Simple Anti-Aging Skincare Routine

Updated:

12 Nov 2024

I've been in the beauty industry for 4+ years now, although my background is originally in fine arts. In between researching and publishing our guides, I’m usually snacking and making spontaneous (and somewhat chaotic) choices about what to do with my hair.

If you’re at the start of your anti-aging skincare journey, you may be overwhelmed. There are unlimited product options and so many steps to remember … Plus, you have to do it all in the right order. So, we're going to help simplify things!

You don’t need to drain your bank account by buying the most expensive products or create a 20-step routine. You just need to follow our ‘Rule of Five’.

What makes an anti-aging skincare routine effective? It's easy to believe that the more products you use, the better your results will be. But in fact, careful product selection is much more important. The best way to approach your skincare regimen is to use five key products:

1. Gentle cleanser

2. Exfoliant

3. Antioxidant serum

4. Sun protection

5. Intensive night cream

You can easily add complementary steps to your routine, but these five products should form the foundation of your anti-aging regimen. These products are for all skin types and work to prevent and reverse the common signs of aging such as:

Hyperpigmentation / age spots
Redness from dilated capillaries
Loss of volume (loss of collagen and elastin)
Fine lines and wrinkles

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How to anti age with a simple skin care routine:

This simple anti-aging skincare routine is great for those new to skincare or just beginning their skincare journey. We'll show you 5 easy skincare steps with affordable products to get your skin well on the way to a beautiful and healthy glow.

Anti-Aging Routine Step 1: Gentle Cleansing

Cleansing removes potentially damaging impurities from your complexion. However, improper face-washing and harsh products may do as much damage as leaving your skin dirty can. Effective anti-aging cleansing should incorporate only gentle products that protect your skin's acid balance and moisture levels. It’s especially important to keep mature skin hydrated so it stays nice and plump, and shows fewer fine lines and wrinkles.

Here's a selection of some of our favourite mild cleansers:

Anti-Aging Routine Step 2: Exfoliation

When skin ages, cell turnover slows down. The surface layers of our skin are made up of dead cells. When these skin cells turn over in a timely manner, your complexion looks vibrant and healthy. When old cells remain in place for too long, skin begins to look dull, dehydrated, and tired. The best-known skincare acids are Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), which dislodge and remove dead skin cells. Without interfering with the skin’s natural moisture barrier, AHAs loosen the ‘glue’ that holds old cells onto the face, letting new cells shine through. Integrating an acid-based exfoliant into your anti-aging beauty routine not only keeps skin looking fresh and healthy; it also helps stimulate collagen synthesis.

Take a look at some of our favourite exfoliants below:

P.S. Newbies, you may experience a bit of tingling upon applying a product with AHAs. This is completely normal, although you should discontinue use if the sensation is very strong. Reddening may occur after use as well, and you might notice your skin flaking for a few days. Again, these reactions are nothing to worry about. They’re just signs that all those dead skin cells are coming off. Your skin will return to normal in no time.

Anti-Aging Routine Step 3: Serum

As skin matures, its own sources of vitamins and antioxidants are used up. Your skin contains reserves of these ingredients, but lifestyle and diet choices can deplete them. For this reason, an effective anti-aging skincare regimen should include a hydrating serum. Hyaluronic Acid, or HA, is one of the best natural skincare ingredients for hydration. HA boasts an outstanding ability to retain water within the skin while boosting collagen levels. As you age, your skin becomes unable to maintain hydration and therefore loses firmness and elasticity, leading to fine lines and wrinkles.

Due to its lightweight texture, Hyaluronic Acid is perfect for all skin types, from the driest of skin to oilier complexions.
Also, look for serums that utilise Antioxidants—your skin’s best friend! Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from damage from stressors like sunlight and pollution. These types of stressors speed up the rate at which skin ages. Antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E can also help skin rebuild lost collagen, which supports volume within the skin, preventing the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

Some of our best anti-aging serums:

Anti-Aging Routine Step 4: Sun Protection

Ever noticed how areas of skin consistently covered by clothing hardly age? Sunshine is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the sun keeps people, animals, and plants alive. On the other hand, UV rays damage skin and, in extreme cases, cause cancer. Of the aging factors that are within your control, sunlight is accountable for the highest proportion of skin damage. That means incorporating sunscreen into your anti-aging skincare routine is vital. Yes, even if it’s not a sunny day!

Remember, SPF is only one part of sun protection! Always seek shade, and wear sunnies, a hat and protective clothing. Use sufficient sunscreen for all unprotected areas and reapply sunscreen as directed. Frequent re-application or use in accordance with directions is required for effective sun protection. Always read the label. Prolonged high-risk sun exposure should be avoided.

Here's some our top picks for sunscreens to reduce the signs of aging:

Anti-Aging Routine Step 5: Intensive Night Cream

This final step is the crown jewel of an effective anti-aging skincare routine. Night-time is when skin regenerates best and therefore benefits the most from potent anti-aging products. An anti-aging skincare routine wouldn't be complete without a Retinol product—think of it as your skin’s superhero that fights off the bad guys (aka the signs of aging). ‘Retinol’ is the scientific name for Vitamin A. In the ‘80s, Retinol was found to reverse the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, Retinol can reverse most signs of aging.

If you haven't used Retinol before, ease into it! You want to be sure your skin has time to adjust to its strength, so use a Retinol product once a week to start. The week after that, use it twice. From there, start using Retinol once every two days while monitoring for a skin reaction. Also, remember to apply Retinol only at night, as this potent ingredient increases the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. And as we said before, wear an SPF during the day.

Some of our favourite anti-aging products with Retinol:

The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane (super affordable Retinol!)
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 30mL and SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0
Skinstitut Retinol 30ml

Take a look at some our fave anti-aging eye care products:

To earn bonus points on your night-time anti-aging skincare routine, try an eye cream. The skin under the eyes forms fine lines and dark circles thanks to both the aging process and environmental factors. Nourishing this delicate area can help reduce the signs of aging and rejuvenate the skin.

keep shopping anti-aging products

Now that we’ve got the basics covered, dive into our guides that are perfect for each age bracket:

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