Do anti-ageing creams really work? This is a loaded question as it depends on many factors. Did you know that we all experience intrinsic ageing and extrinsic ageing? Intrinsic ageing is based on your genes. This only contributes up to 35% of y
our skins natural ageing. The remaining 65% of what affects how your skin ages is extrinsic, which means it is due to external factors. This is great news as it means that we have more that is within our control! We therefore need to consider the following factors:
-Your lifestyle. Do you drink past your 14 units a week recommended limit? Do you smoke? Do you live in a polluted area? Are you very stressed? Do you experience lack of sleep regularly? Are you eating a healthy, balanced diet and enhancing this by taking vitamin supplements? If you answered “ Yes” to any of these questions then this could make an impact on how effective your anti-ageing regime could be. That’s not to say it won’t be effective at all, but this needs to be taken into consideration when it comes to managing your expectations on your results.
Other factors to consider would be about the actual product/s such as the following:
Which cream (or serum) are you using?
What are its ingredients and what are its “active” ingredients (active= ingredients that are stronger and more powerful and are the key ingredients in the product that get the results. Some active ingredient examples are Vitamin A such as Retinal Palmitate, retinol; AHAs/BHAs; vitamin C and peptides
Where did you purchase this product from and how easily is this product to source without a consultation
What is the activity/ percentage of the active ingredients (this information won’t always be shared but if you are purchasing this easily online or from the high street then it is not likely to be very active)
How is this product packaged and how is this protecting the active ingredients from external elements that could degrade the product and the active ingredients
Are you using a medical grade cleanser? And are you removing your make-up effectively? This is an important step in your skincare regime that is often underrated. This important step works to remove impurities on your skin that could inhibit the active ingredients from penetrating into your skin effectively
A very important step - Are you protecting your skin and the active ingredients from UVA and UVB degradation by wearing a broad spectrum SPF every single day
And lastly, have you had an in-depth skin consultation with a skin professional that has assessed your skin and lifestyle needs and chosen this product or regime for you, or have you self selected.
When it comes to looking for your new best friend (anti ageing products), here are some key factors to look for:
This product is not easily sourced online without a consultation and not on the high street where you can self select.
The cream/serum is “Medical grade”- meaning this product contains active ingredients that are clinically trialled and formulated to contain corrective formulas/percentages/international units (measuring method) that have been proven to create a physical difference to the cells found deeper within the Epidermis (top layers of the skin). The measuring method (percentage or international units) is not usually shared with the public however the brand or skin professionals working with the brand will share this unique selling point
Exclusively retailed through skin care professionals/skin clinics who have done extensive training on skin health and skincare and a consultation is needed to purchase the products
A “step up system” is a great way to introduce your skin to active ingredients such as Vitamin A (the family retinol is from) so that your skin can start a more comfortable journ
ey with the active ingredients. A step-up system is where you start on a lower concentration of the vitamin A product and, as your skin becomes acclimated to that lower concentration, your skin professional will work with you to then move on to a stronger version. An example would be Environ Skin Care's Step-Up system in their Skin Essentia range or Youth Essentia range, or AlumierMD’s Retinol range.
Products that are results driven and led by science with a proven track record
Having a consultation is key so that the skin professional can create a bespoke treatment plan for you that is tailored to your lifestyle, your skin type, your skin condition and to discuss with them a routine to get you started that will suit your budget.
Having advanced facial treatments that compliment your new skin care routine is an even better way to enhance your results and take care of your skin
Another important factor to stress is how important it is to wear a broad spectrum sun protection every single day, even if you don't leave the house, as this is going to protect those active ingredients as well as protect your skin from degrading from the UVA/UVB rays (more on this in a later blog). Also, this needs to be a product that is separate to your moisturiser and separate to your make up.
To sum up, there is a lot to think about when it comes to using an effective anti ageing product, and these factors are usually taken care of when you consult a skin care professional who specialises in this area and can take the guesswork out for you.
If you are not sure where to start or would like to update your current routine, then get in touch with me via my email address info@proteaskinandbeauty.co.uk and we can get you started on your new anti-ageing journey with a skin consultation.
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