​7 bad skin habits that make you look older!

Too often many of us once we have found a beauty product favourite that works for us - well we stick to it! Not realising that as we age our skin and its needs change requiring differing anti-ageing ingredients to stave off the onslaught of age, from the effects of simply growing older, summer holidays in Spain to air conditioned offices and diets in need of an overhaul, skin is reactive and we too must be reactive in our approach to preserving our youthful, glowing skin for longer!

#1. Are you using a broad-spectrum sunscreen?

Did you know that not all sunscreens are created equal? Protecting your skin from the damaging effects of UVA (ageing) and UVB (burning) is essential and to do so you must use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Ditch anything that isn’t and make sure to apply with gusto – your face and neck requires a full teaspoon of product to be amply protected.

Try: Dermalogica Solar Defense Booster SPF50 (50ml)

#2. Are you delaying your anti-ageing regimen?

Love the skin you’re in! From a young age we are taught that prevention is always better than a cure and none more so than when it comes to your anti-ageing ritual. Did you know that you should start using an eye cream from the age of 18? Or that using a Serum from the age of 25 provides optimal effect? And applying hardworking age defiant ingredients like Retinol as you reach your mid 30’s will help delay the signs of ageing before they start to form

Try: Clarins Double Serum

#3. Are you applying your products at the right time?

If you’re already using anti-ageing ingredients as part of your skin care regimen than you’re obviously a woman in the know, but, were you aware that the time of the day you use these ingredients make all the difference? Antioxidants such as vitamin C are best used in the AM in order to fight UV and free radical damage during the day, whilst collagen boosting ingredients (retinoids and peptides) and chemical exfoliators like alpha and beta hydroxyl acids are most effective when applied at night as the skin is in repair mode.

Try: Dermalogica Age Smart Skin Resurfacing Cleanser 150ml

#4. Are you pretending your skin hasn’t changed?

Skin care products we use in our 20’s, unfortunately just don’t cut it as we storm into our 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and beyond. Why? Well simply put as we age our skin becomes drier, thinner even more sensitive and its needs change and so must the products we use to combat the effects of environmental aggressors and ageing. Figure out what your skin issues are at the present moment (is your skin red, oily, are fine lines becoming prominent or perhaps pigmentation is more evident?) and adjust your beauty products accordingly.

Try: Dermalogica Ultra Calming Mist, Trilogy - Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+ 30ml

#5. Are you neglecting your eyes?

The eye area is the most vulnerable and fragile of all of your skin. It is thinner than anywhere else on the body and is prone to fine lines, wrinkles and darkening. Refrain from rubbing your eyes (particularly in hay fever season!) as this can break fragile blood vessels and cause skin crinkling – and start applying your anti-ageing eye cream morning and night!

#6. Do you treat your adult acne like teenage pimples?

As a teenager your acne and blemishes are the result of puberty and excessive oil production. But when you’re an adult its more likely that stress, hormonal fluctuations and changing skin types as we age are responsible for those infuriating breakouts. So whilst we were prone to stripping our skin of all of its oil in an attempt to rid ourselves of acne in our teens, as an adult we should look towards a cleanser that contains salicylic acid to unblock, declog and rid the skin of congestion without stripping it dry and causing dehydration.

#7. Don’t forget about your neck and chest

Too often many of us forget that our face does not end at our jawline – it ends at the décolletage. The neck and décolletage are always on show so it is wise to include them into your beauty ritual with the same level of respect as you show your face. Make sure to extend your cleanser, toners, exfoliators, serums, moisturisers and sunscreens all the way down to your breasts.

Try: Thalgo Collagen Cream 50ml