FUTUREPROOFING: BUILDING COLLAGEN IN YOUR 20S TO LOOK YEARS YOUNGER IN YOUR 40S
Fighting wrinkles and loss of skin firmness is probably the last thing on your mind in your 20s. However, if you take a preventative approach to anti-aging, you’ll be able to look years younger in your 40s and beyond.
It’s true an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. When it comes to preventing the look of aging, including wrinkles and sagging skin, taking a few simple steps to building and preserving collagen now will yield remarkable beautiful results as you age.
Why focus on collagen? Collagen is a protein that sustains the body’s structure, and gives skin its look of firmness. Skin with an abundance of collagen is skin that looks smooth, firm and wrinkle-free.
One of the most important steps to building collagen while you’re young is using high percentages of AHAs such as lactic acid. This should be a cornerstone of your skin care routine because lactic acid and other AHAs boost your skin’s production of collagen. If you’re not using a high-level AHA currently, I suggest our Dramatic Transformation Cream SPF 18 which contains 10% lactic acid at the proper pH level.
It also provides sun protection, which is my second tip. Sun damage destroys collagen, leading to wrinkling, sagging skin and dark spots. Using sun protection daily seems like a minor thing, but it really does make a difference because sun damage is cumulative. If you crave a subtle warm glow to your skin like I do, sunless tanner is the safest alternative available. Sun damage not only causes premature aging, but it also carries skin cancer risks. With so many sunless tanner options to choose from, you will find one that works with your skin tone to give you the most natural color for you. My current favorite is Vita Liberata 10-Minute Tan.
You may be sabotaging your collagen and causing wrinkles unknowingly with your sweet tooth. Sugar makes collagen brittle, and when collagen becomes brittle, wrinkles form. I stopped eating sugars – even honey – a year ago and rarely use any sweetener, even stevia, now. It sounds challenging, but the difference in how your body feels, beyond the long-term benefits for your skin, is worth it.
Finally, I recommend taking 2000-3000 mg of L-Lysine daily. L-Lysine is an amino acid that supports collagen production, healthy skin and healthy lips. As a side note, if you a prone to cold sores then taking L-Lysine daily is must to keep cold sores in check.
Incorporate these tips as part of your skin care ritual and you will be thrilled at how young your skin looks years from now.
Perfecting your skin is my passion!
