The 3 Most Overlooked Habits for Maintaining Beautiful Skin

Cleanse daily, treat, moisturise then repeat, right? It’s no secret that an emphasis on the right skincare habits has been big in beauty lately. From how to achieve that glass-skin finish, to minimising the appearance of texture or pores.

However, with-time our skincare goals can adapt and evolve. This is because our skin’s natural ageing process begins to take over. This often raises a key question for many, “How can I help my skin navigate the ageing process?” To find some overlooked skin care tips, keep on reading.

• Sun protection is #1 – UV radiation is the biggest cause of skin ageing. Use SPF 50+ daily and avoid sun tanning.
• Build a consistent routine – Daily cleansing, serums, and moisturiser plus SPF 50+. Exfoliate 2-3 times weekly.
• Hydrate properly – Men need 15.5 cups of water daily, while women need 11.5 cups of water.
• Eat for your skin – Focus on vitamin C (citrus, peppers) and linoleic acid (nuts, seeds).
• Sleep 7-9 hours – Poor sleep boosts cortisol, which can cause stress and skin ageing as a result.

What Happens to Your Skin As You Age?

Over-time, your skin decreases in its production of the anti-ageing proteins. Both collagen and elastin are responsible for the qualities associated with a “youthful” appearance. From skin plumpness, elasticity, to a lack of or minimal fine lines and wrinkles. This often leads to the look of skin sagging, as well as a bumpy skin texture.

Lower collagen and elastin is otherwise known as intrinsic ageing, this is because it happens biologically. On the other hand, extrinsic ageing occurs as a result of external reasons, like your environment. According to a scientific article by nature, the most notable causes of this are the sun and smoking.

See some habits for healthy skin:

Choose Sun Protection (Especially from the Aussie UV)

Did you know that the greatest reason behind skin ageing is the sun? In Australia, the sun is known to be particularly harsh partly because of the thinner ozone layer. This is because we’re situated in the southern hemisphere of the planet. This causes a higher entry of UV radiation from UVA and UVB rays.

A journal article by UOM positions ongoing ultra violet radiation as the accelerator of skin ageing. But not only in fairer skin complexions, but across a diverse type of skin tones. This is because the UV rays cause your skin’s proteins to break down faster, preventing your skin from bouncing back.

See how to maximise sun protection:

Your Sun-Safe Checklist

• Choose sun protection when there’s a UV of 3 or higher
• Apply SPF 50+ sunscreen as per its instructions (for better coverage)
• To maximise SPF 50+, apply 20 minutes before sun exposure
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours
• Reapply sunscreen straight after swimming or sweating
• Don’t neglect skin exposed to the sun, like the neck and hands
• Aim for sunglasses that meet AS/NZS 1067 for optimal protection
• Wear a wide rimmed hat that covers your hair, ears, neck and face
• Prevent direct exposure to the sun and seek shade where possible

Why Sun-Tanning is the Wrong Choice for Your Skin

Did you know that 1 in 3 young Australians are ok with sun tanning? According to statistics by Health Gov, tanning culture remains common among 18-30 year old Australians. However, that bronzed glow happens as a result of UV skin damage. Upon sun exposure, the skin boosts its production of melanin for skin protection, resulting in a tan.

However, tanning is detrimental to your skin’s proteins, collagen and elastin. This causes these to break down faster, prematurely ageing your skin. These signs of photoageing are hidden, often only becoming visible years later.

Explore Sun-less Tan Alternatives

Create a Glowing Skin Routine Just for You

The truth is, there’s no “One size fits all” when it comes to your skin. This means that it’s imperative to tailor your choice of skincare products, alongside the skin routine to suit your needs. However, you may find yourself asking, “How do I know what my skincare needs are?”

Before you begin, it’s important to know your skin well, and also establish some skin goals.

See how below:

Here’s How to Identify Your Skin-Type

Luckily, finding your skin type is a relatively easy process. To determine this, you can choose from one of the two methods below.

Taking a gentle cleanser wash your face thoroughly, but don’t follow this with skincare as you usually would. Instead, wait around 30 minutes, then inspect the finish that remains on your skin. If your skin is tight to the touch and has no oils then it’s likely to be dry.

On the other hand, oily skin will leave an obvious excess shine on your complexion. However, if you have skin that doesn’t show either of these major signs, it’s likely to be normal.

Blotting Sheet

The best way to do this method is by thoroughly cleansing your skin. Then, wait 30 minutes to begin this process. Focusing on your t-zone, blot the sheet across it carefully. Whatever remains on your skin will help you to identify your skin type.

• Oily Skin: Heavy oil across the entire sheet with visible translucent patches.
• Normal Skin: Light oil only in the T-zone area.
• Dry Skin: Little to no oil, meaning that the sheet stays mostly clear.

Know Your Anti-ageing Product Pillars

So, you’ve identified your skin type and are looking to the next steps. Caring for your skin is about understanding how it works. When you’re exposed to pollutants, dirt, and other environmental stressors during the day, the right routine is key.

See your product pillars-made simple:

The Cleanser

Removes all the impurities such as sweat, oil and makeup from throughout the day or night. This prevents pores from clogging, and as a result, the likelihood of breakouts and enlarged pores.

Key ingredients:

• Salicylic acid-Penetrates pores to dissolve oil and debris
• Glycolic acid-Gently exfoliates while cleansing
• Micellar water-Attracts dirt like a magnet without stripping skin

The Exfoliant

Frequent skin exfoliation removes the build-up of dead skin cells. All of which are more common because of the skin’s lower cell turnover with ageing. It helps improve the appearance of texture, or dull skin.

Key ingredients:

• AHAs (lactic, glycolic acid)-Dissolve dead skin cells on the surface for smoother texture
• BHAS-Work deeper in pores to clear congestion
• Enzymes-Provide gentle exfoliation suitable for sensitive skin

The Serum

Providing a potent concentration of active ingredients, this can be a highly effective step. This is because it can stimulate the production of your skin’s essential proteins. All while delivering that intense hydration.

Key ingredients:

• Retinol-Boosts collagen production and accelerates cell turnover
• Vitamin C-Brightens skin and protects against free radical damage
• Hyaluronic acid-Holds up to 1000x its weight in water for deep hydration

The Moisturiser

Over-time, the loss of elasticity in the skin results in its dehydrated appearance. To help establish the look of plump skin, using a moisturiser frequently is essential. This is because the skin hydration can leave your complexion looking plump and dewy.

Key ingredients:

• Ceramides-Rebuild and strengthen the skin’s protective barrier
• Peptides-Support firmness and reduce fine lines
• Squalane-Mimics skin’s natural oils for lasting hydration

The SPF 50+ Sunscreen

Prevent the premature breakdown of your skin’s proteins, by using the highest UV protection. This prevents the visible signs of ageing from appearing, from fine lines, wrinkles to crows feet. Providing thorough sun protection for your peace of mind.

Key ingredients:

• Zinc oxide-Physical barrier that reflects UV rays
• Titanium dioxide-Mineral sunscreen that sits on skin’s surface
• Avobenzone-Chemical filter that absorbs UVA rays to prevent deep skin damage

Choose the Anti-ageing Skincare for Your Routine-Made Simple

Day-Time Routine: Glow and Protect

1. Cleanse your skin
2. Apply a serum
3. Use a day-time moisturiser
4. Apply an SPF 50+ sunscreen

Night-Time Routine: Treat and Heal

1. First cleanse with an oil-based face wash
2. Second cleanse using a water-based face wash
3. Apply an exfoliant (2-3 times weekly)
4. Apply a serum
5. Night-time moisturiser

What about other skin care products?

• Eye creams: Apply this product gently below eyes every-night as the last step in your routine.
• Face oil: For intense, potent hydration apply oils to mature skin after your serum.

Maintain a Wellness Lifestyle

You may have heard already that there’s a connection between your habits and ageing. But why? If you’re looking to maintain your skin over-time, there are some factors to consider. When doing so, this can help you to re-evaluate poor habits that may have gone unnoticed.

See some natural beauty tips:

Hydration and Skin Health

Keeping hydrated is absolutely essential for your health and wellbeing. Which is why, it’s recommended to drink plenty of water within your day-to-day. This is especially important for those who exercise regularly, alongside pregnant women. According to an article by NIH, it’s suggested that poor hydration is a major risk factor for biological ageing.

Here’s How Much Water to Drink:

Aim for the recommended level of daily water consumption.

• For Men: 15.5 cups of water
• For Women: 11.5 cups of water

Your Nutrient Intake

Your skin can reflect what you regularly consume. As research suggests a correlation between nutrient intake and its effects on skin ageing. According to a Science Direct article, vitamin C and linoleic acid were associated with an improved look of ageing. By consuming these in larger quantities, this can be beneficial.

Get Hours of Sleep Every Night

By missing out on sleep consistently, you can elevate the stress hormone cortisol, potentially causing wrinkle formation. In a Pub Med study, 60 women who are poor sleepers were assessed on skin ageing. As a result, poor sleepers demonstrated higher scores of intrinsic ageing when compared to the good sleepers.

How you can improve skin with sleep:

• Adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep
• Avoid screen time one hour before bed
• Opt for a silk pillow case to minimise friction
• Avoid sleeping on stomach or side to protect skin

When You Should Consider a Professional Opinion

When it comes to self care for better skin, some may feel that their skin goals aren’t met. At Results Laser Clinic, we understand that every person’s skin objective is different. We offer personalised skin consultations which can help you understand your skin better. Providing in-clinic options, such as skin boosters that can potentially align with your skin targets.

The Next Steps

Ready to elevate your skincare approach? Our team at Results Laser Clinic offers comprehensive skin consultations to assess your current condition and design a personalised treatment pathway.

Whether you’re seeking to correct existing damage or preserve your skin’s youthful vitality, we combine advanced clinical expertise with tailored guidance for your at-home routine. Book your consultation today and discover what truly radiant skin looks like.