We all wish we could turn back the hands of time; wave a wand and whooosshh you look 21 again or drink that magic elixir and no one would suspect you haven’t had a full night’s sleep in three years. In fact, so strong is our desire to reverse the signs of ageing, that the global anti-ageing market size is expected to be worth approximately US$119.6 Billion by 2030.
In South Africa, the skin care market was valued at US$663.51 Million in 2020 and has grown at a dramatic rate since then, with the market experiencing an accelerating demand for anti-ageing products, such as anti-wrinkle cream, face cream, serum, eye cream, and others, due to, Ruan Winter Marketing Manager for high end professional skin care brand Vitaderm explains, external factors, like pollution and hard water conditions bombarding such products’ needs.
“While we can’t alter the natural ageing process, our genes largely control these changes such as visible lines over time, loss of fullness, thinning and drying, what we can influence is another type of ageing that affects our skin. The environment, stress and our lifestyle choices can all cause our skin to age prematurely. Known as extrinsic ageing there are some preventative measures one can take to slow the affect this type of ageing has on our skin,” says Winter.
Winter provides the below tips to assist you in your anti-ageing skin care regimen journey:
Gently cleanse – Cleansing removes any skin care product or makeup you’ve applied during the day, as well as natural skin oils, pollutants, and bacteria that’s accumulated. It also allows your skin care products to enter your skin and work more effectively. Use a gentle cleanser to preserve your skin barrier and keep it resistant to dehydration and damage. Cleansers with a high pH like soaps are very harsh and can leave your skin vulnerable to irritation and infection. Cleansers with a low pH, work well to maintain optimal skin balance.
Exfoliate – Exfoliation is an important step in a preventative skin care routine. Exfoliate to get rid of dry, flaky skin and rejuvenate and brighten the skin. Regular exfoliation helps with sun damage or skin discoloration and allows for products to penetrate deeper into the skin.
Anti-ageing serum – As we age, our preventative skin care routine should evolve. Incorporating an anti-ageing serum, such as one that contains retinol, into your repertoire will help brighten your skin, catch free radicals, and stimulate collagen formation. The Retinol Serum is Vitaderm’s most rejuvenating serum. Cruelty free, like all the brands products, this tri-active skin-perfecting formulation contains a 2.5% blend of Vitamin A derivatives which offer super antioxidant properties that protect cell DNA and enhance skin regeneration. Retinol is the primary, naturally occurring form of Vitamin A and is particularly renowned for its anti-ageing properties. The Retinol Serum should only be applied at night to a clean face and, when using any retinol product, it’s essential to use a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 as it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
If you are new to using retinol formulations, it’s recommended you perform a patch test and introducing this product into your skin care routine gradually. Vitaderm’s Retinol Step-Up Programme will show you how.
Moisturise – With age also comes less sebum. While this means less chance of acne, it also means your skin will dry out more easily. One of the biggest reasons for fine lines is inadequate skin hydration. Look for a moisturiser that contains water-binding humectants like glycerine and hyaluronic acid.
Quit smoking – While stopping smoking can benefit the body in more ways than one, it can particularly help in the preventative skin care department. Cigarette smoke decreases the blood supply to the skin, causes unnecessary wrinkles on the face and leaves skin dehydrated and dull. Like other environmental pollutants, cigarettes are full of free radicals, what we try to fight with anti-ageing products, and if you smoke, you’re giving them a free pass to your skin and overall health.
Stay hydrated – Your water intake can directly impact the health of your skin. The recommended daily water intake may vary depending on your activity level – the more you work out, the more water you need.
Sunscreen – Sun protection is one of the simplest ways to keep your skin looking as young as possible. The sun’s UV rays can cause ageing by breaking down collagen and causing abnormalities in elastin, leading to thinner skin and wrinkles and can cause uneven pigmented patches to develop. Use a sunscreen daily of SPF 30 or more. Vitaderm’s Reflective Sun Barrier SPF 35+ contains a high percentage of reflective content that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays, making it a safer and healthier alternative to sunscreens containing high levels of chemicals.
Sleep – While we sleep, the skin regenerates itself, which helps it stay healthy. Beauty sleep is very important, and it’s recommended that adults get at least seven to eight hours a night.
