Most anti-ageing skincare products promise the fountain of youth, but do they actually work? We debunk some of the common myths around anti-ageing skincare. And yes, some of these may really surprise you!
Myth # 1. The more expensive a product is, the better it is.
It’s not the price you should be swayed by, it’s the science. Just because a product is more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s more effective. Fancy packaging, branding and even the perfume they use will often mean you’ll pay way more for a product that isn’t actually as good as you think it is.
It’s a common misconception that you have to spend way more on anti-ageing treatments to get real results. The truth is, you can spend a lot less on some of the simplest and cheapest products out there. You just have to do a little research beforehand.
Pay attention to the ingredients in your skincare. Opt for the ones that have been tried and tested, and that promise scientifically-proven results. Look for hero anti-ageing ingredients like glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, retinol, ceramides, collagen, lactic acid and vitamin C, and always, always wear an SPF. This is your anti-ageing BFF.
Myth # 2. You don’t have to use anti-ageing products until you’re older.
It’s unlikely you’ll want to start using anti-ageing products until you reach your late 20s or early 30s, but microscopic skin damage can happen years before you actually see it, so you can start to use treatments whenever you like really. They can help ward off environmental damage and premature ageing.
Anti-ageing treatments target a range of skincare concerns, from wrinkles to inflammation to breakouts, so it really depends on your skin type and individual concern. For example, retinoids are great for both acne and anti-ageing, while glycolic acid treats hyperpigmentation, dullness, and signs of skin ageing.
Before you choose your product, you need to understand your skin type and the ingredients you’re using. Some of the more potent anti-ageing treatments have been formulated for older skin so they might be too heavy or rich for your complexion if your skin is much younger.
As the skin ages, it naturally produces less oil (sebum) which means your skin is much drier. Most anti-ageing products deeply hydrate, which can be tricky if you have oily skin, as this can cause clogging and breakouts.
Your best bet is to experiment with different products, and really pay attention to the ingredients you’re using to avoid any irritation.
Remember the one product you’re never too young to use is sunscreen! So, for younger skin, instead of trying to fight lines and wrinkles that aren't there, focus on protecting yourself from sun damage and keeping your skin hydrated. Use a daily SPF30 together with either antioxidants or retinol as a preventive measure.
Myth # 3. You can’t help getting wrinkles.
To some extent, your genes can play a role in how you age, but they aren’t the one and only cause. Most medical researchers believe that the majority of skin damage (and a number of diseases) can be put down to free radicals — unstable molecules that are produced in the body naturally as a byproduct of metabolism (oxidation) or by exposure to toxins in the environment such as cigarette smoke and UV light (from the sun).
The body can cope with some free radicals, but when there are too many it causes oxidative stress, which can damage cells, causing illness and premature ageing.
Free radicals can cause a number of skin issues, including wrinkles, dryness, acne, sensitivity, age spots, and even skin cancer. Whilst some free radical damage is unavoidable, there are certain things that make the damage much worse. Smoking, alcohol, stress, sunlight, pollution, lack of exercise, and diet can all accelerate this oxidative stress, not to mention add to your ageing woes.
So, to prevent potential damage, you need to reduce the amount of free radicals your body produces. That’s where antioxidants come in — they’re your best way of fighting them off. Antioxidants are compounds in foods that scavenge and neutralise free radicals. Increasing them through your diet and using them in your skincare routine, can help ward off those pesky wrinkles, as well as reduce your risk of illness, too.
Myth #4. Using an SPF make-up is the same as using sunscreen.
Just because you wear a BB cream with SPF, it doesn’t mean you’re safe from the sun's harmful rays. Unless you wear a foundation or tinted moisturiser with an SPF of 30 or higher and apply it every two hours, just like you would with your sunscreen, your skin won’t be fully protected.
You know that exposure to the sun without the right SPF means you’ll only get more wrinkles. The moral of this tale? ALWAYS wear sunscreen!
Myth # 5. Wrinkles are caused by smiling and frowning.
Actually, this one is true. Well, slightly. If you’re overly expressive, wrinkles, especially in the upper 1/3 of the face, will almost certainly start to show. That’s why Botox is so successful at treating the lines we get from frowning, smiling and raising our eyebrows — because it relaxes the force of the muscle contraction.
But wrinkles don’t just come from smiling and frowning alone. The loss of volume in the face is the real culprit. That volume loss occurs due to a natural breakdown of collagen and fat — oh the joys of getting older. There’s not much you can do to stop the natural ageing process, but there are thankfully ways to counteract it from a skincare perspective.
Apply topical treatments that contain peptides — these promote the skin's production of collagen, so will help your skin appear plumper and more youthful.
Myth #6. The more products you use, the better.
You might think that applying generous layers of your new anti-ageing wonder product will work twice as well, but when it comes to skincare, less is definitely more. If you use too much product, your skin is more prone to irritation, so only ever apply as much as the instructions tell you.
Myth # 7. You don’t need to wear sunscreen unless you’re in the sun.
We know we keep hammering this one in, but did you know that 90% of skin ageing is actually caused by over exposure to the sun? The sun’s harsh UV rays are one of the main culprits for premature ageing. So the easiest way to avoid unnecessary lines and wrinkles is to limit your time in the sun.
Try not to stay out in the sun all day, seek shade and cover your face and body where you can — and keep topping up your sunscreen. Wear a daily SPF30 or higher, even when it’s cloudy. UVB rays still get through on overcast days, and even through glass, so wear an SPF sunscreen (30 or higher) to protect your skin from the damaging UV rays.
Myth #8. You don’t need an eye cream when using anti-ageing products.
The skin around the eyelid skin is thin and delicate, which means it can show signs of ageing sooner than other areas of the face. Whist many anti-aging moisturisers work hard to keep ageing skin intensely hydrated, they can often be too harsh for the delicate skin around your eyes. Particularly retinol and exfoliating acids — the concentrations in face creams or serums can be too potent for the eye area, so it’s better to use a gentle eye treatment to avoid irritation.
Look for an eye treatment that specifically treats your skin concern, i.e. dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles, dry skin etc.
The best ingredients to look for include peptides, vitamins A + C, caffeine, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and retinol (in low concentration).
Myth # 9. Once you have wrinkles, it’s too late to get rid of them.
Sadly we can’t stop the natural ageing process, but the good news is there are plenty of youthful treatments out there to help reduce wrinkles and slow down the onset of ageing. The skin has a very clever way of restoring itself. Providing you pick the right skincare routine, the skin’s healing powers of recovery can be nothing short of miraculous.
Here are a few pointers to keep your skin in great shape and (almost) wrinkle-free:
- Keep it topped up with sunscreen.
- Use a gentle cleanser.
- Exfoliate dead skin — use chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid and lactic acid. You can also find these acids in toners, serums, and at-home peels.
- Plump it up with retinoids (vitamin A and C).
- Moisturise with hyaluronic acid.
- Use an anti-ageing serum.
- Brighten eyes with an antioxidant-rich eye cream.
- Increase your skin’s elasticity with collagen supplements.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Stay hydrated.
- Stop smoking!
If you don’t see visible results from any of the above, you can always consider alternative anti-aging treatments such as Botox, lasers, fillers, microneedling, dermabrasion or chemical peels.
Loved our anti-ageing skincare advice? We've got plenty more health and beauty advice on our Health & Wellness Edit, guaranteed to give your body a well-deserved boost. Is your skin prone to blemishes? Here are 11 skincare mistakes that could be seriously damaging your skin. Get the lowdown on the latest fruit stem cell science.
