Skin hydration is crucial to having smooth and clear skin. With the sun coming out and the holidays just around the corner, it is more important than ever.
Hydration is important because the skin can easily dehydrate in hot weather, making it dry and flaky. When this happens, the skin cannot protect itself from irritants in the environment and if left untreated, could cause skin conditions such as eczema.
Drinking enough water is key, but so is taking care of our skin by using hydrating products, not just when we grow old but throughout our lives.
The importance of collagen
The skin loses collagen, and therefore elasticity, which is the known cause of wrinkles. Skin doesn't suddenly grow old at an advanced age, in fact, the ability to produce collagen decreases throughout our lives. It is estimated that we lose around 1% of collagen every year from the age of 30.
In addition, prolonged sun exposure further damages the skin. The sun's ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin and damage the elastic fibres that keep the skin firm, which allows wrinkles to develop. Wrinkles come down to a person's sun exposure throughout their life, so to combat the harmful effects of the sun, it is essential to use sunscreen and moisturise.
Treatment types
Depending on your skin type, there will be a range of different products for it. But whether you have oily skin, dry skin, or a combination, choosing the right skincare treatment is alpha and omega.
Sensitive skin should opt for very moisturising ingredients, while oily skin should go for products that limit sebum, an oily substance from the skin's glands.
Specific ingredients can be a blessing for the skin. Hyaluronic acid is important for moisturising and keeping the firmness of the skin. Its water-binding properties help to renew the skin while preventing early signs of ageing.
Similarly, glycerine has moisturising properties and attracts moisture from the environment to the skin's surface. Adding so skincare products is a helpful way to get dreamy skin.
Age-appropriate
There isn't a specific age to start moisturising your skin, as each person's skin regenerates at its own pace. Nonetheless, it is generally advisable to use anti-ageing products at around 30. At that stage, the skin reaches a certain maturity, making it all the more important to protect it by using sunscreen.
It is advisable for people in their 20s to moisturise as a preventative measure, and some companies have products that cater to young skin. Some people may have less elasticity in their skin due to their genetic heritage, but lifestyle plays a big role too.
Drinking alcohol is damaging because it causes the body and the skin to dehydrate. Sugar and caffeine don't do wonders for the skin as they are dehydrating. Eating fruit and vegetables to get the nutrients to help the skin regenerate itself is all the more important.
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For people in their 40s, the major skin issue can concern losing firmness, so choosing the right creams and adopting a healthy lifestyle is imperative. Finally, at around the age of 50 and 60, the skin starts to slacken and dry out, resulting in more pronounced wrinkles.
Ultimately, we cannot completely reverse the effects of ageing and time is a grinder that makes hamburgers of us all. But there are measures we can take to delay the effects of ageing and make our skin look fresh at any stage of life.
What is key is to hydrate and protect the skin to get the best skin you can. Hydration then becomes the gift that keeps on giving.
