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Aging may be a natural part of life, but that doesn’t necessarily mean your skin has to age with you. Fine lines and wrinkles are two of the most common skincare concerns as people grow older, and whether they’re something you already struggle with or are merely something you wish to prevent, there are tricks that skincare experts swear by to minimize signs of aging across your face. Below, we rounded up the top hacks from dermatologists and skincare experts to treat and prevent fine lines and wrinkles and ensure flawless skin at any age.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Hydration is important for a number of reasons, but it’s especially useful in preventing wrinkles. Dry, parched skin will appear duller and show signs of aging more clearly, so keeping hydrated will help to illuminate you from the inside out. Dr. Renee Moran explains, “Keep your skin hydrated. Drink plenty of water and use a moisturizer that contains Hyaluronic Acid. A Vitamin C serum will also help with hydration AND stimulate the production of collagen.”
SPF Is Key
The sun can do more damage to the surface of your skin than you can imagine, so protecting against the harsh rays with a broad spectrum sunscreen is one of the best things you can do to combat signs of aging. The Laser Skin Center’s Dr. Sara Hogan says, “Excessive UV exposure and smoking increases the amount of free radicals and DNA damage to skin cells. This results in decreased skin cell turnover and loss of collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkle formation. Broad spectrum sunscreens minimize the amount of UVA and UVB rays that can damage the skin.”
Not sure which sunscreen to choose? Hogan explains, “Sunscreens come in two main forms: (1) physical sunscreens like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that work as a shield to deflect UVA and UVB rays, and (2) chemical sunscreens such as oxybenzone, avobenzone and octisalate that work as a sponge to absorb the UVA and UVB rays.” Whichever option you choose, your skin will benefit from the protection and be less likely to form wrinkles over time.
Collagen For The Win
Collagen is one of the primary proteins that your skin produces to preserve elasticity and firmness in your skin. However, as you age, collagen production will naturally decrease, so a supplement can be beneficial for a boost. Moran suggests a supplement to support collagen production which will result in firmer skin that appears more hydrated and less likely to show wrinkles.
Retinol
Retinol, otherwise known as Vitamin A, works within the body to enhance collagen production, firming the skin. Aesthetician Alison Angold, explains “Retinol not only stimulates the production of collagen in the skin - which prevents the appearance of wrinkles, but it encourages the skin cells in the lower layers to divide more readily and migrate to the surface much quicker, thus bringing brighter fresher cells to the surface.” There are a number of serums and topical creams which can rejuvenate the skin with retinol, so if you’re fighting against deep wrinkles or are hoping to prevent the onset of your first ones, this will be an important addition to your skincare lineup.
