How Skin Cell Turnover Changes Over Time
Did you know that our skin renews itself at different rates throughout our lives? As teenagers, our skin cells turn over every 14-20 days. In our 20s, this process slows to 20-28 days. By the time we hit our 50s, it extends to 45-55 days. What can we do to decrease this process?
Building a Good Skin Care Routine
A great skin care routine is an important step that can start at home. A quality cleanser should remove impurities, excess oil, and debris while leaving your skin soft, soothed, hydrated, and balanced.
Why Exfoliate?
Exfoliating is key to clear, smooth skin. It unclogs pores, removes dead skin, and helps reduce wrinkles and blemishes by boosting collagen production.
Choosing the Right Cleanser
Pick a pH-balanced cleanser that cleans without causing irritation. Water-based cleansers use gentle surfactants, making your skin feel lighter and cleaner and allowing deeper penetration than oil-based cleansers. However, oil-based cleansers are great for dry skin as they prevent moisture loss.
Benefits of Water-Soluble Actives
Water-soluble actives in skin care provide anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits, helping your skin heal, regenerate, and produce quality collagen. This reduces inflammation, boosts collagen production, and enhances firmness, helping your skin protect itself better.
Moisture vs. Hydration
Dehydrated skin lacks water, while dry skin lacks oil. Moisture comes from lipids, ceramides, and amino acids that create a barrier to keep hydration in. Hydration is the water in the skin’s surface layers, which supports this protective barrier.
Steps for a Perfect Skin Care Routine
- Cleanse: Start with a good cleanser to create a clean base.
- Apply an Active: Use a vitamin C serum to protect against damage, increase moisture, improve elasticity, and brighten skin. Follow with hyaluronic acid to reduce lines, smooth skin, and calm irritation.
- Exfoliate (a few times a week): Use a retinoid or retinol cream to renew radiance, even skin tone, improve texture, and enhance cell turnover.
- Moisturize: Lock in all the benefits with a good moisturizer.
Enhance Your Routine
Consider adding peptides, growth factors, toners, other vitamin creams (like vitamins E, F, D), and antioxidants to your routine for extra benefits.
Don’t Forget Sun Protection
Always use a quality sunscreen (SPF) to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
By following these steps, you can keep your skin looking its best at any age!
