Skin
Anti-aging ingredients you need in your 20s, 30s and 40s
by Madhavi Irani
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February 12, 2019
Anti aging ingredients you need in your 20s, 30s and 40s - 1
How to keep your skin looking younger for longer
For most women anti-aging equals turning back the clock on laugh lines and crows’ feet. Actually that’s factually incorrect because anti-aging ingredients are preventative. This means that they delay the signs of aging rather than actually treat them. So, every savvy Nykaa girl starts an anti-aging regime as early as her 20s BEFORE wrinkles begin to form. And of course upgrades to other products through every decade. We spoke to dermatologists to get the lowdown on what ingredients should be incorporated into your skincare routine through the years.
In your 20s
Contrary to what you’ve heard about not needing a skin care regime in your 20s, did you know that once you reach your mid-20s, your skin starts producing less collagen? It’s the protein that keeps skin firm. The result: soft lines and sun spots, what dermatologists call “pre-aging.” While these early signs of aging won’t make you look older, it’s important to start practicing proper prevention to keep them that way. Dermatologist Dr. Jaishree Sharad says it’s advisable for girls in their late 20s to mid-30s to start using appropriate skin care to ward off skin aging. That doesn’t mean you should hoard every skin cream worth its formula. “Just add a product that sun protects, hydrates and evens out your skin tone,” she says.
Anti aging ingredients you need in your 20s, 30s and 40s - 2
Which ingredients are beneficial in your 20s?
Antioxidants
These repair damage caused by the sun exposure, pollution and stress by neutralizing skin aging free radicals and promote skin cell growth. Sun damage becomes more obvious as one gets older so it’s vital to treat and prevent sun damage in your early-mid 20s.
Retinols
“Retinol preparations repair skin by smoothing fine lines and fading dark spots,” says skin specialist Dr. Abhijit Desai. In fact, he says, that retinoids are the proven gold standard in anti-aging skin care because of their clinically proven benefits in treating uneven skin tone and regenerating collagen. However, retinoids can cause flare-ups on acne prone skin and make dry skin even drier. Therefore look for products with tiny concentrations of retinol, and a mix of Alpha Hydroxy Acid and antioxidants.
In your 30s
By the time your get to your 30, skin become noticeably drier and uneven due to sun exposure, and fine lines become even more noticeable making your complexion dull and listless. “This is the time to up your anti-aging regime,” says Dr. Sharad. To reverse these changes, you should start incorporating proven skin smoothers like retinol, peptides, niacinamide, and Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Some anti-aging ingredients can cause redness and flaking but that doesn’t mean you should stop using them. “Get your skin used to the ingredients gradually by using the ingredient every other day until the irritation subsides,” says Dr. Sharad, before shifting to daily application. Nutritionist Dr. Suman Agarwal says that diet too plays an important role in keeping skin younger. “There are many studies that suggest green, leafy vegetables, olive oil and fatty fish can ward off wrinkles and bring a glow to skin.”
Anti aging ingredients you need in your 20s, 30s and 40s - 3
Which ingredients are beneficial in your 30s?
Vitamins A and C
While choosing antioxidants opt for Vitamins A and C because they don’t just repair damage, they also brighten skin.
Peptides
“Peptides are proteins that promote skin cell growth to keep your complexion looking youthful,” says skin specialist and surgeon Dr. Dhimant Goleria. Peptide bonds hold collagen in skin together, so the more the peptides, the more the collagen.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide protects and repairs skin from damage by preventing the formation of dark spots. It also boosts the growth of collagen and makes skin look plumper by boosting its natural moisture barrier.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Found in citrus fruits, AHAs are natural skin exfoliators that remove surface dullness and blemishes to make your skin look instantly brighter and healthier. “Alpha Hydroxy Acids also boost the skin’s cellular turnover rate to fade dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Desai.
In your 40s
This is when you really need to boost the collagen in your skin so that it remains taut and youthful. It’s time to turn to the big guns because not only are you dealing with a loss of collagen but hormonal fluctuations as well which cause pigmentation and redness. “The trick is find products with multitasking ingredients that can tackle many problems at one go,” says Dr. Sharad. According to Dr. Desai, chemical peels especially tailored to your needs, are also a popular choice because they remove the top layer of skin cells and even out, tone and smooth texture.
Anti aging ingredients you need in your 20s, 30s and 40s - 4
Which ingredients are beneficial in your 40s?
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is crucial because it boosts collagen production and helps skin to maintain a healthy hydration level.
Topical retinoids
Retinols are clinically proven to boost collagen production so this is the one ingredient you should include in your skin care regime. For a higher prescription strength formula check with your dermatologist, otherwise use a specialist skin cream containing Retinol.