Collagen is a protein and is a fundamental building block in our skin. It provides the foundation and the thickness to our skin.
As we age, collagen breaks down slowly. At the age of 30 we have the greatest amount of collagen that we will ever have. As collagen production slowly decreases our skin loses its firmness, becomes thinner and slowly those gorgeous fine lines and wrinkles appear. Aging is a very natural process. There isn’t much we can do about it, and we should embrace the wisdom and experiences that comes with taking a few more laps around the sun.
However, when it comes to your skin, there are some key secrets you can implement to slow down the aging process and lessen the visible signs of aging.
Peptides, peptides, peptides
There is no doubt about it, if you are concerned about the signs of aging then you need to start incorporating peptides into your skin routine.
Studies from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have shown that peptides send signals to the skin cells to produce more collagen. They are called ‘cell-communicating’ compounds - they send instructions to our skin cells to initiate cell-regeneration processes, including collagen production, elastin production and tissue repair.
More proteins = more collagen production = fewer wrinkles, firmer and smoother skin
Our personal favourite at SEEH Skincare is the RENEW Age Defence Moisturiser which contains Sacha Inchi peptides, derived from the ancient Incan superfood. In clinical studies, these peptides were shown to reduce skin sagging by 45% after 28 days and decrease skin roughness by more than 20% after 21 days.
Hydration station
As obvious as it sounds, when our bodies are dehydrated, our skin cells are also sallow, dull and dry. Don’t forget that as humans we are 70% water (a cucumber with anxiety amiright?!?), and as the skin is your largest organ it is important to look after it.
Replenishing hydration levels, both topically through hydration-boosting skincare and by drinking more water throughout the day, not only keeps your body functioning at its peak but also plumps the skin which gives it a more youthful appearance.
It you are unsure where to start with upping your hydration, start by drinking 2-3L of water a day, and take a look at the ready-made skincare routine available in the SEEH Skincare HYDRATION Bundle.
Reduce Inflammation
This one is a little more complicated to master as there are so many inflammatory triggers out there, and your response to them is very individual. Inflammation can be caused by a reaction to different foods, alcohol or drugs, exposure to certain environmental factors, or inherent disease or illnesses - just to name a few sources. Inflammation can take a toll on so many systems in our bodies, from digestive, circulatory, immune to respiratory. It can even impact on hormone levels.
In your skin, inflammation shows up as an acceleration of the general signs of aging, dullness, redness, puffiness and pigmentation and breakouts/acne.
Simple actions you can take to manage inflammation include getting enough sleep, managing stress levels and exercising regularly. It is also important to avoid processed foods and refined sugars (if possible!) and make sure you are getting a great selection of macro and micronutrients in your diet.
Of course if you have chronic or systemic inflammation or you are unsure of the source of your excess inflammation it is wise to talk to a medical professional to get advice specific to your needs.
Aunty Who? Antioxidants!
If you are serious about slowing down the aging process, then you need to increase your antioxidants and, in turn, reduce those pesky free radicals.
Free radicals are present in everybody. Our body creates them to neutralised harmful bacteria and viruses. However, they are also produced due to environmental triggers such as UV exposure and pollution. If there is an over production of free radicals, they can begin to attack both harmful and healthy cells in our body.
Antioxidants are free-radical scavenging. They seek out the free-radicals and neutralise them, which means they can’t cause any more damage in our bodies and in turn prevent the signs of premature aging. The most popular antioxidants are Vitamin E, Vitamin C and other common superfoods. Try our NOURISH Superfood Facial Oil for a potent kick of topical antioxidants.
Exfoliation
Regular exfoliation helps promote skin cell turn over and stimulates blood flow. By increasing the rate of skin cell turnover in the skin and removing the dead cells we bring new cells to the skins surface which gives a more youthful appearance. Increased blood flow to the skin also boosts the natural rejuvenation processes in the skin like collagen and elastin production which keep your skin looking firm and supple.
We recommend a mix of chemical and physical exfoliation for optimal results. Try using the SEEH Skincare CLEANSE SMOOTH Duo one to two times a week and include the CLARIFY Matcha Clay Mask with the added benefits of fruit AHAs as a special treat once a week. Your skin will not only be feeling smoother, brighter, softer, and healthier but also plumper and more hydrated.
Slip, slop, slap!
The number one most common cause of premature aging is sun exposure. While sunshine is incredibly important for Vitamin D levels, bone strength and general happiness, sun exposure can also lead to pigmentation, dehydration and an uptick in visible wrinkles and fine lines.
It is therefore incredibly important that you apply sunscreen (at least SPF30+) EVERY SINGLE DAY to prevent further effects from sun damage and pigmentation.
If this is all too overwhelming, we have curated a really simple three step skincare routine to get you on the right path. The AGE DEFENCE Bundle includes a REFRESH Balancing Hydration Mist (for hydration and anti-inflammatory benefits), a NOURISH Superfood Facial Oil (for a dose of antioxidants) and the RENEW Age Defying Moisturiser (containing 3 clinically proven anti-aging ingredients including peptides!).
As always, please feel free to contact us for any tailored advice.
Kim @ SEEH Skincare xx
Comments
I learned a lot about collagen and how to slow down aging. Especially the part about sun exposure being the number one cause of premature aging – that’s something I never knew!