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We may not be able to slow down aging, but skincare technology today definitely allows us to slow down signs of aging.

There are multiple skincare products and procedures that help with wrinkles, minimizing its appearance and slowing down its development. Here’s a breakdown of some of the things you can do:

SPF 

Prevention is always better than correction. Sunscreen will help prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging. 

A sunscreen with at least 30 SPF protection that fights against UVAs and UVBs is recommended. 

If you’re spending time and money on special anti-aging creams, treatments and serums but don’t apply sunscreen, all of those will be useless! 

Antioxidants 

Antioxidants (vitamin C serums, glycolic acid, lactic acid, etc) will protect your skin from environmental damages caused by free radicals. 

Because free radicals are highly linked to aging, using products that protect your skin from free radicals will help with wrinkles and development of fine lines. 

Antioxidants can be found and bought over-the-counter, so it’s never been easier to get.

Retinoids

Retinoids are perfect for prevention and maintaining a youthful look. Retinoids help your skin produce more collagen which are responsible for skin elasticity and hydration allowing your skin to look supple. 

Retinoids also help stimulate the production of new blood vessels, improving skin complexion. 


Direct Skin Procedures 

If you’re past home remedies and prevention and want to take it to the next level, skin direct treatments are effective in preventing wrinkles:

• Botox: Reduces fine lines and wrinkles, relaxing facial muscles softening fine lines and lifting the skin. 
• Laser skin resurfacing: Precisely removes the outer layer of the skin, reducing fine lines and irregularities. 
• Fillers: Fillers often consist of Hyaluronic Acid that fill in hollows, lines, and wrinkles.

I think we both know that watching a lot of TV and scrolling on your phone for hours could be damaging to our eyes, but can it impact our skin too?

Yes. Yes it can.

But how is that possible? It's due to something called Blue Light.

It sounds intimidating and honestly, almost sounds like it shouldn’t be applied on your face but trust me…it’s actually the opposite of harsh - it’s your face’s drink of choice! 

What it is:

Hyaluronic Acid is a sugar molecule that is naturally produced in our skin’s cells, specifically in our connective tissue, eyes and joints. But the production of Hyaluronic Acid in our bodies declines as we age, so applying skincare products that have hyaluronic acid becomes more important as we get older.

What it does: 

1. Helps with signs of aging - Hyaluronic Acid is a hydrating component, it attracts water and this helps our skin look fresh, glowy and youthful. Hydrating the outer layers of our skin, minimizing signs of aging.
    
2. Helps with moisture - because Hyaluronic Acid acts as a humectant, it traps water against our skin surface giving it a plump, supple look.
   
   
3. Helps with elasticity  - Hyaluronic Acid promotes firmness, making your skin look tighter and toned! Over time, the more you apply Hyaluronic Acid the more your skin will retain its youthful look and reduce signs of skin stretching.
   
   
4. Helps with inflammation scars - if you’ve experienced irritation, injuries and patchiness, applying Hyaluronic Acid will help soothe your skin, repairing those damages.
   
   
5. Helps with complexion - Hyaluronic acids help your skin look vibrant. This fights through dull complexion, combating the negative effects of pollutants, dirt, free radicals and sun damage. 

How to apply:

After cleansing, leave your face damp when applying Hyaluronic Acid. Follow with your treatment serums and moisturizer. 

Although it is an acid, don’t be intimidated. This ingredient is well tolerated by all skin types and rarely causes any adverse effects. Happy Hydrating!

Serum this, serum that – it gets confusing, I know. With skincare popping onto the scene and different serums, oils, and creams being thrown at you it’s hard to know what’s what. But don’t worry, I’m here to help! Let’s start with Retinol.

Retinol brings countless benefits to your skin, which is why you’ll find retinoids on the ingredients list of some of the biggest products. So why are people hyping up this acid so much?

Retinol Can Clear Acne and Scarring

I know, this incredible feat sounds like a superpower to some, but it’s true! Retinol can unclog those pesky pores, getting deep into the skin which can prevent future breakouts. Retinol works as a chemical exfoliant, getting rid of old and dead skin cells from the surface. When this occurs, fresher, more youthful skin is left exposed, leaving you with a face smoother than a baby’s bottom.

Retinol Can Fight Signs of Aging

On top of acting as an exfoliant, retinol also aids in increasing your skins collagen levels. Now I know what you’re thinking – what on earth is collagen?? Collagen is the main protein found in your skin as well as other tissues. It’s responsible for your skin’s structure, texture, and elasticity to name a few. When we use retinol to increase collagen levels, our skin is able to “bounce back” and absorb moisture more efficiently. Those wrinkles along your forehead will say sayonara in no time.

How do I use it?

With these benefits and more, you might be thinking retinol is the “golden” ingredient in your journey to skin health. While this can be true, there are risks involved.

To start off, you should only use retinol products at night. Because retinol brings fresh skin cells to the party, your skin becomes extra sensitive to light after use. In order to avoid unwanted sun and light damage, it’s best to apply these products once the sun has set for the day.

Additionally, as with any new product, always do a patch test and ease your skin into it. Don’t go from 0-100 with retinol treatments in hopes of fresh, clear skin. Retinol is an acid at its core, which can lead to visible signs of irritation. Instead, begin using retinol 1-2 times a week while your skin adjusts. Eventually, you’ll be able to increase this frequency to as much as 3-4 times a week.

Stress is mentally tiring and of course, physically too. Stress makes us tired, groggy, grumpy, and even anxious. Stress affects us in so many ways and it can also show up on our face.

Actually, for people of colour, it can show easily.

The #1 thing you can do for the health of your skin is slathering on sunscreen everyday, throughout the day, all year...rain or shine.

Here’s what sunscreen does:

Let’s get to know what pores are. They are the small openings that surround our skin, it acts as a tunnel for releasing oils and sweat. So, when excess oil and sweat are produced, they come through your pores and onto your skin. 

Why do pores get clogged?

Are you a Person of Colour (POC)? Those of us who have higher levels of melanin are lucky, why? Well, because you and I don’t have to worry about getting sunburns easily, but that doesn’t mean we can’t.

It is recommended that everyone - black, white, brown, purple green, rainbow - wear sunscreen. It will protect us from sun damage and not to mention, premature aging. No thanks, wrinkles.