There is absolutely no shame in growing old but, for many women, doing it gracefully and seamlessly is a priority. So, how can this be done and, particularly, what do we need to avoid?
We asked anti-aging expert Kate Kerr of Kate Kerr London to reveal the sins of aging - the habits, skincare routines and lifestyle choices that could be having a negative affect on our skin and general glow.
From what she won't leave behind when stepping out the door, to what she'd avoid before bed, here are six things an anti-aging expert would never do.
They say 80-90% of skin aging symptoms are caused by exposure to UV light. Sadly, the skin remembers every minute of sun it's ever had and this accumulation of oxidative stress leads to cellular damage and extrinsic skin aging.
This is my anti-aging superstar! This ingenious ingredient, a derivative of vitamin A, is a cell communicator that attaches to most skin cells and tells them to function like a younger healthier version of themselves. It improves skin texture, lines, and wrinkles and keep spots at bay!
Even after a late night out I make sure I double cleanse and apply my anti-aging serums before climbing into bed. Environmental pollutants accumulate in the makeup on the skin's surface and drive the generation of free radicals. This free radical attack contributes to the breakdown of healthy collagen and elastin - the proteins that provide structure within the skin. Not to mention a lackluster complexion with exacerbated breakouts.
This is proven to lead to skin sagging. The high impact of certain exercise, such as long distance running, causes micro tears in the skin's structure. Over time, this causes the skin to lose its ability to support itself, which results in skin sagging. Regular, intense, low impact exercise on the other hand has been proven to help slow and even reverse the signs of aging.
I try to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep a night. Not only is your skin most active at night - replenishing, restoring and repairing - but every hour you are asleep is one less hour you are awake and causing stress on the skin. When we are awake we are continuously creating lines through movement such as frowning and are exposing our skin to external aggressors such as UV and pollution.
I religiously give myself a DIY facial every Sunday. Application of targeted anti-aging products speeds up cell renewal, stimulates collagen production and increases nutrient and oxygen absorption in the cells. This helps achieve my goals of a younger more predictable skin with increased hydration and clarity.