Common Anti-Ageing Myths Busted

The world of anti-ageing is filled with rumours and misinformation, making the search for firm, youthful skin, dangerous and expensive.

So, before you smear questionable products or ingredients all over your face, or spend your hard earned money on a pointless jar of anti-ageing gunk, read on to find out more about how and why our skin ages.

Fact: Wrinkles Are Not The First Sign Of Ageing

According to dermatologists, it’s dark spots (pigmentation) and a loss in facial volume that are the first real signs of ageing, which appear way before the wrinkles do.

Fact: Ageing Is Not Always Determined By Your Genes

Your mother’s ageing timeline is not necessarily an indicator of yours. This is because the ageing of our skin is determined by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic ageing refers to our genetic predisposition, but you can’t forget about extrinsic ageing, which refers to the acceleration of our natural ageing process due to environmental factors like UV light , lifestyle, diet and pollution. Despite our genetics, extrinsic factors can lead to poor ageing even in people with good genetics.

Fact: Sunscreen Should Be Worn EveryDay, And Be Reapplied Every Two Hours

If you’re planning to spend the day indoors, you may be tempted to skip the sunscreen, but don’t. You are constantly being bombarded by the stressors of sunlight, whether indoors or outdoors, and even on cloudy days.

There are two types of UV light: UVA and UVB. UVA rays are generally linked to the ageing of skin cells and tend to be the cause of wrinkles, sun spots, and other signs of sun damage. UVB rays are the principal cause of sunburn, directly damage DNA in skin cells, and are linked to most skin cancers.

If you are not sure what sunscreen to get, or if you just hate the feeling of sunscreen on your skin, check out our Top 5 sunscreen for 2022 for some suggestions.

Fact: The Results Of Your Anti-aging routine Will Not Show Immediate Results

Anti-ageing treatments and products require persistence to see results. It’s the occasional or irregular use of skincare remedies that is the most common cause of failure to prevent ageing changes. The average waiting period for an anti-ageing product to show some results is one month.

Fact: Expensive Does Not Always Mean Better

You can have a glowing, youthful skin without having to bankrupt yourself buying only the big name skin care products. And more often than not, a hefty price tag doesn’t mean that a product will be more effective, so instead of judging a product by its price tag, observe the ingredients list first and manufacturer second.

Pricing in skincare is often a reflection of marketing and branding than actual quality and efficacy. The simplest and cheapest skincare precautions are often more effective than the more expensive alternatives. Simply using a sunscreen daily under a suitable moisturiser diligently, and correctly, long term, is far more effective to prevent ageing, than buying a tub of $800 anti-ageing cream.

Fact: Your Day-Time Skin Care Routine Is Just As Important As Your Nighttime Anti-Ageing Routine

Your skin has different needs at different times of the day. In the morning, you need to protect it, which is why a good SPF is important, combined with a good anti-oxidant, like a vitamin C serum, which will help protect it from pollution and harmful rays – both leading causes of premature ageing. At night, you need to rebuild and repair.

Fact: Retinol Doesn’t Have To Be Used Every Single Day For It To Work

Although it is beneficial to use retinol every day, some skin types aren’t able to tolerate daily use. This is because, in the first two to four weeks, your skin undergoes a process called retinization (when the skin cells adjust to the retinal molecule) where it is more prone to irritation. To combat redness, dryness, itching, and peeling, it is just as effective, and kinder to your skin to use your retinol every other day, to give your skin time to acclimate.

It’s far better to slowly ramp up your retinol usage as your skin gains more tolerance, but if you find that frequent use is still causing irritation, then listen to your skin, because it knows what it needs.

Fact: Burning Or Stinging Does Not Mean That It’s Working

Feeling the burn in skincare is not a good sign. It just means that your skin is irritated, and irritated skin is prone to acne. It’s also a telling indicator that your skin’s pH balance has been knocked off kilter from using overly harsh products.

Always remember that a weakened skin barrier leads to skin sensitivity, rashes and breakouts, and ageing, so make sure to feed your skin with products that preserve its natural protective oils instead of stripping them.