Collagen is a protein that our skin cells produce to “hold” our skin together keeping it’s firmness and elasticity. Young skin is plump and smooth because it constantly naturally re-generates itself. As we age our collagen production slows down, from 25yrs collagen slowly decreases and by 45yrs it’s 30% less meaning your skin can get damaged due to sun exposure or bad habits and result in wrinkles and sagging skin.
Sun damage made simple – UVB Rays are the rays that burn our skin, UVA Rays are the rays that age our skin. So UVA Rays break down fibres and elasticity in our skin creating wrinkles. So here’s what you can do to help boost your collagen preventing aging skin:
1.Up Your Vitamin C Intake Vitamin C is crucial to the formulation of collagen and it’s difficult for our bodies to restore vitamin C so the more you can get the better. Also add Vitamin C to your daily skin care routine like these Pure Vitamin C Powder Cream from Dr Sebagh available at Liberty Beauty Hall to reactivate your collagen levels.
2.Cut Down Your Sugar Habits Eating too many sugary foods can be a beauty disaster! It causes premature aging by a process called glycation (the cellular level of the skins structure resulting in wrinkling and loss of elasticity)
3.Use an SPF SPF’s protect our skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Use an SPF 15 – 30, there are lot’s of skin creams and tinted moisturisers with added SPF’s. Add a shield of protection under your make-up like this Dermalogica product available at Liberty Beauty Hall
4.Exfoliate This seems like an obvious one but I’m always surprised how many people skip this part of their weekly routine relying purely on their magic lotions and potions to do the trick. I advise both! Removing the top layer of dead skin helps speed up the natural process of skin and collagen renewal. You can also use Acid Peels or Glycolic Overnight Peels in addition to a good old fashioned exfoliation – use gentle products that aren’t too harsh for the face. I like to use just a face flannel to gently exfoliate my skin with after cleansing.
5.Add Antioxidants To Your Routine Adding antioxidants to your skincare and your diet can do wonders for your skin keeping you looking young. Sip on green tea (I do struggle with green tea so opt for a green tea infused with peppermint to hide the taste) Also use creams and active serums containing antioxidants like this Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Hydrator available at Liberty Beauty Hall
6.Massage Your Skin Massaging your face daily will help boost the production of collagen giving skin a plump appearance for smoother younger looking skin. Massage also stimulates the lymph glands to promote clearer skin, massage with a collagen boosting face oil. I massage my skin for a minute in the morning while applying face serum before my moisturiser. (when you have more time and not rushing out the door you should massage your face for at least 5 mins)
Oh one last thing, always treat your skin to a face mask once a week, choose a day and stick to it so you get into a routine. The best day is on a Sunday or on your day off so you’ve got at least 15mins to relax and for the mask to do it’s job well.
What anti-ageing skin care advice do you have? I’d love to hear your tips and ticks.
Secondblonde x
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