Does Anti-Ageing Work?
CONCERNLet’s begin by thinking about what anti-ageing really means. Is it possible to stop our skin, our body, our mind from ageing? No, ageing is a natural process that begins as soon as we’re born, we cannot stop ageing and nor would we want to, as Mark Twain famously said, "do not complain about growing old, it is a privilege denied to many." So, why is the term anti-ageing used in the skincare realm? Well, it's a blanket term used because many skincare anti-ageing products work to improve the appearance of the signs of ageing on the skin such as dark spots, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and sagging skin. As the skin ages many things have an effect on how quickly these signs show up. The skin can age prematurely due to environmental factors such as UVA and UVB rays from the sun which damage skin throughout our lives. Our genes play a part in how our skin ages and lifestyle makes a difference too. Getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, exercising, avoiding smoking and stress can all help the skin to stay resilient and look healthier as we age. Anti-ageing skincare utilises powerful active ingredients which can delay some of the signs of ageing and/or improve the appearance of the skin. It doesn’t matter how old your skin is, it’s always possible to improve your skin health. The key is really in the consistency of your skincare routine and in the products you choose. This is where our skin pros can help, book a virtual consultation or an in store consultation for personalised advice tailored to your skin’s needs.
How do anti-ageing skincare products work?
Here’s a good example, we already know it’s perfectly natural for our skin to lose tone and hydration as we get older, and this is in part because we start to produce less of the protein collagen. Collagen is known as one of the building blocks of skin as it helps to maintain skin volume, elasticity, and moisture. Vitamin C is vital to the natural process of the production of collagen within the body, so this is just one of the reasons that we recommend Vitamin C enriched products as part of an anti-ageing skincare routine. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant which means it protects skin against damaging free radicals from the environment. Our Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate contains 12.5% Vitamin C and is clinically-demonstrated to boost the skin’s radiant look whilst visibly reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Building an anti-ageing skincare routine
In a good anti-ageing skincare routine, there should be a balance between preservation and resistance. When it comes to preservation, it’s important to have a daytime routine that will prevent some of the daily damage that leads to further signs of ageing on the skin. Of course, skincare can never prevent your skin from natural ageing completely, but it can limit some of the visible appearances and slow down some effects. Another factor to consider within your skincare routine is working on your particular skin issues whether that is dark spots, firmness, or hydration. We suggest choosing a serum that will tackle your no.1 concern. Follow these steps for a daily anti-ageing skincare routine that will support healthy looking skin.
Step 1: Cleansing
No matter what stage your skin is at, it’s really important to clean it every morning and every evening with a gentle cleanser. In the morning it’s important to remove sweat and debris before applying the rest of your skin routine. In the evening, it’s the same, but you’ll be removing SPF and dirt from the day. Our Ultra Facial Cleanser is a mild foaming cleanser that’s suitable for all skin types. It is pH balanced to support your skin barrier and it is formulated with Squalane, Apricot Kernel Oil, Vitamin E and Avocado Oil. You can use it both morning and evening. If you have dry skin or wear makeup during the day, then we recommend cleansing with Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil in the evening. This lightweight oil is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin and gently removes impurities ready for night-time replenishment.
Step 2: Serum
The serum step is the place in your routine where you can tackle any particular skin issues. Serums are lightweight, quickly absorbed super charged skin boosters packed with active ingredients and designed to help improve the appearance of skin. We’re going to run through some common active ingredients found in anti-ageing serums and how they can benefit your skin and fit into your routine.
Vitamin C
This powerful vitamin within skincare products can help to reduce dullness, brighten the skin, improve collagen production and as an antioxidant, can also protect the skin from further damage.
Here at Kiehl’s in our Vitamin C products we use Vitamin Cg, a Vitamin C derivative also known as Ascorbyl Glucoside that activates once absorbed into the upper layers of the skin’s surface. With antioxidant benefits, this form of Vitamin C is frequently used in anti-wrinkle skincare products to help reduce the appearance of lines.
Our Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate is clinically-demonstrated to boost skin’s radiant look whilst visibly reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Apply every morning after cleansing and allow to absorb before following with a moisturiser.
Hyaluronic Acid
As we age it becomes harder for the skin to hold moisture within its cells, this means the surface of the skin looks less plump, and fine lines and wrinkles appear more pronounced. All skin types, including oily skin and combination skin can begin to feel dry and look dull, here’s where hyaluronic acid steps in. This wonder ingredient is able to pull water from the atmosphere and hold it within the skin, preventing moisture-loss and plumping out skin cells which leads to a fuller looking complexion.
Our Vital Skin-Strengthening Hyaluronic Acid Super Serum is formulated for all skin types including sensitive skin and helps to visibly diminish fine lines and revive tired-looking, dull skin. Formulated with 11kDa Hyaluronic Acid — our smallest form of Hyaluronic Acid — and a proprietary Adaptogenic Herbal Complex, this lightweight serum deeply penetrates skin’s surface layers* and works to neutralise skin-ageing stressors to visibly renew skin. Skin will feel more resilient and feel bouncier and look more radiant.
*Stratum corneum layers.
Retinol
Derived from Vitamin A, Retinol is one of the gold standard active ingredients in anti-ageing skincare. It works to stimulate cell turnover and remove dead skin cells which means skin looks brighter, with a more even tone. It also helps to boost the production of collagen and the natural production of elastin, which naturally slow down as we age. Retinol also fights UV damage like hyperpigmentation and can help to minimise the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots and blemishes.
Retinol can be a tricky ingredient for the skin to tolerate, however, here at Kiehl’s our advanced formula is expertly calibrated into a perfect daily dose, with our skin-gentle Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum. This lightweight retinol serum is suitable for all skin types and delivers visibly potent results with a reduced likelihood of discomforting side effects such as redness, dryness or peeling. The serum works to visibly reduce the look of wrinkles, refine the feel of skin’s texture and firm the feel of skin. The unique micro-dose serum contains a trio of actives – Pure Retinol, Peptide and Ceramides which help to promote surface skin cell turnover while strengthening the skin barrier function. We found 100% of users, showed reduced fine lines and wrinkles.* Apply after cleansing every evening. It can be used in the daytime too, in which case apply after cleansing and always finish with SPF.
*Results represented are maximum improvement based on a 24 week clinical study with 132 subjects.
Step 3: Moisturise
Once your serum has absorbed, it’s a good idea to apply an anti-ageing cream moisturiser to lock in hydration and protect your skin barrier. As we age, our natural oil production slows down and skin becomes naturally drier, this can show up all over the complexion as dry skin, or in certain areas causing dry patches. Dryness can also lead to itchy feeling skin, raised skin texture, redness, and tight-feeling skin.
A good moisturiser will help to relive this dryness, while simultaneously protecting the skin barrier. Our global bestselling Ultra Facial Cream feels lightweight but packs a punch, supporting skin with up to 24 hours of moisture. You can also choose a moisturiser that includes anti-ageing active ingredients, such as our Super Multi Corrective Cream for Face and Neck which contains a trio of PhytoMimetic Vitamin A, ProxylaneGX and Chaga Mushroom. This rich anti-ageing cream has a multi-targeted approach to diminishing 7 key visible signs of ageing including fine lines, the appearance of wrinkles, loss of elasticity and uneven tone and texture, while, helping the skin to retain moisture throughout the day. During the night our skin works even harder to repair damage, you can support this natural rejuvenation with a night cream such as Midnight Recovery Omega Rich Botanical Cloud Cream. This cloud-like cream feels instantly soft on the skin and helps to visibly plump and replenish your skin’s protective lipid barrier for radiant skin in the morning.
Step 4: Eye Care
The eye area is ultra-delicate with thin skin which means it’s often the first place that we see fine lines appear, alongside discoloration and puffiness. Using an eye cream dedicated to this area will help to prevent further damage and keep skin feeling smooth and healthy. Our Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum is formulated with 10% Pure Vitamin C, Tri-Peptide and Hyaluronic Acid. The unique formula is clinically demonstrated to help decrease the appearance of wrinkles, crow’s feet and dark circles, it instantly refreshes the appearance of tired-looking, strained eyes. Dot gently onto the under eye area and smooth into skin, this powerful formula should be used once a day – morning or evening to begin with, and then once your skin is used to it, use morning and evening.
Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum
Step 5: Sunscreen
Everyday sun exposure from UVA and UVB light rays will cause sun damage at a cellular level which shows up on the skin as lines, textural issues and sun spots. Protecting your skin everyday with sunscreen, no matter how old you are, will help your skin to stay looking smoother and help to avoid sun spots and pigmentation. Our Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50 PA++++ non-comedogenic sunscreen provides all-day hydration, absorbs quickly and leaves a comfortable, non-greasy finish. With advanced UVA/UVB technology and pollution protection, this lightweight facial sunscreen helps defend against aggressors while also helping to protect against premature signs of ageing. Apply every morning as the last step in your skin routine but before makeup (if you wear it), it doubles as a smooth makeup base.
When it comes to skin ageing, it’s entirely up to you how you approach this natural process. Our products can help support skin health, working to help maintain comfortable, healthy skin that looks and feels great. If you would like personalised advice on any aspect of our skincare, then don’t hesitate to book a virtual consultation or an in store consultation with one of our expert skin pros who will guide you.
