RAWKANVAS

Premature signs of ageing? Here’s what to do

For some of us, the thought and signs of ageing skin can be a not-so-desired part of getting older, and while ageing is a fact of nature, if you’d prefer to hold onto that youthful plumpness and glow a little longer... there’s some simple (and not so obvious) steps you can take! 

Adjust your sleep position 
Adjust your sleep position and prevent your face making friends with your pillow. Avoid side or stomach sleeping (easier said than done, we know!), but when your facial skin is moved and pulled against the surface or your pillow during the night, it can contribute to the development and deepening of facial lines and wrinkles. As an added bonus, sleeping on your back can also help to reduce facial puffiness (ugh, finally!). Fluid can build up and pool in one spot on your face when lying on your side or stomach, so by laying on your back instead, fluid build-up is evaded, reducing facial puffiness the next morning. 

Use a facial massager 
Speaking of facial puffiness... start each morning with a facial massager to de-puff, promote circulation and sculpt. When used correctly, a facial massager can encourage lymphatic draining too. You can follow the directions here! 

Avoid hot showers and use a gentle cleanser 
First things first, heat from hot water strips the oil barrier from your skin which can lead to skin becoming dry (and sometimes itchy and irritated too!). Similarly, using a harsh cleanser can also contribute to your skin barrier, contributing to premature ageing. So, use lukewarm water on your skin and look for a gentle, nourishing and hydrating cleanser like Clarity: Nourishing Dual-Phase Cleanser to remove your daily dirt, makeup and SPF. 

Add oil, both inside and out 
The older we get, the fewer natural oils our skin produces, resulting in drier skin, fine lines and wrinkles. Adding essential fatty acids to your diet such as nut/seed and plant oils (e.g. flaxseed, chia, walnut) can help aid and regulate your own natural oil production. When it comes to the skin itself, applying a facial oil like Yester Youth: Regenerating Facial Oil as the last step in your routine not only helps to seal in moisture from previous products, but helps to encourage skin cell renewal too – both hallmarks of younger-looking skin. 

Introduce vitamin C 
Not only is it one of the best antioxidants out there, vitamin C also helps to promote collagen production, reduce inflammation in the body and protect your skin from sun damage too. Incorporate foods into your diet that are rich in vitamin C like capsicum, broccoli and citrus, or add in a high-quality supplement. When it comes to what goes on your skin, vitamin C is great to apply in the morning as it works particularly well alongside sunscreen to fight free radicals and ultraviolet rays plus it has the added bonus of brightening and evening skin tone. Eternal: Plumping Deep Sea & Malachite Collagen Serum helps to inhibit collagen breakdown and diminish the signs of ageing for plumper skin and a firmer, more even complexion. 

Reach for the self-tanner and SPF 
As well all know, extended exposure to ultraviolet rays is one of the leading causes of ageing... Ultraviolet rays penetrate deep into the skin and damage the fibres that keep skin elastic and firm, allowing fine lines and wrinkles to form. The sun can also be responsible for pigmentation and sunspots, other hallmarks of ageing skin, so make sure to invest in a good quality SPF (50+) and reapply it throughout the day to keep your skin protected. Some sun exposure is absolutely needed and helps with that all-important vitamin D intake, but when it comes to bronzed skin, avoid a sun-baking session, and grab a good all-natural self-tanner instead. 

Bonus fact! Did you know that Australia has some of the most rigorous testing of sun protection products in the world? As it is regulated as a therapeutic good, the manufacturing standards are much higher then in other countries, so when investing in an Australian-made sunscreen, you know that the advertised SPF is exactly what it says it is!