Combat Wrinkles IMMEDIATELY With These 6 Tips!

Fine lines and wrinkles are a natural part of growing older, and a sign of a life filled with laughter and expression! But how much do you know about the way they are formed, and why? Our skin is comprised of two separate layers: the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (the inner layer), the latter being where wrinkles are formed.

Nobody wants to get wrinkles, but as our bodies age, our skin is bound to lose elasticity and our collagen levels (the compound which keeps our skin tight and firm, found in the dermis) are slowly depleted. The skin itself is an incredibly delicate organ, which can be easily damaged by external factors or lack of proper care. The power of gravity, combined with intense facial expressions such as frowning and laughing, are the two main causes of aging signs in our skin. Other factors include sun damage, dehydration, pollution, and even the way you sleep!

There are plenty of products or treatments on the market aimed at targeting wrinkles, but these are often expensive and time-consuming. However, we have researched a few at-home methods to prevent wrinkles in the first place, so read below to uncover some tips and tricks that will stop the unwanted signs of aging from affecting your skin!

1. Cleanse your skin regularly

Remember to always wash your face whenever you come home for the day to remove all traces of pollution, as the urban damage to your skin is known to cause signs of aging. Choose the right cleanser for your skin type, and try to use it twice a day (once in the morning before you apply your skincare routine, and once when returning home for the day/before your bedtime routine). Whichever product you decide to go with, massage it into damp skin into circular motions, and remember to rinse very well when finished to ensure all makeup, dirt, oils, and pollution is removed.

Want an extra boost to make your skin feel squeaky-clean? Introduce a sonic cleansing system in your wash, as it can help stimulate collagen production, and increase the penetration of anti-aging products. If your skin is more sensitive, try to limit using your device to 2-3 times a week, but if you have normal/combination/oily skin, you’re welcome to make use of it every day, even twice a day if your skin allows!

Related: Not sure what type of cleanser to use, or why this step is so important? Read our Foolproof Guide To Layering Your Skincare to find out more about correctly applying cosmetics, and become a skincare pro!

2. Only use upward motions

When it comes to skincare, how you apply your products matters just as much as which products you use. The direction in which you apply your beauty products might seem irrelevant, but don’t be fooled - the only way is upwards. By applying your moisturizers and serums downwards, you are only enabling gravity to pull down your skin, therefore making it appear saggier and wrinkly.

In order to keep wrinkles at bay, there are certain tricks that you can do besides applying your products in upwards motions: make sure you work your way from the inside of your face towards the outside (e.g. from your nose to your temples), and use the tip of your fingers to gently pat the products into your skin, especially around the delicate eye area.

3. Use sunscreen

Sun damage accounts for over 80% of wrinkles and aging, due to harmful UVA and UVB rays. If you want to significantly slow down the aging process, use sunscreen every single day, rain or shine, as these rays can penetrate even the thickest of clouds. Use an SPF cream specifically formulated to be worn on your face, and if you’re going to the beach, remember to reapply often (at least every two hours).

Aim to use a product that has at least 30+ SPF factor, and protects against both UVA/UVB for maximum damage control. If you want to cut down on your getting ready time in the morning, use a daily moisturizer enhanced with SPF protection before applying your makeup.

4. Don’t neglect your neck

Most people are known to be attentive to their facial skin’s needs, but most of them forget to apply their cosmetics to another important area - their neck! The skin in the neck (and décolletage) area is sensitive and thin, and incredibly prone to signs of aging due to the fact that it has less sebaceous glands to protect it from environmental factors. Since it has fewer melanocyte cells (known for their role in our skin’s pigmentation), your neck is more at risk of sun damage, so remember to apply SPF creams to both your face and neck area.

Cel Pro Tip:  While your regular skincare routine should be focused on treating issues for your specific skin type (oily, dry, acne prone etc.), the moisturizer you use on your neck should be focused solely on firming and lifting. 

5. Treat yourself to silk

Sadly, standard pillowcases (such as 100% cotton ones) are moisture-absorbing, and cause a lot of friction, resulting in ‘sleep lines’ and wrinkles. The solution? Invest in silk pillowcases! Resting your face on a silky, smooth surface will either reduce the appearance of sleep lines or even eliminate them completely, as well as diminishing wrinkle formation on your skin. Plus, for people who suffer from acne, regular pillowcases can cause bacteria to spread to the fabric and aggravate their skin issue.

Not a fan of the ‘slippery’ feeling silk gives you? There are some alternatives: sateen (silk-like cotton, not to be confused with satin) or even high-thread count pillowcases are just as effective!

6. Watch your diet

Helping your skin maintain its youthful appearance can also be achieved from the inside. Good skin starts from within your stomach, and foods that are high in antioxidants (found in fruits and vegetables that are rich in color) can help you slow down the aging process. Some highly pigmented produce, such as berries, spinach, kale, and beans, are the best choice if you’re looking to diminish your wrinkles via diet changes.

Are you a fan of happy hour? Alcohol is one of the most aggressive compounds to destroy your skin; it is known to affect the blood supply to your dermis, dehydrating your body and depleting it of vitamin A. Excessive alcohol consumption is bound to cause premature aging in your skin, leaving you with hard-to-get-rid-of wrinkles and looking even up to ten years older. Giving up alcohol completely may allow your skin to slowly regenerate depending on your existing collagen levels, but that might sound impossible for some; if you’re not just yet ready to let go of the liquor,  we recommend at least limiting your intake, and constantly supplementing with a glass of water if you’d like to maintain that youthful glow.

Conclusion

While no-one can fully stop our body’s aging process, these handy techniques, combined with scientifically formulated, effective yet non-harmful beauty products can minimize the outside damage to your skin, and delay the onset of wrinkles. Nourish your skin with the utmost care, as it is your most delicate and visible organ - remember that preventing is often better than treating, so act sooner than later to prevent pesky wrinkles from forming, and maintain your youthful appearance!