Turn back the clock on your aging skin with these dermatologist-recommended tips

Skin that glows from within is considered healthy. But with age and time, your skin is likely to lose its glow. Wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation and dark spots seem to take over your skin and keep camp. If you’re struggling with aging skin, let us help you with some expert-recommended tips to get your skin back to its glow.

Health Shots contacted Dr. Sejal Saheta, dermatologist and venereologist, InUrSkn, who listed several reasons why your skin loses its luster and glow.

dr. Says Saheta: “As a dermatologist, patients often ask me for my opinion on the latest skin care product on the market. While I keep up with the ever-evolving skincare industry, I honestly believe that getting healthy, glowing skin isn’t really about the product you use, it’s more about your skincare habits. Skin care products from the most reputable pharmaceutical companies are generally safe and have acceptable levels of efficacy, but it is the habits of the individual that really determine success or failure in achieving healthy, blemish-free skin.”

Here are some skin care basics you should know:

Skin care is based on five pillars, which are constant regardless of current trends.

1. Hygiene
2. Nutrition and hydration
3. Protection
4. Peeling
5. Restoration

Each of the above deserves proper attention from your side.

Skin hygiene is much more than showering twice a day. Here’s how it can help treat your aging skin:

1. People with oily and acne-prone skin should cleanse their face of excess oil using mild cleansers and gentle facial wipes throughout the day. This ensures that your face stays clean from any bacterial growth.
2. The basic rule of skin care is to never deal with pimples or boils on the skin. This can lead to the spread of bacteria to other parts and can cause serious scarring of the skin.
3. Rubbing the skin with hands, towels or due to tight clothing can cause serious skin problems with the pigmentation and texture of your skin.
4. Clothes that don’t breathe or hold sweat can lead to skin infections. Always make sure your clothes and skin are free of sweat and extra moisture (think damp clothes).
5. “Always pay special attention to the areas in the folds of the body. (behind the ears, under the armpits, in the groin, between the fingers and toes) These are areas that are generally easily affected by infections,” advises Dr. Sachet.

As part of the hygiene rules, we must not forget to always clean the skin of make-up before going to bed, because make-up tends to clog the pores on the skin and can cause complications.

You are what you eat and drink… but not in the way you imagine

The only advice about diet and its connection to the health of your aging skin is to always choose a balanced diet that does not favor any particular food group. Fad diets that favor a particular macronutrient tend to have disastrous consequences for your skin’s health. Your skin, like the rest of your body, needs carbohydrates, proteins and fats to maintain its health.

“Regarding micronutrients, I recommend choosing foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and antioxidants. The health of the skin in terms of its barrier function, its elasticity and the level of oxidative stress depends on the consumption of these micronutrients,” Dr. Saheta told Health Shots.

“In terms of water intake, the general guidelines you should try to follow are around 2.5 liters of water per day for women and 3.5 liters of water per day for men. Water consumption plays an important role in skin hydration levels and its biomechanical performance,” he adds.

Make a moisturizer and sunscreen to protect your aging skin

“The role that moisturizer and sunscreen play in the health of your skin is far more important than any other serum or lotion you’ll ever meet,” asserts Dr. Sachet.

Moisturizers generally help to maintain the moisture level in the upper layers of the skin and thus help to keep the skin smooth without any inflammation or itching. More importantly, moisturizer slows down the process of lines and wrinkles.

Meanwhile, a good sunscreen goes a long way in reducing damage to your skin from UV exposure. Such exposure leads to pigmentation problems and premature aging of the skin.

dr. Saheta says, “While I recommend talking to your dermatologist to help you choose a good moisturizer and sunscreen, as a rule of thumb, I would urge you to never buy a moisturizer based on the packaging and how it’s marketed. I always recommend to my patients that they purchase a moisturizer from a major trusted pharmaceutical brand that has been properly tested for efficacy and safety.”

Remember to apply moisturizer daily immediately after showering and then as needed. Every time you step outside, apply a layer of sunscreen to all exposed parts of your body. Also, remember to use sunscreens and moisturizers regardless of the season.

Exfoliating but gentle!

Rubbing and scrubbing is probably the worst thing a person can do to their skin. Exfoliation of the skin must be gentle, otherwise it can cause problems such as hyperpigmentation or deterioration of your skin’s texture. I recommend using gentle face washes, toners, and cleansers with very mild levels of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs).

If your skin needs a stronger exfoliation, have it done at a dermatology clinic. A dermatologist may recommend a chemical peel or microdermabrasion if the need arises.

Here are some rules for rejuvenating aging skin

dr. Saheta advises: “Aging and exposure to the environment affect the health of our skin. However, there are now a sufficient number of skin care products with ingredients that can prevent the signs of aging and skin damage for a long time. For patients over 25, I usually recommend serums with the ingredients below.”

1. Vitamin C: This reduces oxidative stress on your skin and also increases collagen synthesis. These properties help control the production of melanin in your skin and also reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Retinoids: “These are derivatives of vitamin A that promote cell renewal and stimulate collagen formation. It’s often touted as an anti-aging elixir,” says Dr. Sachet.
3. Hyaluronic acid: This retains large amounts of moisture and helps it penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. Therefore, it effectively makes the skin more moisturized and flexible.

There are many other targeted skin care products that help with issues ranging from acne, eczema to dark circles. However, we sincerely recommend that such products be used only under the guidance of a dermatologist.

It’s a misconception that skin care routines are meant for middle-aged people who already have aging skin. In fact, the sooner we start a proper skin care routine, the more we can ward off external interference later in life. Good skin care is all about habits, and the time to start a good skin care regimen is now. Well, if looking like you’re in your 20s is exaggerating, you’ll still age like a fine wine!