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Aging is inevitable, but luckily there are ways to manage and slow down signs of aging. When curating a skin care routine targeted to reduce premature skin aging or take care of mature skin, it’s important to look for skin care products with the right ingredients. Look for hydrating ingredients that make skin appear more plump, or ingredients that gently exfoliate skin and boost skin cell turnover.
Here are some of the best skin care ingredients to look out for that should be a part of your daily regimen:
As we age, our skin starts to feel drier due to a decrease in collagen, which affects skin elasticity. One way to keep skin supple and youthful-looking is by keeping skin hydrated. As soon as you hit the age of 25, start prioritizing hydration in your skin care routine. Look for hyaluronic acid in products, such as essences, serums or moisturizers. Using a hydrating skin care ingredient like hyaluronic acid keeps skin plump and can soften the appearance of fine lines.
Snail secretion filtrate, also known as snail mucin, is a popular ingredient in K-Beauty products. In addition to its hydrating benefits, snail mucin boosts collagen production, repairs the skin barrier, soothes skin and offers anti-aging benefits. This skin care ingredient is perfect for those in their early 20s or those looking to start an anti-aging skin care routine. Snail mucin is a gentle ingredient, which makes it suitable for sensitive skin.
Free radical damage is one of the most common causes of aging as it breaks down the skin’s collagen, resulting in a loss of skin elasticity. To protect your skin from the effects of free radicals, use a Vitamin C serum in your morning skin care routine. A powerful antioxidant, Vitamin C is a great ingredient that fights free radical damage to prevent wrinkles, and hydrates and brightens skin. To maximize your daily sun protection, pair your Vitamin C serum with sunscreen.
Another great antioxidant is green tea. This ingredient offers both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, soothes irritation and most importantly, slows down the skin’s aging process. Look for skin care products formulated with green tea extract like Beauty of Joseon’s Calming Serum or Benton’s Deep Green Tea Serum. Your skin can get the most out of a green tea-infused product when used during the day since it’s effective in protecting skin against free radicals.
Our skin barrier weakens as we age, so it’s important to protect it as much as we can. Using skin care products formulated with niacinamide can help keep your skin barrier intact and healthy. No matter the skin type, your skin may be more prone to dryness, spots, redness or inflammation. Incorporating niacinamide products into your skin care routine not only protects your skin barrier, but also promotes collagen production, treats hyperpigmentation and improves the appearance of fine lines.
If your fine lines or wrinkles are much deeper and harder to treat, then you should give retinol a go. Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is an effective ingredient that minimizes fine lines and wrinkles by increasing your skin cell turnover, which also promotes collagen production.
If you’re not quite ready for retinol yet or your skin is sensitive, opt for products with bakuchiol. This plant-based alternative to retinol also fights signs of aging and protects skin from environmental stressors. It’s important to always apply sunscreen when using retinol as this ingredient causes your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight. Bakuchiol isn’t known to make skin more sensitive to the sun, but that doesn’t mean you should skip on SPF!
Retinol or bakuchiol products:
