Whenever I meet with a new patient or attend a skincare conference, one question in particular is repeated more than others- “How do I get rid of <insert skin problem here>?”

Ladies, I wish that I could provide a one-size-fits-all answer here that would solve everyone’s aging dilemmas overnight.  Nothing would make me happier.  But the fact of the matter is that every single one of us is different with our own blessings and obstacles.

That means what may work awesome for me could deliver minimal results for my sister…and we come for the same parents!

So instead of providing actual advice today, I thought that it may be more helpful for you to understand the process your dermatologist goes through when making product recommendations.  That way, you can better understand what types of products will perform better for your skin type and any outside influences that could be going on as well.

What Causes Natural Aging?

Let’s start with the basics here- our skin naturally thins out as we get older.  This is due to diminishing levels of collagen in the skin as our estrogen levels begin to drop in our thirties.  Now, if you were smart enough to start using anti-aging serums back then, you may still look like you’re 35.  But we just don’t think that way when we still have our youth.

Take this to heart though- if you have a daughter (or granddaughter) getting into their mid-20’s, now Is the time to start educating them on proper skincare and good habits.

Once our skin thins out to a certain extent, gravity handles the rest and our facial areas begin to sag.  And once again, there is no complete remedy for this process other than making better decisions earlier in life.  Using a proper cleanser, moisturizing and using the right make-up for your skin type all make a big difference over 20-40 years.

What Outside Factors Cause Aging?

For some of us, acne, uneven skin tones and wrinkles come down to our DNA- you can thank your mom and dad for falling on either side of the hereditary lottery.  That’s why some women have flawless skin into their forties while others develop bad complexions in their teenage years.  Studies have shown that although diet and activity levels do play can play a factor in premature blemishes, our genes have just as much influence on how gracefully our bodies’ age.

Of course, UV exposure and certain environmental factors rapidly amplify the aging process, which is why proper skincare is a lifetime mission.  Wearing quality sunscreen, exfoliating the skin and properly moisturizing can all help to overcome bad habits to some extent.

Additionally, makeup plays a critical factor in how our skin ages.  This could be a blog post all by itself since there are countless pore-blockers and toxins in many of the cosmetics on today’s market, so I want you to develop one big habit right away.  Find a quality cleanser that works for your skin type and use it every single night before you go to bed.

This will not only give you a more youthful glow, but it also ensures that your anti-aging products are able to penetrate the epidermis and begin to reverse the aging process.

Anything Else I Should Be Aware Of?

One last point here- and it’s an important one.  As you naturally age, your skin tends to become drier and less forgiving to outside factors.  You’re only compounding that problem though if you’re sticking to the exact same cosmetics and serums without actual results.

For instance, if you’ve always had oily skin and it suddenly starts to become dry (or vice versa), then you’ll need to change up products to a creamier foundation that helps lock in the right types of moisture.  In fact, you may need to switch to an entirely different skincare line two or three times before you’re back on track.

Likewise, you’ll want to use less make-up later in life because it becomes much easier to clog your pores and slow collagen production even more than what’s natural.  Heavy concealers and thick coats of foundation may hide imperfections during the short-term, but they are not doing you any favors for the next ten to twenty years.  So lighten it up and give your skin a fair chance to fight back against Father Time.