Give Mature Skin Some Extra TLC with Effective Skincare Ingredients
Skincare is complicated, to say the least. There are certain ingredients that don’t pair well together, others that aren’t suitable for certain skin types, and others you can only use during the day or at night. And when you’re no longer a spring chicken, your options become even more limited. The best thing for aging skin? That’s a loaded question.
Leaving complexities aside, let’s get into the basics with a simple list of proven ingredients to keep your skin cells in prime health.
If you talk to anyone at any age, they’ll tell you the simple act of wearing sunscreen will take years off your life (well, at least signs of it). One of the easiest and most effective habits you can implement into your daily routine is applying broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day. Yes, if there’s sunscreen in your skincare, consider it among the best ingredients for wrinkles.
Sunscreen used to be a tropical smell you’d associate with a white cast during the summer, but in recent years, the SPF category has taken off in a major way, elevating itself in some cases to a prestige tier. Glamorous or not, without sunscreen, any of the other skincare you use will be counteracted by the damage from UV light exposure.
Sunscreen not only protects the DNA in your skin from UV damage, but it gives your skin cells a chance to rest and regenerate, which helps diminish the development of wrinkles and uneven skin tone. A daily SPF is crucial to keep skin healthy and radiant. The YSE Beauty Skin Glow SPF 30 Primer is a perfect option.
In addition to SPF, Vitamin C is high on the list of best anti-aging ingredients. It’s a potent antioxidant shown to work well with sunscreen to protect the skin from UV and free-radical damage. It also helps build collagen, and can help superficial skin cells deal with hyperpigmentation.
Collagen, which occurs naturally in the human body, is an important substance for maintaining the skin's firm, bouncy appearance—but it decreases as you age. This is when it’s Vitamin C to the rescue! Incorporating a daily Vitamin C serum into your routine not only protects your skin from UV-related collagen loss, but also helps stimulate collagen production.
When it comes to this all-star ingredient, you’ll want to go big or go home. The YSE Beauty Morning Cocktail Vitamin C Serum has not one, not two, but three forms of stabilized Vitamin C in one product.
If you’re sold on Vitamin C, just wait till you hear about retinoids. Retinoids are Vitamin A-derived molecules that work deep to help with collagen remodeling. They also work on the skin’s surface to increase cell turnover and improve discoloration and uneven skin tone.
Think of retinoids as a family—with over-the-counter retinol and prescription tretinoin as members. Retinol, for example, is a powerhouse ingredient that works to stimulate cell turnover and increase our skin’s natural collagen production in the epidermis and dermis.
Retinol is a game-changer, but it doesn’t come without caution. It’s important to find a retinol that incorporates antioxidants and soothing ingredients that strengthen the moisture barrier because otherwise you could be left with noticeably dry, peeling skin. You’ll want to prevent potential irritation or moisture loss from occurring. The YSE Beauty Last Call Retinol Serum puts the ingredient hard at work, while ensuring the skin is protected in the process.
Consider ceramides the security guards to your skin! These crucial must-haves protect your skin barrier, keeping the good stuff in and the bad stuff out. When you get a sunburn, for example, your skin barrier becomes compromised, and these lipids are required to nurse your outer layer back to health and seal moisture into the skin. Unlike many other ingredients on the market, ceramides aren’t known to have any drawbacks or promote allergic reactions. Much like real-life security guards, these guys are totally on your side!
When it comes to the best ingredients for anti-aging, niacinamide needs to be added to your list ASAP! Highly effective and suitable for all skin types, this all-star ingredient targets redness and irritation, along with conditions including rosacea. The derivative of Vitamin B3 helps calm inflamed skin, while brightening and targeting unwanted pigmentation. Looking to dive into niacinamide? Our power-packed Morning Cocktail Vitamin C Serum is a great place to start!
Azelaic acid is a powerhouse at any age, thanks to targeting redness, swelling and bumps on the skin. The organic compound found in rye, barley and wheat contains soothing and antimicrobial properties. But it’s beneficial to mature skin in particular, due to its ability to promote skin cell turnover. Increased cell production helps kiss dead skin cells goodbye, which is necessary to unblock pores.
Essentially, this creates an exfoliation type of effect. This gentle exfoliation of the skin can lead to less breakouts. When applied, azelaic acid penetrates the outer layer of the skin, breaking up pimple-causing blockages. These blockages include things like residual cosmetics, oil and dirt.
And it doesn’t end there for this underrated all-star. Scientific studies have also shown that azelaic acid is effective against certain strains of bacteria like P acnes, which is thought to cause spots. Azelaic acid may also have a brightening effect on your skin, which could help even out any darker areas. Scientists have understood for a while that azelaic acid has free-radical-fighting properties, as well as the enzyme tyrosinase, which is needed to produce melanin.
There’s nothing glamorous about the words “fatty acids,” but boy are they important for your skin. They decrease transepidermal water loss (TEWL), they’re antimicrobial and they’re anti-inflammatory. Combined with sebum and ceramides, fatty acids are the mortar to your skin barrier’s brick wall. Anti aging ingredients in skincare must support the barrier for a smooth, hydrated result. Essential fatty acids help form an antibacterial, water-resistant barrier, which is basically how our skin protects itself from infection.
Research shows that applying plant oils (ie. sunflower oil) containing high amounts of essential fatty acids may help repair the barrier in patients who have a history of essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency. And, a 2005 study published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics found that topical omega-3 can reduce UV sensitivity in skin cells. Other studies have found similar links between topical omega-3 and a reduction in the signs of photoaging. Said research also suggests products rich in omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids can actually improve the look and feel of your skin.
If you struggle with chronically dry, flaky skin, using oils or serums that contain omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acids will enhance the natural glow of your skin.
