So you’ve hit 35 and are just beginning to notice your first signs of aging – thinning of your skin and fine lines. Your skin feels dry and you have age-spots and broken blood vessels that just won’t go away.Before you hit that panic button, you need to understand that all these effects are mainly due to two factors related to natural ageing – the thinning of the epidermis (the topmost layer of our skin) and reduced blood flow to the skin.
Why Does Women’s Skin Age Faster Than Men’s ?
Wrinkles are a sign of ageing and most of them are noticeable in the top layer of the skin.
In men, the top layer of the skin is 25% thicker than women which makes them less prone to wrinkling.
Men have more collagen content in their skin which is lost more gradually in comparison to women, so they tend to have a wrinkle-free skin for longer.
Another factor that may help men look younger could be better oil shielding against moisture loss and dryness through secretion of larger amount of oils by their oil glands.
Your Fight Against Ageing Skin
The most popular anti ageing weapon is the use of anti ageing cream. Home remedies come a close second and you will find people who swear by either of the two. Of course , prevention is still the best remedy to help you keep the dreaded wrinkles away.
Let's look at all these, and how they may or may not help you.
Anti Ageing Creams - Their secrets revealed
From fighting those pesky free radicals, to stimulating skin's natural collagen production, anti-aging products make some alluring promises. And consumers spend billions of dollars each year on such creams and lotions.But the most important question is do these creams really work?
Here are some commonly listed active ingredients, and the scientific evidence about whether they may play a role in decreasing signs of aging.
Peptides
As you age, your skin becomes thinner and loses fat, causing it to sag and develop fine lines. The body produces less collagen and elastin, substances that enables the skin to maintain its smooth, plump and youthful appearance.
Peptides are small proteins that help stimulate new cells to grow and help skin cells to heal.
Experts consider peptides to be good in moisturizers for hydrating skin, which can make lines less noticeable, but there is no convincing data that they work to actually reduce wrinkles.
Alpha-hydroxy acids
Alpha-hydroxy acids, or AHAs such as lactic, glycolic and citric acids, are natural ingredients that come from fruits and milk sugars.
"They are commonly used because they work as an exfoliant, getting rid of dead skin cells, allowing new cells to grow, and making the skin appear tighter"
Side effects include stinging and sun sensitivity, so experts recommend using a sunscreen every day.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are commonly claimed to help fight cell damage from free radicals, which are molecules that could injure cells and increase inflammation, and increase the risk of cancer.
Substances with antioxidant properties include beta-carotene, lycopene, selenium, and vitamins A, C and E.
Vitamin C:
Another potent antioxidant, vitamin C may help protect skin from sun damage. Before and between uses, wrinkle creams containing vitamin C must be stored in a way that protects them from air and sunlight.
Retinol
Touted as a tried-and-true method for decreasing signs of aging, retinol, a natural form of vitamin A, works by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and boosts the thickness and elasticity of the skin.
Touted as a tried-and-true method for decreasing signs of aging, retinol, a natural form of vitamin A, works by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and boosts the thickness and elasticity of the skin.
A more potent form of retinol, called tretinoin (sometimes sold under the brand name Retin-A), is available by prescription but may cause more side effects than the over-the-counter strength.
But women who are pregnant or plan to get pregnant should avoid using any form of vitamin A, because it may increase the risk of birth defects.
Another potent antioxidant, vitamin C may help protect skin from sun damage. Before and between uses, wrinkle creams containing vitamin C must be stored in a way that protects them from air and sunlight.
Coenzyme Q10:
This ingredient may help reduce fine wrinkles around the eyes and protect the skin from sun damage.
This ingredient may help reduce fine wrinkles around the eyes and protect the skin from sun damage.
Tea extracts:
Green, black and oolong tea contain compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea extracts are the ones most commonly found in wrinkle creams.
Grape seed extract:
In addition to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, grape seed extract also promotes wound healing.
Niacinamide:
A potent antioxidant, this substance is related to vitamin B-3 (niacin). It helps reduce water loss in the skin and may improve skin elasticity.
Matrixyl
Collagen is needed to keep skin elastic and give it a plump, youthful feel - but production declines with age
The secret weapon, Matrixyl, almost doubles the production of collagen, the anti-wrinkle protein that keeps skin looking plump and youthful.
The ingredient is found in face creams made by high street brands such as Olay’s Regenerist range, as well as in creams made by less well-known brands such as St Ives and Skin Doctors.
Argireline (also known as acetyl hexapeptide-3):
This peptide relaxes facial muscles to prevent wrinkles and fine lines from forming.
Argireline (also known as acetyl hexapeptide-3):
This peptide relaxes facial muscles to prevent wrinkles and fine lines from forming.
Consider these points when judging the merits of anti-ageing creams:
Cost: Cost has no relationship to effectiveness. A wrinkle cream that’s more costly may not be more effective than a less costly product.
Lower doses: Non-prescription wrinkle creams contain lower concentrations of active ingredients than prescription creams. So results, if any, are limited and usually short-lived.
Multiplicity of ingredients: There is no data to suggest that adding two or three of the ingredients above together will be more effective than just one of them.
Daily use: You’ll likely need to use the wrinkle cream once or twice a day for many weeks before noticing any improvements. And once you discontinue using the product, your skin is likely to return to its original appearance.
Side-effects: Some products may cause skin irritation, rashes, burning or redness. Be sure to read and follow the product instructions to limit possible side-effects.
Individual differences: Just because your friend swears by a product doesn’t mean it will work for you. People have different skin types. No one product works the same for everyone.
Home Remedies For A Younger Looking Skin
Lemon juice to reduce age spots
The vitamin C present in lemons is a strong antioxidant. Besides, its bleaching action works wonders on age spots and freckles. Just squeeze out the juice from a lemon, apply and leave on your skin for about 15 minutes every day and then rinse with plain water.
For even better results, combine 1 teaspoon of lemon juice with half teaspoon of milk cream and 1 teaspoon of egg white. Mix all these ingredients and apply on the face; after 15 minutes, rinse with cold water.
Lemon juice in combination with honey is also a very effective remedy for ageing skin because honey has a soothing action. Mix one teaspoon each of lemon juice and honey and massage it into your skin. Keep for 20 minutes and then wash with warm water.
Coconut milk to moisturise dry skin
Coconut is a treasure-trove of vitamins and minerals; it also has the ability to moisturise your skin and keep it soft, supple and radiantly young. Grate raw coconut and squeeze the milk out of it. Apply this coconut milk onto your face; stay for about 20 minutes and then rinse it out with warm water.
Papaya mask for skin firmness
The enzyme called papain in papaya can digest the dead cells on the surface of the skin and makes skin more elastic and firm. To make a papaya mask, cut a few pieces of a totally ripe papaya fruit and mash into a smooth paste. Apply this on the face and after 15 minutes, wash away with warm water.
Rose water to tighten skin
Rose water is a cleanser and also has an astringent action which means it tightens the skin. Mix 2 teaspoons of rose water with 3-4 drops of glycerine and half a teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply this mixture to your face using cotton ball every night before you go to bed.
Cucumber and curd pack to rejuvenate skin and under-eye skin
Cucumber helps to reduce the puffiness and dark circles under the eyes. Curd contains lactic acid which has the property of exfoliating the dead cells of the skin and this helps to rejuvenate the skin. Prepare a face mask by mixing half-cup curd with two teaspoons of grated cucumber and apply this to the skin. After 20 minutes, rinse with warm water. Using this face pack about twice a week for a few months will help keep your skin healthy and young.
Provide nutrition from within
While the local application of a face pack can help prevent ageing, it is equally important to strengthen the skin from within by providing it the right nutrition. Vegetables, fruits, fish oils and nuts such as almond and walnut are valuable sources of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids and help to keep your skin young and healthy. So make sure you eat a healthy, balanced diet and use the right nutrients on your skin and you don’t ever need to worry about leeches and snails on your skin.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure!
With a few lifestyle modifications and some tender loving care, you really can look as young as you feel. To help put you on the right path, here are a few tips that you should stick to in order to keep your skin looking as young as possible
1. Avoid excess exposure to the sun:
It’s the no. 1 cause of wrinkles with dozens of studies documenting the impact. Protect your skin from sun rays firstly by staying indoors while the sun is strongest. Secondly get into the habit of wearing a sunscreen before stepping out in the sun and reapply it every few hours.
2. Drink lots of water:
Insufficient hydration is the second major cause of excessive wrinkles. If you fail to get enough fluids in your body, cells will start to lose elasticity and eventually wrinkles shall start surfacing.
3. Quit smoking:
Apart from the many well-documented ill-effects of smoking on the body, smoking also causes premature ageing of the skin mainly by reducing blood supply and nourishment to the skin.
4. Get adequate sleep:
When you don’t get enough sleep, the body produces excess cortisol – a hormone that breaks down skin cells. Get enough rest and you’ll produce more HGH (human growth hormone), which helps skin remain thick, more elastic and less likely to wrinkle.
5. Sleep on your back:
To reduce wrinkle formation, sleep on your back. Sleeping on the side will create ‘cleavage’ wrinkles, since skin on that surface is being squeezed together. Those who sleep on the chest will most likely develop sleep lines on their neck, face and chest as a consequence of being crushed into the pillow throughout the whole night.
6. Eat healthy food:
6. Eat healthy food:
While this should already be obvious to every person these days, it is important to point it out once more. Consume a lot of vitamins that come from fresh vegetables and fruits as well nuts and seeds, which are all effective anti-ageing foods due to the amount of anti-oxidants they all pack.
7. Keep stress at bay:
Stress causes creation of certain hormones like cortisol which decrease muscular tissue beneath the skin. This makes your skin thinner and make it look wrinkled and old.
8. Use a moisturizer:
Many women these days are so concerned with anti-aging products they often overlook the power of a simple moisturizer. Skin that is moist simply looks better, so lines and creases are far less noticeable.
9. Don’t over-wash your face:
Tap water strips skin of its natural barrier oils and moisture that protect against wrinkles. Wash them off too often, and you wash away protection. Moreover, unless your soap contains moisturizers, you should use a cleanser instead.
10. Consult your dermatologist:
Do not ignore skin problems. Consult your dermatologist if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Let your doctor be the best judge.
Do What Suits You Best
Don't follow the latest fad promoted by the Hollywood celebrities or blindly go in for vampire masks and bird poo facials just because your neighbourhood beauty parlor is offering a discount! Make an informed choice, try out what suits you best and within no time, you are sure to hit on the best combination and have a glowing, younger looking skin that is the envy of everyone you know.
