I’m a beauty scientist – using key ‘building blocks’ in your routine can make skin look lifted with fewer wrinkles
SKIN can be rejuvenated with the routine use of key ingredients that diminish wrinkles and create a lifted look, revealed a beauty scientist.
Lene Visdal-Johnsen shared the most effective solutions for targeting common concerns linked to aging.
Visdal-Johnsen is the director of Scientific Research & Technology at the Swedish beauty company Oriflame.
She said external factors such as sun exposure, pollution, and lifestyle, combined with natural aging can make skin lose its youthfulness.
She said sunscreen is a “robust cosmetic solution” but we need more than that to defy the signs of aging.
Speaking to The U.S. Sun, she shared tips for reversing the signs of skin aging.
HYDRATION HEROS
Visdal-Johnsen said skin can appear dull and develop premature wrinkles when sebum production is compromised.
She said the skin’s natural oil-water balance is affected by time and the accumulation of external aggressions.
“By incorporating products enriched with moisturizing ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and glycerine, you can protect your skin from dehydration and attract moisture to keep skin hydrated,” she said.
“Ceramides are also great allies for strengthening skin barrier function and maintaining moisture in the skin.”
She added that niacinamide also plays a key role in maintaining a healthy skin barrier and has become common in cosmetics.
COLLAGEN BOOSTERS
Visdal-Johnsen said collagen and elastin lessen as skin ages but are “key players in maintaining its structural integrity.”
“Reduced collagen and elastin production causes the skin’s structure to collapse,” she said.
“Skin loses its youthful firmness, becoming less dense and plump than before.
“All of this leads to visibly sagging skin in need of a lift.”
She recommended boosting collagen and elastin production with peptides as they give a lifted appearance with fewer wrinkles.
“Peptides are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, basically, what our skin is mainly made of,” she said.
“Lower concentrations of retinol or retinol-like ingredients are also good for stimulating skin cell renewal and collagen production, thus improving skin texture.”
TEXTURE HEALERS
Visdal-Johnsen revealed that skin cell renewal slows down with age and environmental stressors worsen.
She said these factors cause dysfunction in skin pigment melanin production, resulting in the formation of dark spots and pigmentation disorders.
When is the best time to start using active skincare ingredients?
Lene Visdal-Johnsen said a study conducted at Oriflane revealed that chronological age doesn’t always reflect how old you appear.
She said the Swedish brand focuses on developing products that mitigate skin concerns rather than the age of consumers.
However, these are the typical age ranges when each ingredient is introduced into skincare routines:
“As needed from the teenage years – moisturizing ingredients,” she said.
“Early 20s – hyaluronic acid, niacinamide.
“Early to mid-20s – AHA/BHA [Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids].
“Mid 20 to early 30s – peptides.
“Mid-30s – Retinoids starting with low concentrations.”
“Incorporating antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E into your skincare routine can prevent and reduce these spots,” she said.
“Niacinamide is also helpful in achieving a more even skin tone.”
She said compromised sebum production can cause skin texture to become flaky and rough.
“Maintaining skin hydration and protection is the first step to overcoming rough skin texture,” she said.
“Chemical exfoliating agents, such as Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), e.g. glycolic acid, and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs), e.g. salicylic acid, are some ingredients to include.”