Article Overview
- Learn the correct skin care routine order for the ideal application. A step-by-step guide to achieving nourished & healthy looking skin. Although signs of skin ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles and age spots are inevitable as we get older, incorporating a targeted anti-ageing skin care routine can help to manage, minimise and ease the appearance of these features for more youthful-looking skin. From genetic predispositions to external aggressors, learn about the skin’s natural ageing process and how best to develop a corrective daily anti-ageing skincare routine for fresher, healthier-looking skin.
WHAT CAUSES SKIN AGEING?
Ageing skin is caused by an internal maturing process that accelerates with time. As we age, the skin cell production rate slows, causing a decline in the skin’s ability to repair, renew and rejuvenate. This natural bodily function is known as intrinsic ageing and can be sped up by a range of external factors such as smoking, pollution, UV exposure (1), stress, diet, physical activity and overall health. Acting as an external shield to the body, the skin is the first layer of protection against external forces. As a protective barrier, the skin is constantly battling external aggressors such as environmental and lifestyle impacts, which without additional care and protection can trigger the formation of premature signs of ageing.
The most common signs of ageing skin are (1):
- A loss of volume and elasticity in the skin with increased sagging
- The formation of fine lines and deeper wrinkles
- The appearance of age spots from UV induced pigmentations
- An increasingly dull or rougher complexion
COLLAGEN’S ROLE IN ANTI-AGEING SKIN CARE
Collagen is a natural protein found within the body and skin which provides structure by binding cells together for improved firmness. Collagen’s primary function is to keep the skin firm and elastic, however, ageing decreases the natural production of collagen in the skin therefore affecting skin appearance. Older skin presents a more disorganised system of collagen with areas lacking its structural support. Introduce the right anti-ageing skincare products, such as antioxidants, to help protect the depletion of collagen and encourage the natural skin repair process. Antioxidants work to reduce free radical damage, by neutralising unpaired electrons that leave a negative impact on the skin. Free radicals can result from external influences such as UV impact, smoking and stress. Antioxidants can also restore order within skin cells and protect collagen production. Incorporating collagen friendly anti-ageing skin care ingredients into your daily skincare routine will encourage firmer, smoother and healthier-looking skin, and work as a protective measure against the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
KEY ANTI-AGEING SKIN CARE INGREDIENTS
It’s important to understand which active ingredients are best used in anti-ageing skincare to develop an effective approach with the best results for your individual skincare concerns.
Retinol is widely used in skincare for mature skin due to its function to promote a faster cell turnover rate to invigorate skin and reduce signs of ageing. The powerful ingredient is the purest form of vitamin A and helps stimulate cell renewal and collagen production in the skin, making retinol an effective addition to an anti-ageing skincare routine. Glycolic acid also makes a suitable ingredient for mature skin as it is an alpha-hydroxy acid that is utilised as a chemical exfoliants to improve cell turnover rate and minimise the appearance of common signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles.
MORNING ANTI-AGEING SKIN CARE ROUTINE STEPS
Equip your skin with the right nutrients and protection to face the day ahead with an effective morning anti-ageing skincare routine as the first item on the day’s agenda.
1. Begin an anti-ageing skincare routine with cleansing
Removing dirt and impurities without stripping the skin of moisture, the SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser will create the perfect blank canvas for all the deep-working anti-ageing skincare ingredients to come. This gentle facial cleanser provides the skin with a mild enzymatic face wash for ageing skin.
2. Toner is the second step in the cleansing process
Removing any residual impurities, the SkinCeuticals Conditioning Toner decongests the skin for improved skin tone and texture. Use this toner after cleansing and apply a small amount to the face, neck and chest for perfectly toned skin. The SkinCeuticals Conditioning Toner is formulated with glycolic acid which is a key ingredient for effective anti-ageing results.
3. Incorporate a vitamin C serum for antioxidant repair
The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is a powerful vitamin C and E serum that utilises the strength of a trio of antioxidants to fight the signs of skin ageing. Apply the effective anti-ageing serum using 4-5 drops, then massage the product into a dry, freshly-cleansed face, neck and chest until fully absorbed. The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic has proven anti-ageing results that show improved skin elasticity, a brighter complexion, and reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
4. Give your skin boost of moisture with a hyaluronic acid serum
Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient for retaining moisture and hydration within the skin. The natural level of hyaluronic acid declines with age, so it is recommended to replenish this valuable nutrient’s supply by 30% with the SkinCeuticals H.A. Intensifier Serum to restore plumpness, firmness and smoothness in ageing skin.
5. Choose a corrective anti-ageing cream to counteract skin damage
The SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Interrupter is a corrective anti-ageing face cream that works to nourish and restore mature skin and fight against visible skin damage. Advanced glycation end-products are found in many foods and can cause oxidative stress, a key cause of ageing skin. The SkinCeuticals A.G.E Interrupter targets advanced glycation end products (A.G.E) to visibly reduce fine lines, wrinkles and improve the skin’s texture.
6. Brighten the eyes with an anti-ageing eye cream
Eyes are a central feature of the face and show signs of ageing first. Introduce an anti-ageing eye cream such as the SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream to target crow’s feet, fine lines, puffiness and dark circles around the eyes. Formulated with ingredients to target advanced glycation end products, this anti-ageing eye cream should be applied under the eyes and around the orbital bone for brighter, younger-looking eyes.
7. Nourish the skin with an anti-ageing moisturiser
Seal in your active ingredients with a hydrating and restorative moisturiser for nourishing protection throughout the day. The SkinCeuticals Emollience is made up of a rich yet lightweight formula that is ideal for an anti-ageing skincare routine. Apply a generous amount of this moisturiser to the face, neck and chest every morning.
8. Protect the face with high SPF protection
Protect your skin against UV impact, a key culprit of photo-aging in the skin. The SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defence SPF 50+ Sunscreen is a high UVA/UVB broad-spectrum moisturising sunscreen that protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays that can cause visible skin ageing. Apply to the face 20 minutes before sun exposure.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Apply 20 minutes before sun exposure. Sunscreen is only one part of sun protection so wear protective clothing and seek shade. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming, towelling and perspiring in accordance with directions.
NIGHT TIME ANTI-AGEING SKIN CARE ROUTINE
Finish your day with an effective night time anti-ageing skincare routine, rich in powerful, active ingredients to restore and replenish skin after a day of exposure to external aggressors.
1. Cleanse away the impurities of the day
Wash away makeup, dirt, pollution, and oil that has accumulated on the skin throughout the day with the SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser. Cleansing is an important step in an evening anti-ageing skincare routine as it creates a clean canvas for active ingredients, so they are able to penetrate the skin and do their work efficiently.
2. Rebalance the skin with a toner
Following cleansing, apply a toner such as the SkinCeuticals Conditioning Toner to remove any residual impurities in the skin and refresh the skin. Toner also works to minimise the appearance of pores, boosting a healthier, younger-looking result.
3. Apply retinol for anti-ageing skincare
Retinol works as an effective ingredient in an anti-ageing skincare routine as it encourages a faster skin cell turnover rate and minimises visible signs of ageing. As a powerful active ingredient, retinol requires a gradual introduction to skin for best results. The SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.3 is formulated for new retinol users and is effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is recommended to apply retinol as part of an evening skincare routine as it can increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV exposure, and so night time application gives the skin time to absorb the potent anti-ageing ingredient. Always use in conjunction with high SPF during the day.
4. Vitamin C serum offers protection against free radicals
Utilise the power of antioxidants with an anti-ageing vitamin C serum to reduce the effects of oxidative stress and restore skin after a long day of fighting against external aggressors. The SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum works as an effective measure for mature skin with its trio of antioxidants that form a protective barrier against environmental damage. C E Ferulic also works to improve the appearance of wrinkles, restore loss of firmness and brighten the skin’s complexion.
5. Treat your skin with a corrective anti-ageing cream
Nourish and replenish the skin with the essential nutrients of a corrective anti-ageing face cream to rebalance and nurture at the end of the day. The SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 is an anti-ageing cream that utilises 2% pure ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol and 2% fatty acids to restore the skin’s protective barrier to protect mature skin. This anti-ageing cream demonstrated a 66% improvement in the skin’s texture and a 35% improvement in the skin’s elasticity, for healthier, younger-looking skin.
6. Incorporate an eye cream for brighter eyes
Eyes are a crucial part of an evening anti-ageing skincare routine due to the susceptibility of the eye area to form wrinkles known as ‘crow’s feet’. Apply an eye cream such as the SkinCeuticals A.G.E. Advanced Eye Cream in the evening to fight the appearance of crow’s feet, dark circles, and puffiness around the eyes.
7. Soothe the skin with anti-ageing night cream
Lock in all the powerful ingredients and hydrate your skin after it has faced a day of fighting off external aggressors with a night cream formulated for ageing skin. The SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Dry is a skin-refining moisturiser that restores a brighter and more even complexion. Apply a small amount each night to the entire face and allow the cream to penetrate deeply into the skin overnight.
Whilst visible skin ageing is inevitable, developing the right anti-ageing skincare routine can help to minimise signs of maturing skin. Nourish, restore and care for ageing skin with a combination of effective ingredients formulated to fight the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and increased laxity. SkinCeuticals utilises the power of scientifically developed formulas and potent active ingredients to deliver powerful, visible and lasting results. Achieve a brighter, firmer and more youthful-looking complexion when you incorporate a targeted corrective and preventative daily regime for ageing skin.
Next: Which antioxidant serum is right for you?
Shop Featured Products
Ultra Facial Defense Sunscreen SPF50
SPF50+ broad spectrum facial sunscreen for very high-level protection against UVA/UVB rays with an ultra-moisturising formula.
A.G.E Interrupter Advanced Anti-Wrinkle Cream
Anti-wrinkle cream
Renew Overnight Dry Hydrating Moisturiser
Night time skin-refining moisturiser for normal or dry skin.
C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum
A vitamin C serum for fine lines and wrinkles.
