Forget turning back the clock, we say. Your best skin is yet to come with these smart skincare tips and products.
The future’s looking bright for grown-up women. Finally, the beauty industry has conceded that ‘anti-ageing’ is less about chasing youth, and more about skincare tips and products that promote skin health, quality and texture – and just feeling great at every age. How? Simplicity, consistency and self-preservation.
Using the stuff that we know works to fight the stuff we know does the most damage: UV rays, pollution, the building up of dead cells, and the slowing down of turnover. Follow our four simple skincare tips for fresh, fabulous skin…
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4 Skincare tips to try now…
1 Clean up (twice)
Spick-and-span skin feels lovely, is likelier to glow, and can properly absorb any skincare used next. Tiny pollution particles only come off with a proper double-cleanse, not a once-over with a wipe. First, remove surface dirt with a cotton pad and Vichy Pureté Thermale 3in1 One Step Cleansing Micellar Solution, R225 for 200ml.
Now go in with something rich, then rinse with warm water and dab with a facecloth. We like Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover Cleansing Oil Stick, R570, a balm in a twist-up stick.
If oil or spots are an issue, rather do gel-based Kalahari Facial Cleanser, R259 for 160ml.
ALSO SEE: Cleansing oils: why every woman should use one
2 Target tone and texture
Beauty adverts focus on wrinkles, but many women are just as concerned about pores and pigmentation. Slower cell turnover is what keeps old sun-damaged skin on show over new stuff. Exfoliate twice a week with a modern liquid like Ren Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, R610 for 250ml, a gratifying two-second lactic-acid exfoliant.
For a gentle process, Clarins One Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser With Orange Extract, R465 for 125ml, is a soothing scrub with orange syrup that softens, refreshes and revitalises.
For age spots, niacinamide helps cell renewal, interferes with melanin production and hydrates; try Dermalogica Pure Night, R1 450 for 50ml.
3 Protect your skin
Daily SPF is a hard sell. Nobody wants to feel gunky or chalky every day, but just google the truck driver with half a face of sun damage – seriously, wear SPF! There are fantastic formulas out there. If you have irritable, combination skin, you’ll love the non-greasy feel of SVR Clairial Crème SPF50, R408 for 50ml, which also protects against sunspots.
Bioderma Cicabio SPF 50+ Soothing Repairing Care, R189 for 30ml, calms and protects dry and sensitive complexions; while Nivea Sun UV Face Q10 Anti-Age & Anti-Pigments, R129,99 for 50ml, is a light, trustworthy all-dayer. All of the above feel undetectable – so no excuses.
4 Use antioxidants
Free radicals sound groovy, but you don’t want these pesky unstable molecules at your party – they’re found in UV light, pollution and smoke, and encourage lines, laxity and dullness. SPF is key to blocking UV rays, but you can make it work harder by using topical antioxidants after cleansing to mop up free radicals and neutralise damage. Vitamin C does it best, but it is destabilised by light and oxygen, and only works at levels above 10%.
It’s pricey, but if you’re looking for results, Skinceuticals makes one of the best products to try: C E Ferulic, R2 385 for 30ml, with 15% vitamin C.
Or try innovative Neutriherbs Vitamin C Brightening & Glow Cream, R320 for 50g, which helps to brighten and hydrate the skin, day and night.
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