Question: At what age should you be doing something about your skin health?

There are many different answers to that question and each are dependent on each individual consumer, however, it is probably a safe generalization to say that everyone wants a healthy, smooth, youthful skin appearance. With that being said, while you are young and still have a generally smooth skin complexion, anti-aging products just aren’t really a huge priority, if at all. In several reports, researchers have found that the average age of customers starting to use professional-grade skincare products is approximately 41 years of age. But skin health needs to be looked at as something more than just for mature people. It is ideal for any individual at any age, and it’s also more than just looking good on the outside. It has many internal physical health benefits as well. Today we’ll try to inform you on why it’s important to begin taking your skin health seriously in your younger years, rather than begin when damage is already apparent and visible.

Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Aging
Your skin is an organ, and like the health of your other organs, it directly correlates with the lifestyle and dietary habits that you choose, as well as with critical age related factors. Skin aging and damage are influenced by many factors that are typically divided into two categories: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic aging are factors that you have no control over. For example, heredity plays a huge part in your aging process. Everyone is born with a genetic pre-disposition on how fast or slow his or her natural aging process will take place. On the other hand, extrinsic aging has an extensively bigger impact on your skin, but can be controlled. Extrinsic aging includes environmental factors, bad dietary habits, and the biggest one: the sun.

The Sun—Skin’s Enemy At Any Age
There is no single factor of premature aging and skin damage that has a greater influence than sunlight. According to researchers, approximately 80% off all skin aging concerns stem from exposure to sunlight. Overtime, the effects of the sun and harmful UVA/UVB rays begin to show on the skin, forming as fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, discoloration, and creating a rough, uneven skin tone and texture. The most dangerous thing about exposure to sunlight is that it does not immediately show an effect on the skin, and therefore, most people are unaware of any damage being done until the signs appear visibly on the surface of the skin. This explains the demographic discrepancy within the Skincare Industry.

Prevention is KEY
Younger people do not immediately see an effect on the skin and therefore do not take action, while mature people do see the visible effects on the skin and begin to shop around for skincare products. But there lies the problem. Catching skin damage early can ultimately reduce the visible signs of premature aging and also decrease the need to use stronger, more aggressive skin care treatments later on in life. Doctor Elizabeth Hale, Vice President of the Skin Care Foundation and a Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at the NYU Langone Medical Center states, “In my opinion, as long as it’s done correctly, there’s no time that’s too early to start thinking about anti-aging.” She goes on to say, “I’m a believer in prevention, even in our twenties. Fortunately, with innovations in the Skincare Industry, you can dramatically slow and potentially reverse the signs of accelerated skin aging at any age.”

What Do You Recommend as a Preventative Measure?
Obagi is a leader in the Skincare Industry and has been used and proven effective by many worldwide. Obagi offers many different products that adhere to any skin concern as well as patients of any age. So whether you are in your twenties looking to begin skin maintenance, or you have more mature skin and looking for stronger treatments, Obagi Medical has something for you. To begin with Obagi has created the 360 System. The Obagi 360 System is a revolutionary proactive skin care regimen that is designed specifically to combat the skin care needs of younger patients. The system actively improves the skin texture and tone, while helping to lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy, radiant skin. The 360 System also helps to reduce large pores on the skin as well as fade any minimal premature aging signs on the skin.

While the Obagi 360 System is great as a whole kit option, here are some individual products you may want to look into.

The Neocutis Journee Day Cream SPF 30 is a great option for those looking for a beginning anti-aging regimen. Neocutis Journee Day Cream SPF 30 is a multifunctional cream that helps restore moisture and provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30 sun protection. A combination of moisturizer, anti-aging cream, and sunscreen SPF 30 help rejuvenate, hydrate, protect, nourish, and revitalize skin’s appearance; all in just one application! Key ingredients include Green Tea Extract, Vitamins C and E, and of course PSP, a blend of nourishing polypeptides and proteins to significantly reduce the effect of environmental stressors on the skin that lead to premature aging. This is available in many different sizes and can be found here: Neocutis Journee Collection.

If you tend to gravitate towards more organic skincare products, here is one we highly recommend: Eminence Organic Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum. It is a fast-absorbing, advanced serum for all skin types. This potent dose of non-irritating Vitamin C is stabilized by botanically derived ferulic acid to deliver optimal antioxidant benefits and improve the appearance of skin. Check out this and other great Eminence Organics products right here.