You are never too young to start taking care of your skin. The nourishment and protection you put in now will benefit you for years to come. The better we take care of our skin by feeding it nourishing ingredients, and protecting it from damage, the slower our skin will age.

We can look healthy in our 40’s and 50’s, our skin can stay soft and radiant. It is possible to age gracefully and look great while doing it.

This page is going to provide you with everything you need to know to take the best care of your skin, how to prevent and reduce wrinkles, age spots, or discoloration.

We know you want a natural approach to anti-aging and we are here to provide you with the information you need to know to have the best organic anti-aging regime possible.

A basic knowledge of how your skin ages will help you understand how best to treat it in order to prevent damage and accelerated aging. In all life stages, eating a good diet, getting enough sleep, taking time to relax, and avoiding UV damage are the best ways to keep your skin looking it’s best.

​Anti-Aging Routines by Skin Type

​Anti-Aging By Age

In your 20’s your skin contains plenty of what it needs to maintain collagen integrity, keeping your skin smooth, firm, and plump.

This is the time for prevention. Wear a sunscreen everyday to protect your skin from UV damage. Taking care of your skin by properly washing it and caring for it will go a long way to prevent aging.

Clay masks and exfoliates  such as scrubs, fruit enzymes, or glycolic acid can be used for pick-me-ups if your skin is looking dull.  Vitamin C products will help skin repair any damage and keep collagen intact. Retinol is not needed at this stage. 

Anti-Aging I​ngredients to Use:

• Vitamin C  products to help repair skin damage and keep collagen intact.
• Hyaluronic Acid for plumping the skin and keeping wrinkles at bay.
• Glycolic Acid to exfoliate and brighten the skin.  Also to stimulate new collagen. 
• Niacinamide  to help with pigmentary conditions, even the skin tone, and brighten the skin.

In your 30’s hormone levels drop and levels of collagen and elastin decline. Skin-plumping hyaluronic acid is no longer being produced as readily. Cell turnover decreases and dry skin can become a common issue.

At this time, you will want to use products containing potent antioxidants to repair and prevent damage, keep using your sunscreen and seek products containing hyaluronic acid to keep your skin moist and plump.

Anti-Aging Ingredients to Use:

• Chemical exfoliates such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid to brighten skin and keep pores clear.
• Antioxidant serum to repair damage and keep skin healthy. 
• Fruit enzyme peels or masks to keep skin looking fresh and young. 
• A natural retinol alternative for stimulating cellular turnover. 
• An eye cream to prevent aging around the eyes. 
• Facial oils for hydrating the skin. 
• Niacinamide  to help with pigmentary conditions, even the skin tone, and brighten the skin.

During your 40’s there is less firmness, elasticity, and moisture. Skin can become dry and dull, with more visible wrinkles, capillaries, age spots, and broken blood vessels.

During this stage of your life, you should be using chemical exfoliates like Glycolic acid to help get rid of the dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of your skin, making it appear dull. Keep using antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and sunscreen daily. You can now invest in a wrinkle reducing, at-home laser (see our pick here). If you want exceptional results, start using products containing retinols (more on these below).

Anti-Aging Ingredients to Use:

• Glycolic acid - stimulate new collagen and keep skin from looking dull. 
• Wrinkle reducing skin care tools such as lasers or radio-frequency devices.
• Retinol-like products that stimulate cellular turnover. 
• A potent eye cream containing kojic acid, caffeine, or Vitamin C. 
• Fruit enzyme masks or peels. 
• A potent antioxidant serum to help repair damage. 
• Ceramides and peptides in moisturizers or serums. 
• Facial oils for hydrating the skin. 

When you reach your 50’s you start loosing much of your collagen, and therefore your moisture and glow. Your skin thins and stretches, eye lids become hooded, spider veins become more visible, and lines become deeper. Sometimes the skin barrier gets weaker at this age and your skin will become more sensitive. You want to find products that help keep your skin barrier intact. 

This is a time to simplify your skin routine, too many products can irritate your skin. Look for moisturizers containing ceramides to lock in moisture. Non-fractional laser therapy can help keep your skin’s collagen production going.

Anti-Aging Ingredients to Use:

• An eye cream is a must at this stage. 
• Ceramides and peptides in moisturizers or serums. These will help keep skin hydrated and reduce the look of wrinkles.
• Facial oils for restoring lipids to the skin's barrier. 
• Wrinkle reducing skin care tools such as lasers or radio-frequency devices.
• Fruit enzyme (such as pumpkin, papaya, or pineapple) products. 

​Anti-Aging Routines for Your Skin Type

A​nti-Aging Ingredients

Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that reduces damage done by free radicals. It also speeds up cellular turnover, revealing fresh new skin, and promoting the formation of collagen.

There are 2 types of Vitamin A found in nature:

1. Carotenoids which are found in plants.
2. Retinoids which are found in animals. 

Carotenoids are precursors to Vitamin A – the body must convert them to retinol before it can use it. Animal sources of Retinol can be instantly utilized by the body.

Here I will discuss the use of carotenoids for anti-aging. I will talk about retinoids further below.

SIGNIFICANT STUDIES

• Topical beta-carotene protects against infra-red-light-induced free radicals.
• Topical beta-carotene is converted to retinyl esters in human skin.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

• Rosehip Seed Oil
• Carrot Oil
• Sea Buckthorn Oil

A vitamin A derivative that speeds up cell turnover, gets rid of dullness-causing dead skin cells, and stimulates cellular repair, thus boosting collagen and elastin. It is a very potent anti-aging ingredient that offers real results. The problem with Retinol is that it causes your skin to become more sensitive to UV radiation, and it cannot be used when you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

EWG’s Skin Deep Database gives retinol a very high hazard rating, stating that it is photomutagenic and can cause cancer when exposed to UV light. There is some controversy over this conclusion, with many dermatologists claiming it is not true. You can read this article for more info on the retinoid controversy.

I personally don’t use retinoids, as I feel the risks out-way the benefits. I instead use antioxidant rich plant oils, Vitamin C, and exfoliating enzymes (I like Kypris’ Moonlight Catalyst). If you are going to use a retinoid, only use it at night and be diligent about using a sunscreen during the day.

SIGNIFICANT STUDIES

• Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCT

• Mad Hippie Vitamin A Serum

This anti-aging ingredient increases hydration and reduces redness. This vitamin suppresses melanin from reaching the surface of the skin as well as protecting the skin from UV damage. Too much melanin results in freckles, age-spots and hyper-pigmentation.

Vitamin B3 is proven to boost the production of ceramides and fatty acids, essential components of your skin’s outer protective barrier. It is an excellent ingredient for dry or sensitive skin, as it helps keep moisture in and irritants out.

SIGNIFICANT STUDIES

• The effect of 2% niacinamide on facial sebum production
• Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance
• The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer

RECOMMENDED VITAMIN B3 PRODUCT

• Niacinamide Vitamin B3 Cream Serum

READ MORE

• Niacinamide For The Skin : Benefits For Acne, Aging and Rosacea

A proven anti-aging ingredient that mops up the free radicals that trigger wrinkling and sagging. Vitamin C smooths and firms the skin while fading brown spots. It has been proven to increase collagen production, thus reducing the signs of aging.

SIGNIFICANT STUDIES

• The role of vitamin C in pushing back the boundaries of skin aging.
• Vitamin C in dermatology.

RECOMMENDED VITAMIN C SERUM

• My Skin’s Friend Multi-C Serum

READ MORE

• The Best Organic Vitamin C Serum
• Vitamin C Serum Face Benefits : Proven Results

Ceramides are a natural component of human skin, being found in all 4 layers of the epidermis. They make up 50% of the skin’s protective barrier, and function as moisture retainers as well as cell activity regulators. A reduction in the amount of ceramides present in the skin can result in dry skin, dermatitis and wrinkles.

Topical application of ceramides help restore the skin’s natural protective barrier and increase its moisture levels. There are 9 types of ceramides and they are labeled on ingredients lists as ceramide with a number following it.

SIGNIFICANT STUDIES

• Topical emulsions containing ceramides: Effects on the skin barrier function and anti-inflammatory properties
• Repair of acetone- and sodium lauryl sulphate-damaged human skin barrier function using topically applied emulsions containing barrier lipids
• Role of ceramides in barrier function of healthy and diseased skin

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

• Skin by Pom Moisturizing Serum
• COUI Skincare Golden Serum

Also known as ubiquinone, this fat-soluble compound is found in all human cells. There are a handful of studies that suggest that Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can have an effect on the skin by reducing wrinkles and UV damage, as well as stimulating collagen production and combating free radicals.

Topical application of CoQ10 has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It is a small molecule that easily penetrates the skin.

SIGNIFICANT STUDIES

• Topical treatment with coenzyme Q10-containing formulas improves skin‘s Q10 level and provides antioxidative effects.
• Accelerated Regeneration of ATP-level After Irradiation in Human skin Fibroblasts by Coenzyme Q10.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

• Mahalo’s Rare Indigo Beauty Balm
• Kypris Beauty Elixir II
• COUI Skincare Golden Serum

Vitamin E is actually a family unit consisting of 2 main branches: tocotrienols and tocopherols. Each of these branches contain 4 different kinds of molecules (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta), totaling 8 distinct forms of Vitamin E.

Vitamin E is a potent, fat-soluble antioxidant that is essential to healthy cells. Vitamin E prevents dryness and protects the skin by eradicating free radicals. It reduces damage done by UV light and pollutants. Vitamin E works best when combined with other antioxidants such as Vitamin C. Pure Vitamin E oil can be irritating to the skin of some individuals, so it is best to use it in lower concentrations.

SIGNIFICANT STUDIES

• The role of vitamin E in normal and damaged skin
• The effects of vitamin E on the skin lipid peroxidation
• Protective effect against sunburn of combined systemic ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and d-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E).
• α-Tocopherol protects keratinocytes against ultraviolet A irradiation

RECOMMENDED PRODUCT

• Eminence Triple C and E Firming Oil

An effective topical antioxidant that is derived from plants. It is extremely potent and is often mixed with Vitamins C and E to increase their effectiveness and keep them from oxidizing. Studies have shown that Ferulic acid’s antioxidant power increases when it is exposed to UV light.

SIGNIFICANT STUDIES

• Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin.
• Ferulic acid inhibits UVB-radiation induced photocarcinogenesis

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

• Kypris Beauty Antioxidant Dew
• Cleopatra Beauty Care Anti-Aging Facial Serum

The key compound that gives green tea it’s anti-aging properties is Epigallocatechin Gallete (EGCG), a potent antioxidant that is 25 – 100 times stronger than Vitamins A, C and E.

EGCG prevents UV damage to cells as well as blocking the ‘crosslinking’ of collagen that accelerates cell aging. Green tea polyphenols enhance the creation of interleukin-12, which has a role in DNA repair.

You don’t need much green tea to see results. Swiss researchers have concluded that a 0.4% extract of green tea applied over a five week period displayed powerful photochemoprotective effects.

SIGNIFICANT STUDIES

• Protective Mechanisms of Green Tea Polyphenols in Skin
• Skin photoprotection by green tea

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

• Eminence Green Tea an Guava Fortifying Serum
• John Masters Organics Hydrating Face Serum with Rose and Green Tea

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is naturally present in our skin and has a strong water-binding ability, it helps our skin stay moist and firm. HA has a greater capacity to hold moisture than any other synthetic or natural polymer, one gram of HA can hold up to 6 liters of water! Levels of HA present in our skin decrease with age.

Topical HA application can increase the moisture content in our skin as well as strengthen the skin’s protective barrier. HA also acts as an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory effects. Because it plumps the skin, fine lines are reduced and the skin looks younger.

Sodium hyaluronate is a salt derived from Hyaluronic acid. It has a smaller molecular weight than HA, allowing it to penetrate the skin better.

Hyaluronic acid and Sodium hyaluronate  are tolerated by all skin types, being gentle enough for sensitive skin and light enough for oily skin.

SIGNIFICANT STUDIES

• Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment.
• Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

• Odacite Deep Hydration Masque
• Odacite Night Time Repair Serum
• Asterwood Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum

This Vitamin is technically known as phytonadione. It is claimed that Vitamin K will diminish dark circles under the eyes, but there are not many studies to prove this.

One study showed that a mixture of Vitamin K, retinol, Vitamin C and Vitmain E reduced dark under-eye dark circles, but the results cannot be attributed to Vitamin K alone.

Another study showed a shortened duration of post-laser discoloration by applying a cream of Vitamin K and retinol.

SIGNIFICANT STUDIES

• Effects of Topical Vitamin K and Retinol on Laser-Induced Purpura on Nonlesional Skin.
• The effects of topical application of phytonadione, retinol and vitamins C and E on infraorbital dark circles and wrinkles of the lower eyelids.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCT

• Prickly Pear Seed Oil is a natural source of Vitamin K.

Kojic acid is a fungal metobolic product. It is a completely natural compound that stops the production of melanin in your skin. This means that kojic acid is a natural skin lightener.

Kojic acid resists oxidization and spoilage, so products containing it will have a long shelf life. It is safe to use and does not have the negative side effects that chemicals like hydroquinone can have.

SIGNIFICANT STUDY

• Evaluation of a kojic acid, emblica extract, and glycolic acid formulation compared with hydroquinone 4% for skin lightening.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

• HYKO! Hyaluronic & Kojic Acid Skin Brightening Serum
• Velentia Pure Glow Brightening Moisturizer

Peptides are proteins made up of long or short chain amino acids. They are the building blocks of protein. When short chain peptides are applied to the skin, they can penetrate the upper layer of the skin and signal the cells, telling them how to function.

It is claimed that peptides applied to the skin trick your body into thinking that collagen has broken down and it needs to produce more. A popular signalling peptide used for this purpose is palmitoyl pentapeptide (Matrixyl).

Copper peptides are a popular anti-aging ingredient. The idea is to attach copper to a peptide so that it can be delivered to the skin cells. Copper seems to promote collagen production and acts as an antioxidant. Copper peptides have been shown to accelerate wound repair.

Peptides used in skin care are mostly synthetic, giving the lab technicians more control over their stability and effectiveness. There are a handful of natural skin care products containing peptides that are worth giving a try.

SIGNIFICANT STUDIES

• Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin.
• Role of topical peptides in preventing or treating aged skin

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

• Teva Organic BioScience Complex II
• Mad Hippie Peptide Cream
• Moss Skincare Potenci Dermal Lifting Hydrating Milk

An enzyme that naturally occurs in the body, super oxide dismutase breaks down free radicals. It acts as an antioxidant and helps repair cells and reduce damage done by superoxide, the most common free radical in the body.

This potent compound is 3500 times stronger than Vitamin C in it’s ability to fight the damage of free radicals.

This enzyme decreases as we age, so topical application will help the skin stay youthful for longer.

SIGNIFICANT STUDIES

• Topical application of superoxide dismutase cream.
• Topical superoxide dismutase reduces post-irradiation breast cancer fibrosis.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCT

• Kypris Beauty Antioxidant Dew

Conclusion

Well there you have it, everything I can say about anti-aging! I hope that this article helps you in your quest to look your best. Remember that a good anti-aging routine starts with protecting yourself from sun damage and ends with using proven anti-aging ingredients to protect and restore your skin’s youth.

​A​nti-Aging Articles:

• Glycolic Acid Skin Benefits : Instantly Younger Looking Skin
• Vitamin C Serum Face Benefits : Proven Results
• Glycation of the Skin-How to Prevent Aging
• How to Treat Age Spots Naturally
• Does Radio Frequency Skin Tightening Work?
• The Best Essential Oil for Eye Wrinkles
• Top 5 Tips to Keep Your Skin Looking Young and Fresh
• Niacinamide For The Skin : Benefits For Acne, Aging and Rosacea
• Start Using Anti-Aging Products in Your 20s
• The Importance Of Sun Protection for Anti-Aging