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If there’s one skin care goal that nearly everyone has in common it’s to slow down signs of ageing skin. Truth be told, we all have to grow older. It’s another beautiful part of life. And ageing skin is not a bad thing, but having skin that ages in a healthy way is a goal worth going after.

Following are seven ingredients to incorporate into your skin care routine for health ageing skin:

1. SPF

It’s no surprise this skin care essential made it to the list of must-haves for healthy ageing. And even with the vast amount of knowledge and studies that prove how important sun protection is, so many of us neglect to use it daily. If you didn’t know, although the sun gives us a healthy dose of vitamin D, exposure to ultraviolet rays can be harmful. And the dangers of unprotected sun exposure don’t vary by race or age. Bottom line: We all need to wear SPF every single day.

Skin cancer is not the only possible consequence of neglecting sun protection. It wreaks havoc on our skin, too. “Sunscreen is one of the first and most important steps to take in an anti-ageing routine, and you are never too young or too old to start,” says NYC dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D. “UV exposure can lead to signs of skin ageing including dark spots and a breakdown in collagen, which leads to fine lines and wrinkles.”

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the sunscreen you use should include broad-spectrum protection (to protect against UVA and UVB rays), SPF of 30 or higher, and a water-resistant formula. And your go-to formula should be applied every day you go outside, this includes cold-weather months and days when the sun is not visible. “Upward of 80% of UV rays still penetrate the clouds and can impact your skin, so protecting your skin daily regardless of season, rain or shine, is important,” notes holistic board-certified dermatologist Keira Barr, M.D.

However, if you’re worried about the ingredients in a traditional sunscreen, otherwise known as a chemical sunscreen, you’re not in the wrong. According to activist organisation the Environmental Working Group and the Food and Drug Administration, 12 of the 16 active ingredients in sunscreen used in the U.S. do not have sufficient data to support their safety claims, including oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and avobenzone. Not only have they not been adequately tested for human safety, but many chemical sunscreens have been shown to be damaging to the oceans and oceanic wildlife, like coral reefs.

Louisiana-based dermatologist with a special interest in holistic medicine Mamina Turegano, M.D., FAAD, recommends reaching for a zinc-based sunscreen, as even those with sensitive skin can use it.

“Zinc is considered to be a physical sunscreen ingredient,” she explains, saying that it physically blocks the UV rays from damaging the skin cells. “Whereas chemical sunscreens work by changing UV rays into heat and then releasing that heat from the skin,” she says.

2. Antioxidants

Antioxidants help to neutralise free radicals from oxidative stress, inflammation, and UV rays. “Neutralising free radicals with antioxidants improves the prevention of photodamage,” says NYC dermatologist Hadley King, M.D. She encourages her patients to use an antioxidant serum every morning. A common go-to for skin experts is vitamin C since it helps build collagen in the skin, stabilises the collagen you already have, and treats and prevents hyperpigmentation.

Garshick seconds this choice and says environmental stressors like pollution can lead to oxidative damage, so applying topical antioxidants helps to prevent further damage like brown spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. A few other stellar antioxidants to consider are astaxanthin, CoQ10, and vitamin E.

3. Retinoids and Bakuchiol

Many experts agreed, retinoids can play a very important role in healthy aging. If you’re unaware, retinoids are vitamin A derivatives and studies show that they play a significant part in a slew of skin care improvements including reducing lines and wrinkles and the appearance of dark spots. Board-certified dermatologist Tiffany Libby, M.D., FAAD, says retinoids are the holy grail for almost any dermatologist. “Retinoids increase cellular turnover to exfoliate clogged pores and reduce the appearance of fine lines and are fabulous treatments for acne.”

If you’re looking for a natural alternative to retinoids, Turegano suggests the plant extract bakuchiol. A recent study shows that this natural option is known to have similar anti-ageing effects as retinol and is even less irritating.

5. Peptides

If you find that your skin is losing its firmness, Turegano recommends reaching for peptides. “Peptides are small-chain amino acids that help build collagen, elastin, and keratin,” she says. “This can lead to firmer and smoother skin.” And since applying collagen topically has no effect on the skin other than hydration, finding ingredients that promote the production of collagen naturally is a great way to plump and lift the skin.

6. AHAs

Both AHAs and BHAs are considered to be exfoliants by chemically breaking down and sloughing off dead skin cells, dirt, debris, and excess oils. While exfoliating the skin, AHAs and BHAs help to promote the growth of new cells, allow for better product absorption, and restore hydration. AHAs, however, might be more beneficial for mature skin, rather than BHAs, which tend to be better for younger, acne-prone skin. “For older patients and those with oilier skin, I tend to add a bonus AHA for exfoliating and improving skin texture and tone,” says board-certified dermatologist Caren Campbell, M.D. Turegano says using exfoliating agents helps skin care ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin, which means their effects will be boosted. AHAs also help to stimulate collagen and elastin production, slough off dead skin cells, and brighten the overall complexion.

7. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is like gold when it comes to hydration. It’s a naturally occurring sugar that holds water to collagen. Not to mention it can hold up to a thousand times its weight in water and locks it in. HA gives dehydrated skin a burst of moisture, and it helps to plump skin and fill fine lines. As with collagen, the amount of naturally occurring hyaluronic acid in our bodies decreases as we age. So applying it as a topical product helps skin look hydrated and plump.
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