Navigating the world of skincare is not an easy job, especially after a certain age when your skin needs more than a good dose of daily hydration.
With the first signs of ageing – fine lines around the mouth and the eyes, maybe even some wrinkles and pigmentation spots, less elastic skin – comes the temptation to try the overly hyped anti-aging products.
In a vast majority of cases, this translates into a lot of money spent for very little (if any) anti-ageing benefits. Because unfortunately, not all promises come true!
Before putting those products (that failed to deliver) on the blacklist, you should know that different products deliver different results for different skin types. This is the reason why one product might be great for you but not so good for someone else. This is the reason why some people swear by a certain skincare product while others swear at it.
To help you make better skincare choices in the future, we decided to put together a list of five of the most common anti-aging myths. Ready to have a look?
1. The best anti-aging products come from luxury skincare brands
Are you ready to pay over $400 for your daily moisturiser? How about $600? Or $1000?
Of course, there are products worth spending more on them. For example, specific treatments containing hard to find active ingredients. However, this doesn’t mean that if you spend four times more on your new anti-aging moisturiser, it will provide better results.
The price tag is no guarantee that the product is right for your skin type or that it will deliver the results you are expecting. More than this, keep in mind that even these kinds of products have some bad reviews and people complain that they didn’t get their money’s worth.
Instead of making the price the main factor, you should read the ingredients’ list and also reviews from people who purchased and used the product. In some cases, you can get a pretty good idea just from reading these reviews if the product is worth it or you are better off with a more affordable alternative.
2. Anti-aging is all about wrinkles and fine lines
Well, there is no doubt about it – crow’s feet are not fun, and it definitely says “not very young.” However, wrinkles are not the complete definition of ageing. Unfortunately, after a certain age, there are other skin imperfections that occur, such as thin skin and a lack of contour in the eye area, lifeless-looking skin, a lack of elasticity, pigmentation spots, to name just a few.
Why is this important? Because a good anti-aging skincare routine should take them all into consideration. Of course, our first aim is to prevent and then to treat.
So, if you thought that you could just get some Botox later on and everything will be fine (just like ten years ago), better reconsider the options! Prevention is easy, less costly, and can help you have that youthful, healthy natural glow for much longer!
3. Sunscreen is optional
Finding a good sunscreen that is not packed with harmful chemicals, is easy to apply and doesn’t leave a white cast on your skin can be challenging. However, now more than ever, you should know that sunscreen is not optional.
Your dermatologist will tell you this, and your skin therapist will tell you this, you probably tell your children this all the time. It is true!! And with the incidence of skin conditions caused by sun exposure, why risk it?
There are plenty of options for daily moisturisers with an SPF 30 and even SPF 50+ that have a lightweight texture and can deliver a matte or sheer finish. How about Alpha-H Daily Essential Moisturiser SPF 50+?
While during the cooler months of the year, you can do with a lower sun protection factor, make sure to still use sunscreen every day. If you are already confronted with premature signs of aging, such as dark spots and loss of elasticity, you can choose to wear the sunscreen over a serum and under makeup.
And keep in mind that there is not much we can do nowadays to reverse the damaging effects of the sun at the level of the skin – so better invest in prevention (I mean “protection”)!
4. Anti-aging products deliver instant results
If only things were so easy! But this is just a myth that might lead to a lot of disappointment and regret. Of course, it would be lovely to use a retinol serum in the evening and wake up with smooth, soft, and supple skin the next morning.
Some products can actually do this, but usually, this entails consistent use. When it comes to a new cream, serum, or lotion, it is recommended to expect results after at least two to three weeks of regular applications.
In some cases, it can take as long as one or two months. This is the reason why you should never stop using a serum or a cream just because you didn’t see any results after the first few days.
And, more importantly, when it comes to anti-aging skincare products that aim to slow down the passing of time at the level of the face, it can take a long time to see the results of our investment.
Instead of instant results, it is better to focus on the long-term results and how the skin feels and looks after each application.
5. It is better to use products from the same line or brand
Some skin experts advise their clients to follow the “less is more” rule when it comes to anti-aging products. Or, in other words, to keep it simple and choose two-three products from the same line and stick with them for at least three to six months. While this seems like sound advice, it is more or less an oversimplification.
A more efficient way to address your anti-aging skincare routine is to choose products that target different needs, even if they are from different brands and lines. For example, you can use at the same time a serum for acne, a serum for hydration, a moisturiser for rosacea, and a non-comedogenic sunscreen.
However, what you should do is introduce the products one by one (and not all at once) to your beauty routine. Allow at least two weeks between introducing a new product to see what the effects of the first one are and whether there are any allergic reactions to it.
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