The start of a new year always feels like a chance to reset and start afresh. Ditch the old (bad) habits, start something new, have a cleanout, start a new hobby, make more effort with the exercise, or try a dry-January (or drynuary I have even seen it called). Some brave people even make New Year’s resolutions and set goals; most commendable I must say.
What does this have to do with skincare you might ask? Well, it is as good a time as any to think about your skincare routine and make resolutions around your skincare in general. It might also be a time to think about changing your habitual ways – if you have followed the same routine since you were eighteen, it might be time to review this and update it (especially if you are now 55).
Our skin tells a story of time. Ageing means our skin’s needs reflect the changes and the damage that has occurred over time, and we must adjust our skincare approach in turn. So, how do we keep pace with our evolving complexions and rewind the clock on visible signs of ageing? Let's journey through the decades and look at the best skincare practices for each stage of life.
Twenties: building blocks for a lifetime
In your twenties, your skin is at its peak, radiant and glowing naturally. But this doesn’t mean you should neglect your skin at this stage or take it for granted, this is the best time to establish healthy habits:
- Cleanse with a gentle, liquid cleanser at the correct pH for your skin (around 5.5 or 6) to prevent damage to the skin’s microbiome and protect your natural lipid barrier. Avoid using harsh cleansers that strip the skin of natural oils, or traditional soap bars as these are too alkaline.
- Hydrate with a lightweight serum if your skin feels dry. Think hyaluronic acid for hydration and antioxidants like vitamin C, and vitamin A to fight free radicals.
- Be sunwise and do not spend more than 20 minutes per day in the direct sun. Avoid the harsh midday sun and reduce your reliance on high SPF products as they are implicated in the high incidence (33%) of users developing vitamin D shortage and contain many chemicals. Vit D shortage has serious health consequences. Prioritise shade or sun protection (like a hat) in the hottest part of the day as sun damage from sunburn must be avoided. Sun damage in your twenties will show up years later as skin that looks older than your years.
- Consider targeted serums containing gentle AHAs or BHAs once or twice weekly. This can help to prevent clogged pores and promote cell turnover.
Thirties: target early signs
As we enter our thirties, collagen production slows down, and fine lines may start to appear. It's time to level up your routine:
- Up the exfoliation game by introducing a gentle chemical exfoliant (like lactic acid) once or twice a week to combat dullness and reveal brighter skin.
- Use Thoclor Labs GF2 twice daily to reverse ageing and control low-grade inflammation, called inflammageing in the skin.
- Retinol can also become your new best friend, promoting cell turnover and addressing early wrinkles.
Forties: embrace radiance and resilience
In our forties, the loss of collagen becomes more evident, and skin may lose some of its youthful bounce. Don't fret, embrace the beauty of experience:
- Boost collagen production with the addition of GF2 daily. Our non-toxic hypochlorous acid is your secret weapon to keep your skin’s cells functioning well.
- Start using retinol if you haven’t already. Start slowly and gradually to stimulate collagen production and smooth wrinkles. If you find this isn’t an ideal match for your skin, try one of the new alt-retinols on the market. Remember retinol and alt-retinol make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so use GF2 to control the slight irritation that retinol might bring.
- Hydrate from within by ensuring you are including food rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids in your diet to nourish your skin from the inside out.
- Extend the use of your skin products down your neck and chest to maintain even tone and texture on these often-neglected areas.
- Consider injectable treatments like Botox to address deeper wrinkles. Speak to your dermatologist about your options.
Fifties and beyond: graceful ageing, elevated care
In your fifties and beyond, skin becomes thinner and drier. Hormonal changes during menopause may also have an impact. Focus on maintaining hydration and addressing any sun damage.
Pigmentation marks called lentigos start to appear. The destruction of the hydration centre in your skin leaves your skin dry. Low-grade inflammatory damage can include extreme dryness, uneven skin tone, sagging and patches of oiliness.
Thoclor Labs GF2, when used long-term, will go a long way to restore the skin from an environmentally aged look to its chronological age. The sooner you start using GF2, the better.
In conclusion
Embrace your natural beauty by remembering that less is often more. Work towards using fewer cosmetics and make-up products, an overapplication of skin care ingredients will contribute to aged skin, rather than reversing it. Most skin care products also contain preservatives. These preservatives are nonspecific germ killers (they keep your products from going “off”) and they damage the skin’s biome, which has far-reaching consequences for your skin’s health.
Most importantly we recommend adding our GF2 to your daily routine as soon as possible, no matter your age or skin concerns. The active ingredient, our miracle molecule HOCl, helps retain youthful skin, restore problem skin, and rejuvenate aged skin. Used regularly GF2 helps to restore and maintain hydration and cell function, even skin tone and reduce inflammageing caused by environmental damage.
Throughout your skincare journey (and your life), be kind to yourself! Not only is it important to listen to your skin and observe its needs but also remember that stress, sleep, and lifestyle factors play a role in skin health. So, while we encourage you to try using fewer products to see how your skin reacts it is just as important to manage your stress, get enough sleep and maintain a healthy diet. Ultimately, the best skincare routine is one that makes you feel comfortable and confident in your skin, at any age.
So, there you have it! Your skin may change through the decades, but your commitment to self-care should remain constant.
