Anti-Aging Field Guide: No BS
Aging is a natural process that happens to all of us – even those that devote their lives to healthy eating habits, a rigid workout schedule, and a good skincare routine. While you can’t eliminate aging from happening altogether, you can reverse signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. You can also prevent your skin from succumbing to these skin concerns.
The secret is getting started asap.
Up until your 30s, your cells turn over every 28 days, creating a fresh layer of radiant skin. Once you hit your mid-30s, your cell regeneration slows down to almost half the amount. As a result, slower cell regeneration can cause your skin to look dull, dry, and wrinkled.
The best way to deal with aging skin is to understand what it needs. In other words, it’s time to figure out what ingredients you should look for in your skincare products and what habits to adopt for a youthful, pristine complexion.
- Start Wearing Hats
When it comes to sun protection, wearing a hat is one of the easiest and most convenient tools to block harmful UV rays that contribute to skin aging.
Ideally, you’ll want to look for a floppy kind of hat. According to dermatologist Libby Rhee, “Wide-brimmed hats are particularly beneficial because they can provide 360-degree protection from the sun.”
Opt for a hat that has at least a three-inch brim.
“This size ensures that your ears, neck, nose, and rest of your face are adequately shaded,” says Dr. Rhee. “As a general rule, if you can see through the material—such as with linen, silk, or a loose basket weave—most of the UV rays will get through the hat and onto your skin despite wearing a hat.”
A great choice would be Truly’s soft, fluffy bucket hat. Wear it with some SPF for optimal protection.
- Make Room in Your Routine for Retinol
Retinol, aka vitamin A, is prized for its proven anti-aging results.
“Retinol signals your body to produce collagen and new cells for firmer and smoother skin, while also reducing hyperpigmentation and clogged pores,” says New York City dermatologist Dr. Anne Chapas.
In order to see a difference in your skin, experts recommend starting with a low-strength retinol (around 0.01% to 0.03%) and then gradually working your way up to a stronger formula. However, if you have sensitive skin, we don’t advise going much higher than 0.03%, as retinol could be too irritating for your complexion.
If you’re experiencing concerns like visible loss of elasticity or uneven skin tone, incorporate more potent products into your routine, such as 0.1%. Start by using it 3-4 times a week and see how your skin responds. You can then start applying it daily.
As for those with stubborn skin concerns like pronounced lines, consider a high percentage retinol serum such as 0.3% or 1%.
For an intense retinol serum treatment, go for Truly’s Purple Rain Facial Oil made with 0.8% retinol.
- Switch Animal-Based Collagen for Vegan Collagen
Vegan collagen is an excellent ingredient for bringing the youth back to your complexion. In fact, while traditional (animal-based) collagen is a famous skincare ingredient deemed effective in boosting elasticity in the skin, vegan collagen works way better. That’s because plant-based collagen is made up of smaller molecules which penetrate the skin better than animal-derived collagen.
For best results, opt for skincare products that contain at least 0.8% vegan collagen. Optimally, look for one that goes up to 1%. Choosing a higher percentage will deliver more visible results than going to low. Saying that, it’s worth starting low and then gradually going higher so your skin can adjust to the new ingredient.
Get Truly’s Vegan Collagen Bundle. All products inside are formulated with between 0.5% and 1% vegan collagen to give you the skin-resetting results you’re hoping for.
- Catch Up On Your Beauty Sleep
Sleep is an often-overlooked anti-aging staple. But if you’re not getting enough Zzzz, you’ll instantly see your glow fading away. Plus, fatigue causes cortisol (the stress hormone) to skyrocket, resulting in the breakdown of collagen in the skin. It’s funny how people can spend hundreds of dollars on so-called anti-aging skincare elixirs and yet, what they actually need to be doing is sleeping more.
“The one thing that seems to ring true for everyone is to pick a bedtime, and then an hour beforehand, no more BlackBerry-ing, e-mailing, or TV news,” says dermatologist Amy Wechsler, M.D. “Instead, read a novel, watch something funny on TV, or have sex.” Cortisol is at its lowest when you’re doing any of the above things.
Enhance your slumber by investing in a few sleep essentials to help you wind down every evening, like Truly’s Satin Sleep Set and Moon Shower Adaptogen Spa Mist.
- Stay Consistent with Your Routine
Nothing matters if you’re not consistent.
How many times have you splurged on a 3-digit skincare cream or serum only to give up using it two days in believing it doesn’t work? That’s not uncommon. Many people expect instant results and when they don’t see the desired results after a couple of days, they get fed up and move on to the next product. The problem with this is that you never give the product a chance to work. Experts say it’ll take at least 30 days of consistent use for noticeable results. Other ingredients may take a bit longer to work.
“If you’re using something like vitamin C or retinol, that means a change on a cellular level, so expect to wait at least three months to see a benefit,” says cosmetic doctor Dr. David Jack.
So unless you have a terrible allergic breakout to your new $200 serum, stick to it and believe us, it’ll pay off.
Anti-aging in skincare can be a complicated field. But once you know your go-to ingredients and how to prevent fine lines and wrinkles from occurring in the first place, you can look forward to a future of radiant, youthful skin.
Get our newest bundle: Anti-Aging Face + Body Kit here.
