As the body ages, natural production levels of collagen and elastin begin to decline, meaning that the skin becomes looser and duller as the years progress. For those who have been seeking out some new ways to firm and brighten your skin, these tips will help you to get started.
Lighten Dark Spots
As you age, you are likely to notice a few dark spots appearing on your face, and these can often really detract from a youthful appearance. To brighten your face up, there are a number of ways in which you can work to fade these dark spots. Hydroquinone is often one of the most popular lightening ingredients out there, but this can have a wide range of negative side effects, and has actually been banned in several countries. For a safer alternative, look for products that contain melanozyme or kojic acid, both of which are ingredients derived from mushrooms, making them completely natural and safe. These have the ability to break down melanin in the skin, and it will not be long before they are able to fade your dark spots and brighten up your face.
Cut Out Smoking and Drinking
You are likely well aware of the negative effects that smoking and drinking can have on your overall health, but they also both dull the skin and accelerate aging. While smoking cuts off the oxygen supply to the skin, destroying collagen and elastin at the same time, alcohol increases insulin levels, resulting in inflammation and premature sagging.
Use a Retinoid
Retinoids are one of the most powerful anti-aging ingredients out there, and there are many scientific studies to back this up. Retinol has been proven to have the ability to boost the cell renewal process while increasing collagen production, meaning that, with regular use, your skin will soon appear much firmer and brighter.
Regular Exfoliation
As the body ages, its natural cell turnover process, which is the way in which dead skin cells are shed to reveal the fresh skin cells beneath, begins to slow down. Exfoliation is one of the best ways to speed this back up, and it also means that subsequent products that you apply will be able to penetrate the skin much more easily. There are many forms of exfoliation out there, from scrubs to chemical peels, so be sure to explore all of the options so that you can find the one that works best for your skin.
Don’t Neglect Your Neck
The skin on your neck is actually thinner than the skin on your face, which is why this is an area that often develops wrinkles and fine lines first. Many people tend to forget about their neck when it comes to their skin care regime, but your neck should be receiving all of the same products and ingredients that you apply onto your face, from retinoids to antioxidants to sunscreen.
Firming and brightening your skin is a great way to bring a youthful glow back into your complexion. From retinoids to lightening creams, these tips are all worth following if you have been noticing visible signs of aging appearing on your skin.
