Marilyn Harder We previously explored doubling the process of our skincare routine as a daily meditation for self-reflection, connection, and mental/emotional clearing.
When you take time and care for yourself, your brain releases oxytocin into your body stimulating feelings of love and connection. Studies have shown that oxytocin plays an important and dynamic role in bonding. When released in your brain during certain types of human contact (such as massaging your own skin in moisturizer application), it has the effect of bonding you to the other person involved.
Following the skincare meditation, you are gazing in the mirror and relaying love and appreciative thoughts to yourself; you are bonding with your deep true self below the ego layer of self. In this action, you marry the conscious with the subconscious mind into an agreement that you are both loved and worthy of your own time. And this becomes more important as we age and our appearance changes in the mirror in front of us.
There is so much stigma around aging skin! We are taught through media, print, TV, and movies to judge and devalue ourselves as our bodies change and age. Marketing has traditionally targeted our insecurities to fight and resist this change. I say – to the heck with that!!!
We ARE SUPPOSED to age! Our skin and muscles WILL change. We shouldn’t fight it or loath it, we should embrace it!
Our skin is also our largest organ! We can lovingly care for it AND lovingly accept it in all phases of life.
Think of skincare like gardening- you are caring for your skin in the seasons of life in order to get the most out of the longevity of elasticity, texture and quality of our skin, not as an act of rejection but as an act of love.
What exactly does Anti-aging do for my skin? And when do I start reaching for anti-aging products? Is there a magic age?
Marketing and packaging are both designed to entice you to buy, but education and understanding what your skin needs will take you much further. You may feel overwhelmed by what is available on the market. “Anti-aging” really defines any product that slows down the breakdown of collagen in the skin, protects from free radical damage from the sun or environment, and encourages hydration thus minimizing fine lines and wrinkles associated with aging skin.
Wear Sunscreen!
Most of us began using the MOST beneficial anti-aging product in our first year of life… Sunscreen! It is the most important anti-aging tool in your arsenal as the exposure to UV to our skin speeds up the natural aging process. Continual unprotected exposure to UV light is the number 1 cause of wrinkles and rough, blotchy uneven pigmentation. Most dermatologists recommend wearing a product with SPF 30 year-round either in our moisturizer, foundation, or as its own layer or a stand-alone product.
When choosing other anti-aging products, the most important thing, hands down, is to avoid the top toxic chemicals in common care products. These chemical compounds can lead to toxic build-up, free radical damage, and more. Learn more about these here.
What do anti-aging ingredients do?
Anti-aging products can slow down the aging process by stimulating collagen production, fighting oxidizing agents that damage DNA, and promoting skin peptide production which together enhances elasticity, minimize pores/texture and promote fresh, hydrated skin. Your skin can begin to break down at any age. It is never too early to start using anti-aging products although most dermatologists recommend the late 20’s/early 30’s as an ideal age to start incorporating the following ingredients into your skincare routine:
Hyaluronic Acid
A natural sugar molecule that occurs in our body and helps to attract water, so it functions as a great moisturizer. However, it is easy to overdo this compound – ensure that it is not added in each of your care products. It works best in a toner right before your serum. Your serum is the heavy lifter of your skincare routine and can make the biggest impact on overall texture and quality – hyaluronic will improve the absorption and effectiveness of the serum.
Glycolic Acid
It exfoliates skin to help with skin texture and pore size
Peptides
They aid in wound healing and minimizing the look of wrinkles. Targeted areas respond well to peptides so look for this ingredient in an eye cream. Eye creams can be used on deeper wrinkles in other areas of the face as well to decrease depth and appearance over time.
Vitamin C
Is a potent antioxidant ingredient. It works very well in combination with vitamin E and ferulic acid to protect against free radical damage which can cause skin cancers and collagen breakdown leading to fine lines. Look for vitamin C in serums and moisturizers.
Derivatives of vitamin A
The gold standard when it comes to anti-aging ingredients. This ingredient has been shown to help promote skin turnover, which brings new skin cells to the surface and promotes collagen production, preventing the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.
Does Price matter?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Check the ingredients for toxic fillers in lower-priced products to ensure there are no ingredients you do not understand. Simple/pure products tend to fare better with those that have sensitive skin.
Higher priced products are generally processed to enhance molecular absorption. The smaller molecular composition and combination of multiple complementary ingredients enhance the absorption and action and thus the hydration and elasticity are all improved.
No matter what you choose to use, do it with a heart of love. Choose with a heart of self-worth and know that you are worthy of feeling healthy, well, and confident in the skin you are in!
