Anti-ageing is always a hot topic, with women (and men) all over the globe seeking the latest treatments and beauty advancements to turn back the clock.
The truth is, you don't need the next miracle product. Instead, a smart skincare regime and a healthy lifestyle will stand you and your skin in good stead in the years to come. We've put together our top 7 youth elixir tips.
1. Feed your skin
The skin is the body’s largest organ and is our first line of defence against the environment around us. The skin on our faces is constantly exposed and requires a some TLC to stay in tip-top shape. Protecting and hydrating your skin is crucial for healthy ageing; topical antioxidants, in particular, are excellent for protecting the skin from free-radical damage that causes the signs of ageing. Use a potent serum and moisturiser daily to give your skin a boost, and hydrate according to your skin type – lightweight textures for oily and combination skins, and rich textures for dry skin types.
2. Be consistent
It’s what you do every day that counts. Giving your skin regular care and attention will pay dividends in the future. If you’re busy, stick to the basics of cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturising daily; keep your skincare products next to your toothbrush to remind you to use them. Adjust your regime by adding in more active products as you get older.
3. Treat your skin gently
Over time, tugging and pulling your skin can cause wrinkles and sagging. Use a feather-light touch when applying skincare and makeup, and be as gentle as possible when removing your makeup. Avoid upsetting the skin’s natural barrier with over-exfoliating or cleansing at all costs.
If you suffer from allergies, avoid rubbing your eyes; try a cold compress to soothe the area. Be mindful that movement while sleeping on your stomach or your side can cause wrinkles and sagging on your face.
4. Eat the rainbow
It’s true that we are what we eat. New cells are built using the nutrients from our food - so choose wisely. Adopt an 80/20 approach to food, and opt for nutrient dense, balanced meals wherever possible.
Eating a variety of vegetables and fruits provides a range of antioxidants, essential for beautiful skin and healthy ageing. Don't forget to include plenty of healthy fat in your diet! Think avocado, oily fish, olive oil, nuts and seeds.
As well as focusing on fresh produce (organic wherever possible), aim to reduce your sugar and alcohol intake. Sugar ages the skin prematurely, causing collagen to break down and wrinkles and sagging to occur.
5. Reduce stress
The muscles in the face can hold a surprising amount of tension, especially during times of stress. As we age, we start to wear our life experiences on our faces. There's no denying life is busier than ever for many of us, so make stress management and reduction a priority, not only for your looks but your ongoing health.
Give yourself a gentle facial massage with Tailor Oil Cleanse, adopt a daily meditation practice, learn yoga, use positive affirmations, or try something simple like taking time out to sit and have a cup of tea (no devices allowed). Time in nature is also a beautiful way to de-stress - kick your shoes off and wiggle your feet into some grass or sand for a quick grounding session. Allocate time and space every day to decompress and relax.
6. Be sun smart
Sun exposure can be incredibly damaging to skin. Aside from the obvious skin cancer risks, too much sun can cause pigmentation, wrinkles and lines, sagging, dryness and dehydration, and loss of radiance. Be sun smart and avoid the summer sun between 10 am and 4 pm if possible, and invest in a wide-brimmed hat and a lightweight shirt to wear on the beach. If you are planning to be in the sun for longer than ten to fifteen minutes – or if you burn quickly – apply a generous layer of Tailor Renew and a Zinc based sunscreen to protect your precious skin.
Day to day, wearing mineral makeup with SPF and donning sunglasses will help to protect your skin. Sunglasses have the added bonus of preventing wrinkles due to squinting!
While avoiding excessive sun exposure is recommended for healthy skin, Vitamin D production is important for general health, and most of us aren’t getting anywhere near enough.
7. Always take your make up off
I think you already know this - Sleeping with your makeup on is a huge beauty no-no. If you've worn a full face of makeup, do a double cleanse and use a warm face cloth to remove residue gently. Take special care around the eyes; tiny particles of mascara and liner left around the eyes can be irritating and cause damage to the delicate skin in this area.
Use a Tailor Towel with an oily remover like Tailor Oil Cleanse to dissolve stubborn long-wearing makeup. Concealer and foundation in the eye area can be very drying, so be sure to rehydrate with a serum or eye cream like Tailor Hydrate post-removal.
Author - Stephanie Viatos.
Stephanie is a Hawke’s Bay-based beauty blogger and makeup artist with a passion for skin, makeup, and living a healthy lifestyle. Steph founded the Beauty Guru blog in 2008 to provide authentic, honest beauty advice for women of all ages.