Fact or fiction: The 4 basic truths everyone needs to know about premature aging
Aging gets a bad rap, but the truth is, it’s actually great because it means you’re living life. But if you’re not ready to embrace those smile lines just yet, that’s OK, too. When it comes to getting older, you get to decide whether to let your aging process flow or make some lifestyle adjustments that can help prevent skin from aging prematurely. We asked skincare experts for their truths and tips.
Fact or fiction: Beauty rest is a lie.
Fiction. Simply put, sleep equals healthier skin. “Sleep doesn’t just make you feel refreshed. Your body actually goes through major healing processes and collagen formation while you are getting your rest,” says YouTube skinfluencer and esthetician Cassandra Bankson. “For optimal rest, try going to bed and waking up at a similar time every day, and sleep in a room with minimal lights or loud noise interruptions,” she adds.
Fact or fiction: You are what you eat.
Fact. If eyes are the window to your soul, skin is the reflection of what you eat. Dr. Susan Bard, a NYC-based, board-certified dermatologist, points to sugar as a culprit behind wrinkles and volume loss. “High-glycemic index diets (high in carbs and sugars) can directly bind to collagen and elastin and lead to damage over time,” Bard says.
Bankson agrees, noting that lifestyle factors like alcohol or a diet heavy in fried foods can cause an overproduction of free radicals in the body. “Free radicals occur naturally in the body. If there are too many, they can damage our skin’s DNA, which can cause premature pigmentation, dullness, fine lines and wrinkles.”
To help prevent premature aging, try dialing down processed foods and alcohol while consuming more antioxidant-rich foods (like garlic, eggplant, grapes, spinach, mangos and nuts).
Fact or fiction: You don’t need SPF when it’s cloudy out.
Fiction. No matter your skin type, you need to slather sun protection on every day, rain or shine. “The sun, the biggest skin ager, is always shining UV radiation upon us, even if it’s cold, cloudy or rainy out,” Bard says. “It is important to protect against these rays as sun exposure can lead to sun damage and DNA damage in our skin cells, and lead to collagen breakdown and dark spots or uneven skin tone.”
To help prevent skin from accelerated aging, Bard recommends “a face moisturizer with an SPF of 30 or higher or a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.” Amount matters just as much as application, too: Think the length of two fingers for your face, and one ounce for your body (the size of a shot glass). When it comes to choosing a mineral vs. chemical sunscreen, the choice is really yours. Concerns about chemical sunscreens shouldn’t stop you from lathering up but if you’d rather go mineral, and it’s easier than ever to find mineral options that melt comfortably (and invisibly) into all skin tones.
Fact or fiction: You can’t reverse previous damage to your skin.
Fiction. Feel like you missed the boat on skincare? Adopt this mantra: It’s never too late. “There are absolutely proven ingredients that can help correct signs of aging,” Bankson says. “First and foremost is vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant which combats those free radicals in the body and prevents damage. Vitamin C also helps to brighten and tighten the skin.”
Her additional tips on how to care for aging skin include two key ingredients: retinoids and hyaluronic acid. “Retinoids (are) one of the most potent anti-aging ingredients that we have. It helps the skin cells renew and plump themselves up so that you glow and wrinkles disappear,” Bankson says. “Everyone can benefit from adding a good hyaluronic acid to their skincare routine. Even those with oily skin need it to help with hydration.”
Skin aging is undeniable but how you choose to handle the aging process is completely up to you. Invest in the right skincare products suited for your skin type early on, and your skin will thank you later.
