When it comes to info about anti-aging must-have, top-of-the-line products, there’s a constant buzz that is flooding us, and it’s difficult to tell what’s fact and what’s fiction.
Some recommend water intake like the one true fountain of youth for keeping your skin plump and glowing, others have gone all organic, others have taken the no-smiling resting face tactic as seriously as it can get to prevent the formation of fine lines. Some stuff works for some while doing nothing for others. The internet is an ever-growing source for tips and tricks on how to maintain a youthful appearance, but the reality is that a lot of myths also flourish amidst.
To set the record straight, we took it upon ourselves to find 5 of the most popular ideas about what causes the skin to age and see what the hype is all about.
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| Image Source: Pexels |
Skin whitening creams lead to premature aging
Whitening face creams have been under the spotlight for a long time now for encouraging a racist and discriminatory behavior, but what is also not to be disregarded is the serious effects they can leave on your skin after constant use.
Studies have shown that these creams contain a dangerous cocktail of components such as steroids or tretinoin that can lead to severe problems; skin and liver cancer are just two of them. Another chemical in these creams is hydroquinone, a product that is currently banned in the European Union, Australia, and Japan. For the sake of clarity, let’s just put it this way, hydroquinone is indeed very effective for treating overly pigmented areas on your face, yes. On the other hand, the reason this chemical has gained such a bad rep is because studies have shown that it has some carcinogenic effects if applied to the skin. It is categorized as being toxic to cells. Basically, besides inhibiting the excessive production of melanin (which means it lightens the skin), long-term usage can lead to pigment cell damage. Below you can find a few other side-effects hydroquinone can have if you have sensitive skin or a predisposition toward allergies:
• Contact dermatitis
• Increased exposure to UV radiation
• Increased risks of getting hyperpigmentation, once the melanin production is affected
• Thick, flaky skin
FACT!
Anti-aging cream can work against you
Anti-aging creams are not just products; they are a commitment to everyday routine. There’s no such thing as a knife-free quick fix in a bottle. Wrinkle creams are not something you put on your face at night to wake up ten years younger in the morning, fine line free. All we can do is invest in this routine, choose what’s proven to be safe and healthy and cross our fingers in the hopes that 5 or 10 years from now we’ll thank ourselves for all the efforts.
We buy anti-wrinkle creams to nourish our skin, to combat the effects our crazy everyday lives, full of long hours at work and little sleep. But are these face creams working against us? We’ve often tried out a bunch of products that were designed to create a more youthful appearance, to encourage the elasticity of skin, yet woke up to see that not only they didn’t work, but also caused irritations, redness and made wrinkles even more visible. How come? Well, it’s all about ingredients.
To help you with your anti-aging efforts, we’ve listed out a few ingredients that should be a red flag when you’re renewing your stash of youth:
Petroleum jelly (or mineral oil): although there are many who swear by the extra protection and moisturizing effects of petroleum, the action this ingredient has is it creates a film over the skin surface, clogging pores and preventing the skin’s natural ability to cleanse itself. If used regularly, it promotes acne, skin irritation, and an overall aging appearance.
Sulphates: they’re everywhere, in all products, from toothpaste to shampoos, even in powerful car engine degreasers. The quantity in each varies of course; nonetheless, they can be quite corrosive if you have sensitive skin, leading to dryness and dryness just means more visible wrinkles.
Alcohols: ethanol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, these are all ingredients that can be found in a bunch of anti-aging face creams. Their effect is drying the skin and stripping away the natural oils found on your face, leading of course to premature aging.
So, do anti-aging creams contribute to premature aging? Some do! Pay attention to the label.
FACT!
The earlier you use anti-aging cream, the better
Just like Black Friday seems to be starting earlier each year, the cosmetic industry seems to be pushing down the age when you should start using anti-aging products.
Nowadays it’s become a habit to start using anti-wrinkle cream straight out of high school. But is this necessary?
To get our facts straight, we did our research, and most estheticians agree that what you should focus on when deciding whether or not you should start having an anti-aging routine is your skin complexion. These nutrients and antioxidant-filled cosmetics are especially designed for people with dry skin, as this is the type most prone to premature aging. So if you have dry skin, feel free to start using them as early as your 20s, although it’s advisable, to begin with, a moisturizing cream before switching to anti-aging. Just make sure you use the right product. If your complexion is mixed or oily, then you should postpone the moment you begin using these products as they can potentially clog your pores or lead to blackheads or even an acne breakout.
All in all, don’t rush into using this type of product from an early age. With a proper diet, no smoking and sunscreen, it will be years until you need them. Everything has its time.
MYTH!
You don’t need sunscreen if it’s not sunny
It’s easy to forget to put on sunscreen when it’s not sunny outside. Forgetting though is not as bad as the common idea that when cloudy, sunscreen is not necessary. This misconception comes from the fact that most of us were not aware that there are two types of rays that can affect us and they do that differently. UVB rays are the ones that lead to tanning, as their burning effect is almost immediate. UVA rays are the ones that can reach you even through clouds, smog and even glass. The latter are responsible for premature skin aging.
There are certain situations when you’re more at risk than others: around snow, ice, at the beach or near water. This is because all these mediums have a mirroring action and they can expose you to the effects of UVA rays even more.
One of the biggest problems caused by the sun is skin cancer, especially melanoma that affects people in their 20’s. You should know that sunscreen prevents eruptions of red veins and acne too.
Our advice: include sunscreen in your daily routine and put on that sunny smile.
MYTH!
Anti-aging will always be a hot topic, and info about this spring all around. Some are true; some is just hype. Look for honest reviews and whatever you choose to believe, make sure is an educated choice! But trust me on one thing: always use sunscreen.
