The 5-Ingredient Anti-Aging Cocktail

 

Full confession here: I’m not 30 anymore. Long gone are the days of not having a dedicated skin care routine.

 

After 40 it takes a little more... effort... to get the same result that I used to get from using a scrub a few times a week and running out the door. The good news is, that it is never too late to have glowing skin. NEVER!

 

Here’s how.

 

Begin with a Basic Skincare Routine

 

Before you can turbo-boost your skin routine, you will need to have a basic skin care routine in place.

 

  • Cleanse: 1-2 times daily

  • Exfoliate: 2-3 times a week with a physical exfoliant like scrubs, masks, facial brushes, etc.

  • Tone: After cleansing or exfoliating, tone to balance the skin’s PH and prep it to accept beneficial ingredients

  • Correct: Use a serum, treatment cream, or medicines to reduce unwanted features like redness, acne, or fine lines

  • Protect: Use oils, moisturizers, and SPFs to maintain moisture in the skin and protect it from the elements

 

If you are a minimalist like me, you may be doing all of these things with less steps if your cleanser is also an exfoliant, or your moisturizer is a treatment cream, etc. Combining steps is ok. The key is to consistently use quality ingredients that are appropriate for your skin type.

 

Five-Ingredient Anti-Aging Cocktail

 

I often refer to these five ingredients as the “anti-aging cocktail.” Wouldn’t it be delightful if you could mix up a drink that gave you youthful skin? I’d be ordering it all the time!

 

But just as your body needs certain nutrients inside to be healthy, your skin needs many of the same types of nutrients applied to the surface of the skin.


You are most likely already using some of these ingredients. The idea is to add the ones you lack to your routine to give you better results. Again, if you are a minimalist, it may be easier to swap a product you are using for a multi-tasking one (say a cleanser or mask that simultaneously exfoliates, corrects, and hydrates the skin, while delivering one or two ingredients from this list.)


Here are some key ingredients that I recommend in my skin care practice.

 

  • Hyaluronic Acid

    Hyaluronic acid is a hydrating substance found in the body that binds moisture to skin cells. When you use this ingredient in your skin care, you will get that instant dewy effect seen in celebrity photos. It is like a drink of water for your skin cells, and is able to instantly reduce the look of fine lines, bumpy texture, and enlarged pores.

    It can be found in many products from cleansers to moisturizers. It also protects collagen in the skin, which helps firm the skin from underneath. (Yay collagen!)

  • Vitamin C

    Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant that every human should be using in their skin care routine. Vitamin C slows aging from environmental damage, heals blemishes and scars, prevents dark spots, and protects collagen in the skin by fighting the “bad guys” in the cells that attack collagen. Collagen is like the springs in your couch, providing structure and firmness. (Yay collagen!)

  • Resveratrol

    Resveratrol is another super-antioxidant that is derived from grapes. It is the same stuff in a glass of wine that can improve your health. In the skin, it simply slows aging and strengthens cells. It’s so effective that I feel like when I’m using it, some of my smaller facial lines actually go away.

  • Vitamin A Retinols

    Retinol from vitamin A is an indispensable ingredient to the anti-aging cocktail. It make skin cells “act younger” by speeding up cell renewal (a huge factor in signs of aging). This gives your face a smooth, polished appearance.

    It keeps the pores free from bacteria and dead skin cells, reducing acne and making pores less noticeable. It boosts collagen production in the skin by stimulating it to produce more (collagen production stops around age 40), and discouraging the “bad guys” in the cells that attack it (Yay collagen!).

    All of this adds up to smoother, tighter, firmer skin, with less signs of aging. Retinol can be gentle and plant-derived, or synthetic with harsh side-effects. Less is more, in my opinion, so I use a natural retinol that is plant-based, which doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.

  • Brighteners

    Plant-derived brighteners like those found in licorice root and bearberry prevent and fade dark spots and scars in the skin, and are gentle enough to use even in summer months.


Take stock of the ingredients you are using now, and add the ones you are missing.

 

A great source of antioxidants is Suki Skincare’s Even-tone Brightening Serum, which is high in Vitamin C, resveratrol, and brighteners. It works well for all ages.


Suki Skincare Facial Oils (Nourishing Facial Oil & Balancing Facial Oil) are also full of antioxidants, vitamins, and help maintain moisture and elasticity in the skin. Two or three drops under or mixed with a moisturizer are all you need for game-changing results.


Suki Skincare Radical Results Youth Serum and Facial Lift Ultimate Firming Cream are both high in every ingredient in this list, and are perfect to round out a basic routine. These ingredients will work together to take your skin to the next level!


Don’t worry if you are new to skin care. Start with a simple routine and add baby steps as you go. You will enjoy gradual results as you learn the ingredients to which your skin responds.


Stay beautiful!

 

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