I hate to admit it, but our faces are really important. Think about it: it’s the first thing anyone sees!
That’s probably why we spend so much time searching for the newest and best ways to take a few years off our face.
I already talked about my bare minimum skincare routine that anyone can do, and I’m here again talking about anti-aging. Look, y’all, I’m in my 30s. I may not be an aesthetician, but I’m practically an old lady at this point — so I know what I’m talking about.
Let’s dive back into anti-aging.
Unfortunately the world of anti-aging products is full of advertising, misinformation, and pricy products. So, before you shell out big bucks on a tiny jar of anti-aging serum or wind up with a whole vanity full of creams that don’t work, let’s go over some of the biggest myths in the anti-aging skincare game.
“You Only Have to Wear Sunscreen on Sunny Days”
We’ve all done it: the forecast is calling for cloudy weather all day, so you figure you don’t need to put on sunscreen. But it’s never a good idea to skip the SPF. You’re constantly bombarded by the aging effects of the sun, even on cloudy days, during the winter, or even — get this — while indoors.
Even if you’re going to be indoors all day long, it’s best to go ahead and slather on the sunscreen. While glass typically used is designed to block most UVB rays, it doesn’t offer protection from all UVA rays that are generally linked to the aging of skin cells and cause signs of sun damage.
“The Expensive Products Work the Best”
You don’t always get what you pay for, apparently. So, if you’re fighting aging skin on a budget, you’ll be glad to know that expensive products aren’t necessarily more effective.
When it comes to skincare products, sometimes the price tag has more to do with branding or marketing than it does to do with quality. In other words, just because it has a highly-recognizable name on it doesn’t mean it’s the best in the biz. Instead of judging by price tag, observe the ingredients list and the manufacturer.
“Wrinkles Are the First Sign of Aging”
It’s easy to miss the signs of aging, when you don’t know what you’re looking for.
Most people don’t start reaching for anti-aging products until they start seeing wrinkles. However, those wrinkles aren’t usually the first sign of aging when it comes to our faces. More subtle changes, like discoloration, changes in texture, skin laxity, and the appearance of fine lines, usually appear first. That is actually the best time to start an anti-aging routine.
“You Will See Some Immediate Anti-Aging Results”
I’ve told people this a thousand times over: if there was a miracle product that kept our faces looking youthful in an instant, we’d already know about it and everyone would use it. There’s no such thing, unless you’re ready to go under the knife (or needle).
Unfortunately, patience is the name of the game when it comes to anti-aging products. Being consistent is also definitely key to seeing results. The average waiting period for an anti-aging product is about one month, but that’s only if you use it consistently — no skipping the nighttime routine half the week because you were too tired.
“If it Burns or Stings, It’s Working”
“Feel the burn” doesn’t really apply when you’re talking about the skin on your face. Usually, burning or stinging is not a good sign in skincare. It could mean that your skin is irritated by an overly harsh product, which could wind up leading to more damage.
“Nighttime Anti-Aging Routines Are More Important”
Maybe it’s because we talk about “beauty sleep” that we tend to associate anti-aging with nighttime routines more often. It makes it sound a lot more effective.
However, your nighttime skin routine isn’t really any more important than your morning routine. In fact, they are about equal in terms of importance. Your skin just has different needs at both times. In the morning, you need to protect it. At night, it’s time to rebuild.
