is to provide something else, whether it be lipids or minerals.
Years ago, it was often said that moisturizing cream was used during the day, as it was lighter, while nourishing cream was better applied before going to sleep. Today, there are such complete and customizable formulations that you can use a nourishing cream in the morning without fear of having a shiny complexion or your night cream can be a hydration bomb for your skin.
Anti-aging serums
It is a complement to moisturizing and/or nourishing cream. There are serums that seek to delay the age at which the first symptoms of environmental aging appear and others that are already designed to treat or correct them.
They are usually applied before the cream, which they do not replace, and some can only be used at night.
He skin aging It is due to a biological component and an environmental one. The first, which is unavoidable today, is a minor factor when it comes to determining how damaged the skin's DNA is or whether there are wrinkles at ages when others have smooth skin.
Skin care against environmental aging should begin in childhood and adapt as we go through the different stages of life.