Age Correction

Aging is a complex process influenced by a variety of factors, both genetic and environmental. O Cosmedics offers the best anti ageing skincare which is formulated on the threshold of medicine to treat the five major causes of aging: Collagen Breakdown, Photo Defence, Oxidation, Inflammation and Glycation. 

Without a committed and active approach, combining the application of a corrective homecare skin health routine and regular in-clinic O Pro Dermal Planning and O Pro Dermal Active Treatments, these five causes and their domino effect will ultimately lead to deterioration of skin health, resulting in compromised skin function and visible early onset aging. If you’re looking for skincare for anti aging, it is important to unpack and understand these 5 major causes of skin aging:

· Collagen breakdown - Collagen and elastin fibres are the foundations which give skin structure, support, flexibility, and hydration. Imagine them as the foundations of a house, the stronger, healthier, and more supportive they are, the longer the longevity and integrity of the home. The structural support system of the skin, collagen and elastin begins to break down quite early in life and requires specific key ingredients to ensure constant renewal and protection. 

· Photo Defence - Photo-aging is a term used to describe the damaging effect of repeated sun exposure over a period of years without adequate protection and most importantly, prevention. The harsh climate in which we live, and love contributes to almost 90% of the visible signs of premature aging, hyper pigmentation and skin cancer and these damaging symptoms are prevalent amongst all of us. UV exposure contributes to the oxidation and destruction of all skin cells and the cells responsible for synthesising collagen and elastin, resulting in an inability for these cells to repair themselves and in turn function the way they were created to.

· Oxidation - When defining oxidation, think of how a sliced apple begins to turn brown when left out in open air. Oxidation is when the internal processes and structure of a live object (in context to the skin) are destroyed by environment, the air in which we breathe and the pollution within it. Oxygen molecules split and turn into free radicals which are tiny molecular scavengers with one job in mind: to destroy the natural tissues within all layers of skin. Once inside the skin (like the sliced apple) these free radicals will break down the cells structure, mutate their processes and ultimately lead to a break down in cell-to-cell communication. If the cells of our skin cannot communicate, they continue to fall apart. Antioxidants are the antidote to free radical damage and, whilst the body can produce its own antioxidants, it is simply not enough without topical support.  

·  Inflammation - Inflammation is classified in two ways: acute and chronic. The acute inflammatory process that skin undergoes is essential in wound healing and differs dramatically to chronic inflammation. Think of acute inflammation as an open wound or cut that essentially heals itself: a natural process. Chronic inflammation is the subtle and constant inflammatory process happening unbeknown to the naked eye and without an actual wound. Where there is chronic inflammation the skins immune system is impaired leading to the inability to heal and protect against invading organisms and allowing bacteria to enter the skin which leads to premature aging due to the constant breakdown of all skin structures and processes. 

·  Glycation - It saddens us to confirm that excessive sugar does lead to accelerating aging, as skin is literally fed the contents of our gut through the circulatory system. When there are excess sugar molecules in the body, they find their way to the collagen and elastin fibres within the skin and attach themselves. This binding to these important fibres leads to them becoming rigid, less elastic and dried out and therefore with an inability to regenerate into healthy fibres again, which ultimately leads to the skin presenting with deep wrinkles, loss of volume and a thinner appearance.

Overall, aging is a complex interplay of genetic, cellular, and environmental factors, and understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing strategies to promote healthy aging.

Building the best anti ageing skincare routine for your skin involves incorporating products and practices tailored to your skin’s needs which target key signs of aging, such as wrinkles, fine lines, sagging skin, and age spots. Here are some general tips to help you build your own anti ageing skincare routine:

• Use a gentle cleanser – Start your routine by cleansing your skin twice daily, in the morning and evening, to remove dirt, oil, makeup, and impurities. Use a gentle cleanser suitable to your skin type to avoid stripping the skin of its natural oils.

• Exfoliate regularly – Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, promote cell turnover, and improve skin texture and tone. When you’re considering skincare for anti aging, incorporate exfoliating products containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acid (BHA) into your routine to reveal smoother, brighter skin.

• Use a retinoid – Incorporate a retinoid (retinol, retinaldehyde, or prescription-strength retinoids like tretinoin) into your nighttime skincare for anti aging. Retinoids stimulate collagen production, promote cell turnover, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots, making them one of the best anti ageing skincare ingredients to fight aging skin.

• Use targeted corrector serums – Incorporate targeted corrector serums into your routine to address specific signs of aging, such as dark spots, hyperpigmentation or loss of firmness. Look for anti ageing skincare containing ingredients like niacinamide and peptides to support skin repair and rejuvenation.

• Keep the skin hydrated – Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin. This hydrating and anti ageing skincare ingredient keep the skin hydrated and plump. Use a hyaluronic acid serum or moisturiser to replenish moisture and improve skin elasticity.

• Protect with sunscreen – Protect your skin from harmful UV radiation by wearing sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days and during the winter months. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply every two hours, especially if you're spending time outdoors.

• Practice healthy lifestyle habits – Your anti wrinkle skin efforts could also be affected by lifestyle factors, which play a significant role in skin health and aging prevention. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, managing stress effectively, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

• Consider professional treatment - Consult with skincare professional to discuss advanced anti wrinkle treatments that can provide additional benefits and complement your at-home skincare routine. O Cosmedics offer cutting edge in-clinic skin treatments such as O Pro Dermal Planning and O Pro Dermal Active, which are serious corrective skin treatments that target specific skin concerns including aging.

Consistency is key when it comes to anti ageing skincare. Stick to your routine and be patient, as it may take time to see noticeable results. Adjust your routine as needed based on your skin's response and any changes in your skin concerns or goals.

Age correction skincare products work by targeting specific skin concerns associated with aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, loss of elasticity, and hydration. Here's how some key ingredients commonly found in anti wrinkle skincare products work to address these concerns:

• Retinoids (Retinol, Retinoic Ester and Retinaldehyde) - Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A that promote cell turnover and collagen production, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. They also help to improve skin texture and tone, minimise pore size, and enhance overall skin radiance, making them one of the best anti ageing skincare ingredients to fight aging skin.

• Vitamin C - Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to neutralise free radicals and protect the skin from environmental damage, including UV-induced photodamage. This anti wrinkle ingredient promotes collagen synthesis, which can improve skin firmness and elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and even out skin tone by fading dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

• Peptides – If you’re considering skincare for anti aging, look for peptides which are amino acid chains that stimulate collagen and elastin production, helping to improve skin firmness, elasticity, and overall structure. They can also help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin by promoting skin renewal and repair.

• Hyaluronic Acid - Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the skin, providing hydration and plumping effect. This hydrating and anti ageing skincare ingredient helps to improve skin hydration, smoothness, and suppleness, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles caused by dryness and dehydration.

• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) - Niacinamide helps to improve skin barrier function, regulate oil production, and reduce inflammation, making it beneficial for various skin concerns. Anti ageing skincare products such as anti wrinkle creams and serums works to minimise the appearance of pores, fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation, while also enhancing skin texture and tone.

• Sunscreen - Sunscreen protects the skin from harmful UV radiation, which is one of the primary causes of aging, including wrinkles, fine lines, sunspots, and loss of elasticity. Hailed as one of the best anti ageing skincare ingredients, sunscreen helps prevent photoaging and reduces the risk of skin cancer by blocking UV rays and preventing sun damage to the skin.

O Cosmedics incorporates these anti ageing skincare ingredients into our age correction skincare products which work synergistically to address multiple signs of aging and promote healthier, more youthful-looking skin over time.

The ideal time to start using age correction and anti wrinkle skincare products varies from person to person and depends on factors such as genetics, lifestyle, sun exposure, and individual skin concerns. However, it's generally recommended to start incorporating skincare for anti aging in your mid to late 20s or early 30s, even if you haven't yet started experiencing visible signs of aging.

For guidance on finding the best anti ageing skincare products and building an anti ageing skincare routine tailored to your skin, visit your nearest O skin clinic or start a live chat on our website with an O Skin Expert.