A Top Dermatologist's 5 Best Anti-Aging Tips

A Top Dermatologist's 5 Best Anti-Aging Tips

Dr. Cynthia Bailey is a Board-Certified Dermatologist with more than 30 years of experience. She is also a prolific skincare blogger, so who better to share her take on the best anti-aging tips? You can’t turn back the hands of time, but with the help of Dr. Bailey and additional advice from the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) [1], there are some practical things that you can do to make sure your skin looks the best it possibly can, whatever your age.

Protect yourself from the sun

All dermatologists agree that the sun is the number one culprit when it comes to skin damage. This is why you should always try to protect yourself from harmful rays as much as possible. Dr. Bailey recommends zinc oxide sunscreens and says these offer the highest broad-spectrum protection possible, but there is certainly no shortage of sunscreen products on the market.

The AAD also says that you must try to protect your skin by avoiding the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. This can cause skin cancer as well as early skin aging. The academy recommends shielding yourself by wearing protective clothing, seeking shade when you can andusing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is water-resistant and offers an SPF of at least 30.

Use retinoids

Both Dr. Bailey and the AAD recommend using retinoids to reverse the thinning of the skin and other issues that are associated with getting older. Retinol is the best retinoid that you don’t need a prescription to obtain and can help with uneven skin pigmentation while stimulating the renewal of skin collagen.

Retinoids have a relationship with vitamin A and boost the turnover of cells. This can reduce the appearance of fine lines on your face while helping to exfoliate clogged pores. This means that retinoid can be an effective treatment for acne as well as for skin aging issues.

Retinoids are not for everyone, however, and you shouldn’t use them if they dry out or irritate your skin.

Try glycolic acid

This is an alpha hydroxy acid that can help you in the battle against skin aging. It can help to soften age spots while hydrating dry skin, preventing flaking, evening out skin tone, and building collagen.

Glycolic acid will also prompt your skin to create hyaluronic acid within its deeper layers. This will help to hydrate the skin to give you a more youthful and dewy appearance.

Vitamin C and other antioxidants

Dr. Bailey says that vitamin C can be useful in rebuilding skin collagen while improving the appearance of dark skin patches. There is a range of ways you can increase your vitamin intake, from taking supplements or changing your diet to using topical treatments.

Dermatologist Lauren Eckert Ploch is also an advocate for antioxidants and says that people can benefit from using an antioxidant serum. These serums can offer additional skin protection, improving the early signs of skin aging while preventing further damage from being caused by the elements. She also recommends the use of both retinoids and topical vitamin C, such as in this Hydrating Face Moisturizer, or this Day Serum, to help treat the dark spots often associated with sun damage and skin aging.

Dr. Bailey also recommends the use of green tea antioxidants. These can help to soothe skin redness and irritations while giving skin more power to fight the effects of sun damage and aging.

Lighten up

Skin lighteners can be used to treat the uneven skin tone or hyperpigmentation that is often associated with sun damage. Dr. Bailey recommends looking for the ingredient hydroquinone. Other lighteners include azelaic acid, arbutin and kojic acid. All of these can increase the evenness of your skin tone, which can be really effective at making you look good at any age.

All of these tips can add to your anti-aging routines, but it is worth remembering that you should ensure that the basics are covered as well. This means having a good daily skincare routine that includes effective cleansing and moisturizing.

Diet is also incredibly important when it comes to maintaining younger-looking skin, as is hydration. Plenty of water is a must if you don’t want your skin to look older than it has to.

[1] https://www.aad.org/news/age-and-skin-care