12 Anti-aging Products that Actually Work
We all know that if we want to stay healthy in old age, we need to take care of ourselves while we’re young. The same rules apply to our skin.
A good skincare regime is all about ‘future-proofing’. Putting the handwork in while you're young, to keep your skin looking great when you’re old.
The problem is, the young don’t think they will age and they are certainly not concerned about ‘future proofing’. Luckily for us, the clever scientists in the skincare industry have made it their mission to undo the errors of our youth and help us turn back the wrinkles of time.
But before you rush out to your closest Space NK, its important to note that not all skincare is equal and If you’re looking to take 3, 5 even 10 years off your face (yes, it's possible), you need to know what to look out for.
There are four key areas you want to tackle when it comes to ageing skin. Pigmentation, hydration, skin-firmness and wrinkles.
Let’s start with pigmentation. All those holidays in sun can toll on your skin, causing a build up of excess melanin that over time, resulting ageing sun spots. To lighten areas of pigmentation, look for skin brightener ingredients such as vitamin c, kojic and azelaic acid.
Hydration. As we age our skin moisture levels become depleted resulting in dehydrated skin and an increase in fine lines and wrinkles. To boost moisture levels we recommend opting for a humectant such as hyaluronic acid serum, which can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, followed by ceramide rich moisturise to lock hydration in.
Skin firmness. There is nothing quite like a slack jawline to alert us to the fact we are no longer in our 20’s. Vitamin C is famed for its skin firming abilities (amongst others things). Use daily, alongside a nightly retinol (an anti-ageing powerhouse) to get your skin’s snatch back.
Wrinkles. Of course no anti-aging feature, is complete without mentioning wrinkles. A side effect from lack of hydration, reduced skin tone and movement, the onset of fine lines and wrinkles is when many of us first decided it is time for an anti-aging skincare regime. The majority of dermatologists will tell you that retinols such as Retin-A are the fastest way to diminish deep wrinkles. Speeding cell turnover so skin looks smoother, retinols are the one ingredient that has been scientifically proven to reverse the signs of ageing. They do however come with a potential downside, often cause redness and/or flaking until your skin adapts. For skin that is super sensitive or pregnant woman (retinol is a big no no in pregnancy) try opting for a serum packed with cell stimulating growth factors, to repair cells and increase collagen.
Now you know what areas to target, it’s to time to think about the steps and order of your skincare regime.
Step 1. Cleanse
Never underestimate the value of a good cleanse. Daily cleansing removes all the dirt, oil, sweat and bacteria that is accumulated on skin through out the day . It also preps your skin for your skincare, ensuring all the good ingredients you have forked out for, are fully absorbed into your skin. Its important that you use a specific facial cleanser for this, as anything else can strip your skin of essential oils, disrupting the skin barrier and causing irritation. Here at Editor’s Beauty we are big fans of the double cleanse, starting with an oil or balm based cleanser to break up any dirt or makeup and then using something with specific actives for your second cleanse.
Step 2. Exfoliate
Regular exfoliation (2 or 3 times a week), will help remove andy surplus dead skin cells to reveal fresher, brighter skin. Similar to a good cleanser, regular exfoliation will also aid product absorption, meaning you get more bang for your buck. Try to avoid rough physical scrubs and instead opt for something more gentle or a chemical exfoliation.
Step 3. Serum.
Serums are your hard working products that help to bring about change in your skin. This included your firming and brightening vitamin C’s, your anti-aging retinoids and skin straightening peptides. And make sure you follow the instructions. You can’t complain about lack of results if you are only applying it 3 times a week when the instructions say twice a day.
Step 4. Moisturise
A good moisturiser isn’t only essential for comfortable, plump and hydrated skin. It also acts a barrier to your serums, locking all the actives in. If you skin sits more on the oily side, don’t be tempted to skip this stage, instead opt for an oil free moisturiser.
Step 5. SPF
Up to 90 percent of skin ageing is caused by Ultra Violet light. Which means if you want to stay looking young, your SPF is the most important stage of your skincare routineI. And nope SPF in your foundation or moisturiser does not count. To truly protecting your skin from UVB and UVA (know to beak down collagen and elastin) rays you need to be wearing a high factor sunscreen of SPF 30 or (even better) SPF 50, every single day.
Skincare lesson over. It’s time to discover the anti-aging skincare products which actually work .
ZO SKIN HEALTH
From the world-renowned dermatologist Dr Zein Obaji, this non-retinol skin brightener is formulated to even skin tone, reduce dark spots and restore hydration, while calming and soothing irritated skin.
DR LEVY
Booster Cream £290
Dr Levy’s Intense Stem Cell Booster Cream is packed with plant-derived Argan CDV – the stem cell of the argan tree – which stimulates the duplication of skin’s dermal stem cells; the ‘mother cells’ of fibroblasts which in turn, manufacture the collagen and elastin which maintain skin’s density, strength and resilience. Hyaluronic acid then attracts and retains precious moisture to exert a ‘plumping’ effect,
Seven years in the making and 45 million hexapeptides later, Envrion have unlocked the solution to skin’s full rejuvenating potential. An advanced powerhouse booster, this vegan filler creme has been formulated to target the signs of lines, wrinkles and loss of volume to reveal a visibly smoother, firmer, naturally fuller-looking skin appearance.
THE ORGANIC PHARMACY
This award winning creamy cleanser and daily skin peel in one, works to increase cell turn over, reduce fine lines and wrinkle, and reduce sebaceaous secretion (by 54%). The results? A cleaner brighter, and more luminous complexion.
DOCTOR’S COSMECEUTICALS
Featuring Probiotics to restore the balance in your skin, alongside amino acids, multiple plant extracts and Hydrolysed collagen to increase skin flexibility, elasticity, hydration and suppleness, this advanced formula works to revive skin firmness and lift for a more youthful appearance.
111 SKIN
111 Skin’s concentrated, lightweight serum uses a powerful formula to deliver fast, intensive ageing and pigmentation fighting results. A more intensive version of the infamous Y Theorem Serum, the black diamond particles aid deeper delivery of active ingredients improving firmness and elasticity by encouraging collagen and elastin production in the skin, hyperpigmentation and volume.
OSMOSIS MD
Offering a sun-safe, barrier protecting, DNA preserving technology which is proven to stimulate collagen 1000 times more than regular retinols this powerful anti-aging Renew serum formulated with 0.15% Retinaldehyde (the least irritating form of Vitamin A) works to gently and completely renew the skin’s complexion.
ALUMIER MD
Famed for their standout formulas, Alumier’s microencapsulated 1.0% pure potent retinol treatment has been combined with niacinamide, honey and sodium hyaluronate. Improving skin tone and texture, and reducing the signs of ageing, this cutting edge formula proves that maximum results can be achieved in comfort.
BIOEFFECT
EGF Serum £129
A groundbreaking and award-winning, age-defying serum with Barley EGF – a skin-rejuvenating, moisture-binding, signaling protein – shown to significantly reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, rejuvenate the complexion, and increase skin’s moisture level with just 2-4 drops.
STRIVECTIN
This #1 US Selling Cream neck cream* just been upgraded. Visibly tightening, lifting, firming and smoothing the neck and décolleté, crepey skin is reduced and discolouration diminished for a more youthful-looking profile
SKINCEUTICALS
Perhaps the best vitamin C serum on the market, this powerful antioxidant that delivers 8x environmental protection, helps prevent free radical damage and improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness.
INSTITUT ESTERDERM
Intensive Hyaluronic Serum £53.90
Made from a patented complex of three different forms of hyaluronic acid that penetrate the deep layers of the epidermis in order to redensify tissue by filling it with water, this intensive serum instantly fills in wrinkles and fine lines by rehydrating the surface layers of the skin, whilst plumping at deeper levels of the dermis.
