ASK A DERMATOLOGIST

How to select the right anti-aging skin care products?

Shopping for an anti-aging skin care product can feel like a hit-or-miss experience. With so many choices, it can be difficult to know which products to choose. Start with sunscreen and moisturizer as they are the two most-effective anti-aging products you can buy. Using these every day can make a noticeable difference. When shopping for sunscreen, select one that offers all of the following: Broad spectrum, SPF 30 (or higher), water resistance. An anti-aging moisturiser helps to minimise fine lines. It is so effective that moisturiser is the secret ingredient in many anti-aging products. Also, buy a product formulated for your skin type. Your sunscreen, moisturiser, and other anti-aging skin care products will work best if they are formulated for your skin type. For example, if your skin tends to be oily, select a moisturiser made for oily skin. If you have sensitive skin, you want to see the words “sensitive skin” on the label. Remember to read product labels and select a product that offers all of the following: Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic and consumer hotline.

I’ve recently added Retinol to my skincare routine. How often I should be using it?

Given the power of Retinol, it is recommended to introduce it gradually into your regime, particularly for first-time users. That may be using only a couple of nights in your first week, to every other night in your second week, and then increasing to nightly use as tolerated. It’s also normal to experience some initial redness, tingling or dryness while using Retinol so if this happens you can reduce your frequency of use. Everyone’s skin is different. It’s also important that while using Retinol you’re using a broad spectrum SPF during the day as Retinol increases the skin’s sensitivity to UV.

What is the difference between Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol?

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in our bodies and gives skin its plumpness, volume and bounce due to its ability to hold up to 1000x its weight in water. Sadly, levels decline as we age, which is why incorporating it into skincare becomes so important to replenish hydration and plumpness. Retinol, on the other hand, is a powerful derivative of Vitamin A, a gold-standard anti-ageing active and arguably the most powerful anti-ageing ingredient there is. Retinol works on the skin by increasing the rate of cell turnover which helps to visibly renew the skin, even the texture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

RELATED POST

COMMENTS