When we think of the visible signs of aging that we most want to overcome, facial wrinkles are at the top of the list. We are constantly made aware of the major common causes of wrinkles – the sun’s ultraviolet rays, stress, alcohol, cigarette smoking and simply getting older.
However, there are some lesser-known factors that may be contributing to your display of facial creases. These may not have the macro effects of the causes already mentioned, but if you are quite concerned by the appearance of wrinkles you may wish to consider every possible option. One or more of these may be influencing your appearance, so consider running a self-check to monitor their impact.
Sleeping on one side all night
Research has shown that sleeping on one side the entire night can cause creases on your skin to develop. This is because as you crunch your skin against your pillow, creases may develop on your chest, chins and cheeks.
Unfortunately, as you get older, your skin will no longer be capable of smoothing out or springing back as quickly as when you were still young because it loses elasticity as we age. Try to minimize the habit of sleeping on only one side as much as possible. You may also opt to use silky soft pillowcases to reduce friction on your skin.
Spending long hours inside the vehicle
It is a common fallacy that being inside the car totally spares you from the harmful rays of the sun. However, if you drive or stay inside the car for long hours you can still be a moving target of the sun’s UV rays. One way to prevent this from happening is to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen daily when travelling. Wear sunglasses as well to prevent squinting – another wrinkle-maker.
Repeated facial expressions
If you have the habit of frowning or squinting whenever you are trying to express yourself then chances are there are already several grooves forming beneath the surface of your skin. Gradually, these grooves will become obvious marks that are known as wrinkles which are also referred to as laugh lines, frown lines and forehead folds.
Eat a balanced diet
We are made aware from some quarters that over-consumption of meat can be bad for our health. The real problem is if meat is eaten to the exclusion of other necessary food groups, especially fruit and vegetables. When it comes to fighting wrinkles, we often tend to forget about the importance of eating plant-based foods which are loaded with anti-oxidants that fight against premature signs of aging.
Meat can have benefits to the body’s overall health but avoiding those greens and other colored vegetables can speed up age-related symptoms so skin wrinkles will appear sooner than they should. A great way to combat these wrinkles is to load up your plate with fish, olive oil, fruits and vegetables. Remember that you need to be beautiful inside and out!
Washing too much
Cleanliness might be a virtue, but habitually washing too much can have a negative effect on the health of your skin. Over washing your face can deplete its natural moisturizers resulting in dry skin that is susceptible to wrinkle formations.
Some soaps and cleansers contain ingredients which are harsh to the skin, especially if not quickly rinsed off. Make sure to use mild soaps and also avoid applying too much makeup.
Anti Aging Moisturizers – Creams v. Serums
With the demand for anti-aging skin care products at an all time high, manufacturers are constantly evolving their methods of delivering dewy, youthful skin. Anti-aging creams are the standard – a hybrid formula based on the tried and true moisturizers. The newer product is the serum, an over-the-counter variation on products that were initially used by aestheticians and dermatologists for advanced skin care. Now you can buy either type at prices ranging from department store to discount store levels.
Creams are soothing, rich and designed to provide the extra moisture that aging, sun exposure and environmental toxins steal from the skin over time. No longer the big generic jar on your grandmother’s dresser that went on the whole body from face to toes, today’s anti-aging creams are specially designed for the face and neck. Creams also come in formulas that are suitable for dry, oily or combination skin types. Choosing a cream for your skin is extremely important. Retinal – the Vitamin A derivative – is found in creams at all price points.
Naturally the more expensive creams have a larger amount of retinal A than the lower-priced products. Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and grape seed oil are also popular additives in anti-aging cream moisturizers. Cream moisturizers for day-wear need to have a high sun protection factor (SPF), while night creams don’t need this feature.
Serums are getting much attention in the anti-aging market for their claims of faster, visible results than creams can deliver. As with anti-aging creams, the key ingredients in most serums are Retinal (Vitamin A) and peptides. It’s the delivery of peptides that are rapidly absorbed into the skin that gives the notable changes. Peptides act on the collagen levels, which make the skin appear fuller and cause wrinkles to be less apparent.
Continuous use of these serums is absolutely necessary to stimulate collagen production. Erratic use of serums won’t sustain visible results. Top quality serums tend to cost more than creams. Some serums have a two-step process compared with cream that you simply apply to the face. Another claimed advantage for serums is the inclusion of an ingredient – argireline – which works on the skin much like Botox, but without the toxin.
Argireline is a safe way to relax the muscles, which smoothes out wrinkles. Serums with high concentrations of this element claim up to 25% reduction in fine line and wrinkles after 30 days of continuous use. Argireline is also said to reverse sun damage effects on skin.
The choice of creams versus serums for anti-aging skincare is largely an issue of cost and ease of use. One way to get the best of both worlds at a price savings is to use a serum for several months to achieve the desired wrinkle reduction and then switch to an anti-aging cream.
If that works well to sustain your visible skin improvements, then you have a combination skincare regimen at a lower average cost. You can add back the serums for a month several times a year to boost results.
Or, you can conduct your own comparison. Use a serum for 30 days and take a close-up photo of the results. Then switch to a cream for the next 30 days and take a photo of the skin. Compare these closely to see whether serum or cream is the best anti-aging skincare product for your skin, your budget and your daily cosmetic routine.
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