Fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. Those are the first inevitable signs of our body and face aging. I'm 36 years old, and I have to say looking younger than my actual age runs in the family. But the past three years I started noticing some unflattering crows feet appear, smile lines have gotten deeper and my complexion started losing its freshness. What's wrong with a wrinkle I hear you say. Actually I get this comment ALL the time when I talk about anti-aging on Instagram. Well, absolutely nothing. It's a sign of life and it does NOT make you less beautiful. I have always taken real good care of my skin, barely sunbathed, wore SPF on the daily, but you can't stop the aging and the signs that come with it. Personally I don't like those signs and I like to treat them and prevent them from getting worse. Of course there are cosmetic treatments like botox and filler that help a lot, but that's a whole other subject. In this post I'd like to share 5 anti-aging products and tools that I have all personally tried and have found to be effective. I am not a dermatologist or skincare expert, these are just products that have helped me keeping my skin look young. Also, none of the reviews below are sponsored, but some products were gifted to me.
Retinol
Retinol is a form of vitamin A, an ingredient that promotes skin renewal and enhances collagen production. When it comes to reversing the signs of skin aging, Retinol is hands down the industry's gold standard ingredient. It has the power reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and age spots for firmer, smoother and more evenly-toned skin.
However, retinol can cause irritation and dry, flaky skin. What I have found to be the best way to start using retinol is to begin with a small amount every other day for about two weeks. Then I gradually increased the frequency to allow my skin to adapt.
These are some of my favorite retinol products:
AHA/BHA
AHA and BHA are acids that exfoliate the skin. As we all know by know, exfoliation is an essential part of a good skincare routine. It helps to remove dead skin and facilitate new cell turnover, keep pores clean, and promote blood flow and collagen production. It also makes your skin look younger, healthier, and helps produce the much-desired glow. I exfoliate my skin two to three times a week, switching up a physical exfoliant and AHA/BHA.
AHA is best for dry skin and surface-level skin concerns like acne scars. BHA's are best for oily and acne-prone skin types. And then there are products which contain both.
These are some of my favorite AHA/BHA products:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the most common antioxidant found in the skin. It's also found in vegetables and citrus fruits. Like vitamin E, vitamin C is considered important in repairing free radicals and preventing them from becoming cancerous or accelerating the aging process. What's not to love?!
These are some of my favorite vitamin C products:
moisturizer
By now we all know how important hydration and water intake is. At least 8 glasses of water per day is the rule. This will definitely show its efficiency in your skin, but it's not enough to address signs of aging. A good moisturizer works to improve the appearance of a wrinkle by making the wrinkle less deep. The skin puffs up and lessens the appearance of the wrinkle. These are some of my favorite moisturizers:
face tools
Have you noticed how you skin and face looks super plump and lifted after getting a facial? Of course the products that are used have a lot to do with this. But don't underestimate the power of an esthetician's hands tapping and massaging/draining your face! I started using face tools after realizing I had to recreate that 'facial massage effect' at home. I have tried ALL of the tools listed below, and every single one of them is super effective in firming, smoothing and lifting my skin. Please let me know in a comment below if you want me to go more into detail about a certain tool in another post or video!
These are some of my favorite face tools:
