The skin ages due to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. With an active approach that includes both healthy lifestyle and skincare habits, one can help stave off premature aging as well as reduce signs of aging. It is important to start preventative measures in the 20s and 30s as a consistent, positive routine for maintaining youthful skin health. “Repetitive healthy habits are so important to establish early in life because they make a difference if practiced over one’s whole life. I always tell my patients you only get one body and one skin and the better you take care of them now, the better they will take care of you for a lifetime,” advocates Dr. Anne Chapas, Noble Panacea Dermatological Advisor.
- Moisturize - Like a drink of water to your face, moisturizers help nourish and hydrate the skin. This is especially important for mature skin that may be drier and prone to wrinkles. Research shows that using a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, a core ingredient in Noble Panacea products, are effective at preventing wrinkles from forming or becoming more pronounced. Also, staying well hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day provides your body—and your skin—moisture from the inside out.
- Practice a Regular Skincare Ritual - A custom-fit regime based on a person’s individual skin goals, skin type, and preference should be consistently utilized on a daily basis to achieve desired results as well as maintain youthful, healthy skin. Always cleanse and remove makeup both morning and evening as the first step. Next, always apply a regular serum, moisturizer, sun protection, targeted treatment products designed to address skin concerns, as well as a nourishing night cream before bedtime. Need advice on finding your perfect skincare ritual? Contact our Noble Panacea Skincare Concierge for tips and recommendations.
- Wear Regular SPF - Wear sunscreen as part of your daily beauty ritual. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF or higher and ensure the label says “broad spectrum,” which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. “Keep in mind that 80% of the sun’s UV rays come through the clouds so even on a cloudy day one needs to protect their skin from ultraviolet damage,” advises Dr. Chapas.
- Avoid Tanning - “There is no such thing as a healthy tan. Anytime one tan’s their skin, either indoor or outdoor, the body tries to protect itself from that damage by producing melanin. While melanin may look golden-brown, over time it reveals that the skin is becoming more and more damaged from sun exposure,” explains Dr. Chapas. Long-term effects of tanning include hyperpigmentation, damage to collagen and elastin which leads to a loss of skin volume and wrinkles. When spending prolonged time outdoors, it’s recommended to wear a hat or a visor that blocks sun exposure from the face and neck.
- Favor Retinol - Derived from vitamin A, retinol is one of the most studied anti-aging active ingredients. Retinol has the ability to increase collagen production to help plump the skin, encourage cellular regeneration, and promote the creation of new blood vessels, all of which may help improve the skin’s overall appearance and texture. Look to skincare products with retinol to boost the skin’s cellular regenerative and reparative processes.
- Use Products with Antioxidants - Look to skincare products that contain multiple antioxidants such as grape leaf extract, resveratrol, green tea, and vitamins A, C, and E to protect your skin from free radicals and other environmental aggressors. These skincare products work in tandem with SPF to defend the skin against photoaging and oxidative stress.
- Use Products with Peptides - Peptides are made up of amino acids and are the building blocks of protein, which, in turn, are the building blocks of skin. Different peptides target different skin concerns and work in specific ways inherent to the skin’s function to address aging. Argireline smooths wrinkles and improves the overall skin texture. Tetrapeptides and tripeptides activate collagen production and stimulate reparative and renewal skin mechanisms.
- Sleep - The term “beauty sleep” is on point because sleep truly impacts physical appearance. The skin’s chronobiology, or intrinsic cellular reparative and regenerative cycle, begins around midnight—making it even more important to set an early bedtime. This intrinsic cycle starts with detoxifying the skin and then transitions to reparation and regeneration. Utilizing The Absolute Rejuvenation Night Balm or The Brilliant Overnight Recharge Cream that targets this chronobiology cycle boosts the natural skin healing function. Sleep also releases anti-inflammatory agents, which reduces the impact of skin damage that occurred during the day from environmental aggressors such as UV rays and pollution. Optimally regulated blood flow through facial vessels determines whether one wakes up radiant in the morning after a good night’s sleep versus pale and dull after compromised sleep. Lastly, sleep induces the body’s growth hormone which literally keeps one looking young through promoting muscle tone and collagen
- Diet - Stick to a balanced, healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein to ensure adequate antioxidants to help prevent and protect the skin against free radical and sun damage. Food and drinks with these qualities include (but are not limited to): green tea, olive oil, salmon, avocados, pomegranates, flax seeds, and vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin, leafy greens, bell peppers, and broccoli. Avoid eating processed foods. They tend to be high in sugar and salt content that negatively affects the skin as well as potentially lead to serious health conditions.
- Drink Water - Drink about 1.5 L to keep your skin healthy and hydrated from the inside out. Further, it aids the skin in detoxifying, flushing all the unwanted toxins out of the body. Studies have shown that higher water intake may positively affect skin physiology, from enhancing overall skin texture and diminishing the appearance of wrinkles.
- Exercise Regularly - Exercise boosts overall circulation required for cellular healing. Once the blood is pumping, skin-nourishing nutrients are more readily carried through the bloodstream to reach skin cells at the exterior extremities of the body.
- Avoid Smoking & Second-Hand Smoke - Smoking tobacco is directly attributed to premature aging as it contains more than 4,000 chemicals that damage collagen and elastin as well as constricts micro-circulation. Regular smoking results in visible signs of aging such as wrinkles, sagging skin, and a dull complexion.
