12 Simple, Science-Backed Tips For Age-Defying Skin
Here is how to keep your skin looking forever young, according to an MD.
Can you keep your skin "young and healthy" without investing in any pricey procedures? This is the question that people around the world want to know the answer to. Luckily, Trisha Pasricha, MD, has come to the rescue. In a new editorial for The Washington Post, she reveals a few science-backed skincare tips to encourage longevity. "Keep in mind that none of these products are the fountain of youth. But if you set realistic goals, incorporating topical treatments and focusing on prevention can get you on the path toward healthier, smoother skin," she says,
Her first suggestion is to wash your face in the morning. "Use a face cleanser. The brand doesn't necessarily matter," she says.
After washing your face, apply a moisturizer. "Choose what works for your budget and skin type — such as sensitive, dry or oily," she says.
Next, lather up in sunscreen. "You've probably heard you should wear sunscreen religiously before going outside and don wide-brimmed hats or clothing with built-in protection. Look for a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or more, and wear it every day — even when your plan is to sit in front of your computer working," she says. "Remember, most sun damage is due to incidental exposure," adds Charlene Lam, an associate professor of dermatology at Penn State Health, in an email interview. "So not the times you are going to the beach, but when you are randomly out running errands or even sitting inside because UVA rays can still penetrate windows."
At night, after you are home for the day, wash your face again, she says.
After washing, apply retinoids, "which are compounds derived from vitamin A, have been well studied to reverse some of the damage from UV rays, boosting cell turnover and stimulating collagen to smoothen wrinkles and even out irregularities. They range from prescription-strength tretinoin to the less potent over-the-counter versions retinal and retinol," she says, adding that you only need a "pea-sized amount."
She also suggests being skeptical of social media and ads. "Look, I'm not immune to the bait of fancy lotions extolled by people with absurdly dewy skin on TikTok. But I also don't want to waste my time and money," she explains. "Ads for anti-aging products often tout a clinical study backing them, which might make you think they're worth your money. But there are few strong placebo-controlled, blinded randomized trials in humans for over-the-counter products — much less ones that weren't sponsored by the brand profiting from them. Outcomes are often based on a subjective appearance of improvement, not on something measured microscopically."
Despite the advice from TikTok gurus, she maintains that you don't need to exfoliate, "that's something your body does naturally," she says. "If your skin is dry and flaky, focus instead on moisturizing."
Also, exercise can help keep you looking young. "If you aren't already in a good exercise routine, this is your sign to start lifting weights: A study of sedentary middle-aged Japanese women found that even 16 weeks of regularly exercising improved the elasticity and bolstered the extracellular matrix of facial skin. Lifting weights in particular boosted the dermal layer of the skin," she writes.
Smoking is a no-no for good skin. "Smokers have characteristic changes associated with accelerated skin aging, including lower eyelid bags and upper lip wrinkles that may be driven by poorer skin elasticity," she writes.
Air pollution has also been shown to be associated with premature skin aging in epidemiological studies, she says.
Sunglasses protect your eyes and your under eye area. "You should wear a pair that offers UVA and UVB protection to protect the delicate skin around your eyes that is so prone to wrinkling. Mature skin tends to become drier (our sebaceous glands produce less oil with age) so a rich moisturizer can help," she explains.
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"Mature skin tends to become drier (our sebaceous glands produce less oil with age) so a rich moisturizer can help," she concludes.
