How to Choose the Right Anti-Aging Skincare Products

As if there aren't already so many skincare products on the market today that claim to help diminish and prevent the signs of aging, how do you know which ones work and which ones are a waste of money? From wrinkle creams to eye serums and magic potion instant fine line erasers…which products REALLY work? First and foremost, to create a long-term and effective anti-aging skincare plan, it helps to start with healthy skincare habits.

Anti-Aging Skincare Habits

Here are 7 important healthy skincare habits for you to follow all year long from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). According to the AAD, years of research supports each of these recommendations.

Protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays: The sun's UV rays are the number one cause of aging. Sun protection forms the foundation of every anti-aging skincare plan, but it's not just about anti-aging. There is so much evidence that the sun prematurely ages skin. And skin cancer is a growing epidemic. Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen of at least an SPF 15 (SPF 30 is ideal) and make application a part of your daily morning routine. Reapply as necessary throughout the day. Whenever possible, wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat as well.

No indoor tanning: Tanning beds and sun lamps expose you to harmful UV rays that accelerate skin aging. Sunless tanners are the way to go in this day and age. Why fry your skin when you can achieve a healthy-looking glow with a sunless tanner instead?

Moisturize your skin daily: Normal, dry, oily, and combination skin all require hydration. As you age, skin becomes drier. Fine lines and wrinkles appear. Moisturizer helps trap water in your skin, giving it a more youthful appearance. For best results, use a facial moisturizer, body moisturizer, and lip moisturizer every day. The key is to select a product developed with your skin type in mind. Moisturizers for complexions that are oily or prone to breakouts should be more light weight. Dry skin will benefit from thicker creams, while light weight creams/lotions best serve combination and normal skin.

Wash your face twice a day: How you wash your face can affect your appearance. For best results, wash with warm water and a foam-free cleanser rather than soap. Warm water helps open your pores while cold water closes them up again. Using a foam-free cleanser won't dry out your skin. Also, avoid scrubbing your skin clean. Use a gentle circular motion. If you're too aggressive, it can actually cause excessive wrinkling.

No smoking: Tobacco smoke contains toxins that can lead to the Marlboro man's face…dull and dry complexion, loss of firmness, premature lines, wrinkles, and leathery skin.

Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet: A healthy diet promotes healthy skin. Make sure you eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Research suggests that low-impact exercise along with eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fruits, vegetables, and fish actually slows down the aging process not only for your body, but for your skin as well.

Get your beauty sleep: Make sure to get 7-8 hours of sleep daily. Skin rests and its cells undergo repair and turn over slightly faster when you are sleeping. This helps your face look bright and refreshed.

Proper Anti-Aging Skincare Product Selection

There are all different skin types and conditions. Choosing the right anti-aging skincare products is important for maintaining healthy skin. But with the hundreds of products on the market, how do you choose the right ones for you? Products that deliver visible results? It can feel like a hit-or-miss experience. Here are some tips that can help you shop with confidence.

Start with sunscreen and moisturizer: Dermatologists agree that sunscreen and moisturizer are the two most effective anti-aging products you can buy. Using them every day can make a noticeable difference. When shopping for a sunscreen, make sure it is labeled broad spectrum with an SPF of at least 15 (SPF 30 is ideal). Be sure to reapply your sunscreen every 2 hours while outdoors. Also use an anti-aging moisturizer at night which can help minimize fine lines and wrinkles.

Treat one skin concern at a time: Give sunscreen and moisturizer a few weeks to work. Then look at your skin. It is recommended that you focus on one concern at a time, such as wrinkles or dark spots, so you'll get the best results. No one product can treat all signs of skin aging. So start with one anti-aging serum or treatment at a time and then add another one down the road as your skin gets acclimated to the products. Patience is important.

Buy a product formulated for your skin type: Skin type refers to the skin characteristics you were born with. The amount of oil you produce, pore size, the degree to which your skin can pigment or burn, skin elasticity, how fast you wrinkle, sensitivity issues, how you scar…these characteristics make you different from others. These differences are due to genetics, your ethnicity, and race. The main point to consider is that different skin types have different needs and will respond to products differently. Your sunscreen, moisturizer, and other anti-aging products will work best if they are formulated for your skin type. For example, if your skin tends to be oily, select a moisturizer made for oily skin. If you have sensitive skin, you want to see the words "sensitive skin" on the label. This is important because no one product works for everyone.

Have realistic expectations: Unrealistic expectations such as wanting to look 10 years younger overnight or quickly reduce all signs of aging are too good to be true. It's important to remember that anti-aging skincare products are not miracle cures. For example, you cannot get the results of a facelift from a cream. However, proper selection of a safe and effective anti-aging skincare routine is so important for skincare maintenance.

Maximize the results you see: Is your skin oily, dry, or a combination of both? Is your complexion fair, medium, or dark? Is your skin sensitive? What conditions are you trying to correct or prevent? You may have more than one skin condition or issue, but remember that it's best to target your issues one at a time. Do you want to get rid of acne, acne scars, rosacea, dark spots, melasma, or hyperpigmentation? Do you have fine lines and/or wrinkles? Do you have large pores? Do you suffer from blackheads and whiteheads? Does your skin burn easily?

Assess short-term and long-term effects when it comes to the skincare products you choose. Some products may alleviate a specific problem quickly, but may not be best for long-term use. Know how a skincare regimen will affect your skin in one year or even longer.

After you've made a decision to try a product or regimen, let your own experience guide you. You're the best judge on whether a product agrees with your skin since you live in it 24/7. You look in the mirror and can see the changes day by day. Do you like it? Does it feel good? Chances are you're going to stick with products that make your skin look and feel good. So find something that works best for you and where you're seeing results along the way. Remember though, consistency is key when it comes to maintaining your skin with quality products that produce results.

Looking for an effective skincare regimen or routine customized for your skin type and conditions? Check out this simple, free skincare assessment to find out what products are right for you!

Sources:

https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/younger-skin/creating-anti-aging-plan

https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/younger-skin/selecting-anti-aging-products