10 Best Anti-Aging Skin Care Tips From Dermatologists

fvLet’s get one thing straight: aging is inevitable. You cannot prevent aging and it happens to everyone. However, with the right skin care products, tools, and lifestyle habits, you can promote healthy, natural aging. “The key is being proactive and consistent,” says Dr. Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology. “Sun protection, your skin care routine, and seeing your dermatologist regularly will be essential to prevent premature aging.”

And since treating fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, hyperpigmentation, and other forms of aging starts long before you develop them, it’s especially important to have all the information on the products you are using. After all, preventative skin care measures are paramount in combating hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles.

By now you probably have a few things in your routine: sunscreen protection, face washing, and proper hydration, but what other tips and tricks go unnoticed that could help to prevent premature aging? Did you know ingredients like vitamin C, retinol, and other actives can help boost your skin’s overall health and improve its elasticity and fullness?

Because there are new product launches every hour and too much non-professional advice floating around the Internet, below, TZR rounded up the 10 best dermatologist-approved tips and tricks to try for your best-looking skin yet. Plus, the experts even drop some of their favorite products for a full DIY anti-aging routine.

Whatever You Do, Wash Your Face

Hopefully this has become second nature to you, but if you don’t believe in a multiple step skin care routine, at the very least you should be washing your face twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. All the experts encourage twice a day but especially in the evening to rid the face of makeup, dirt, oil, debris and pollution (common culprits of aging) that accumulated throughout the day.

According to Dr. Ramirez Garcia, lead dermatologist for Nava MD™, leaving your makeup on can not only clog pores and cause breakout, but block the skin’s natural repair process as well – leading to dull, rough, and weathered-looking skin. When selecting a cleanser, Dr. Garcia advises on one free of sulfates and detergents that could disrupt your skin’s delicate moisture balance. Her favorite one: Nava MD™ Daily Cleanser, packed with songyi mushroom and brown algae extract that work together to brighten, soothe, and hydrate the skin.

Moisturize Daily

“Dry skin tends to appear older than hydrated skin,” Dr. Hartman continues. By using a moisturizer twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, you will keep dry skin at bay. Dr. Hartman recommends a moisturizer with proven hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides. “Hyaluronic acid protects the skin’s natural moisture, supporting the skin barrier and making it more resilient to the drying and damaging effects of the environment,” Dr. Simran Sethi, MD, MBA founder of RenewMD Beauty & Wellness tells TZR.

For extra hydration, look for a formula containing tretinoin. “Tretinoin is a topical vitamin A derivative that’s been clinically proven to help delay and diminish the appearance of fine lines, brown spots, and other signs of aging,” Dr. Garcia tells TZR. The hero ingredient accelerates the process of replacing dull, dead skin cells with new, fresh cells.

Apply Skin Care Products In An Upward Motion

“Aging skin tends to droop, and any tugging at the skin downward can accelerate droopy skin,” Dr. Hartman tells TZR. By applying your skin care products upwards you will work against gravity and improve elasticity to prevent premature aging.

Pay Attention To The Under-Eye Area

Dr. Sethi encourages all her clients to focus on strengthening the skin barrier so that skin is more resilient to inflammation, which can cause uneven complexion and wrinkles. “Always apply a separate serum for your eyes as the skin around your eyes is the thinnest and first to show signs of aging.”

Exfoliate Weekly

When you exfoliate weekly (or up to 3 times a week) you will slough away the dead, dull skin cells and reveal brighter, new skin underneath. Exfoliating also increases cellular turnover while softening and preventing fine lines and wrinkles.

Don’t Forget About Your Neck

To keep up with your youthful-appearance goals, make sure to drag product from your face to your neck, chest, and hands. These three areas are just as impacted by environmental stressors and sun damage as the skin on the face. And because the neck and chest have thinner skin, they are more sensitive to rapid decrease of collagen – affecting the skin’s overall elasticity.

Sunscreen Is Your Best Friend

According to Dr. Hartman, sun exposure is the leading cause of premature skin aging – making daily sunscreen application a main focus in every routine. “Ultraviolet A-rays (UVA) are aging rays,” says Dr. Hartman. “They cause signs of aging like sun spots, wrinkles and fine lines.” Ultraviolet B-rays (UVB) burn the skin and give it a red, raw appearance – also leading to aging. In terms of what SPF to look for, the expert recommends at least SPF 30 for your face, and reapplying every two hours. Make sure to look for formulas that don’t contain alcohol as this will dry out your skin. Dr. Hartman always recommends La Roche Posay Toleraine Double Repair Face Moisturizer with SPF and Supergoop! Daily Moisturizer SPF 40.

Apply Retinol At Night

One of the most powerful skin care ingredients out there, retinol will help speed up cell turnover on the skin – helping to remove dirt, oil, and debris that can clog the pores. According to Dr. Sethi, “our ability to renew skin decreases as we age and retinol accelerates this renewal process, making your skin renew and repair damage around the same rate as it did in your twenties.”

And Dr. Hartman agrees. “Retinol helps boost collagen production in the skin, making skin more supple and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” shares Dr. Hartman who recommends Paula’s choice 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment. Retinol is also a hero ingredient in reducing signs of sun damage like hyperpigmentation.

Fuel Your Body Properly

The old adage, ‘You are what you eat’ couldn’t be more true when it comes to aging. Aka, what you put in your body has a direct impact on how you look. Dr. Garcia suggests a diet high in dark leafy greens, berries and omega-3 fatty acids. And of course, plenty of water.

Drift To Dreamland

All the experts recommend at least seven hours of sleep each night. “Studies have shown that skin has a circadian rhythm and actively regenerates at night,” Dr. Sethi tells TZR. “A healthy amount of sleep is essential to promoting skin renewal and anti-aging.” As a bonus tip, Dr. Hartman also recommends sleeping on a satin pillowcase. “Your skin is less likely to be pulled when you roll around in your sleep on a satin pillowcase, compared to a cotton one.”

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