5 Essential Tips to Slow Skin Aging and Keep Your Glow ✨

Skin aging is a natural process, but some factors accelerate it. From sun exposure to lifestyle choices, the right knowledge and care can help the skin stay healthy, hydrated, and radiant. Here are five tips from Carolien Hoof, research scientist and skinfluencer at The Cosmetist, to protect your skin inside and out.

1. Sun Exposure Causes 80% of Skin Aging 

As much as we enjoy a good dose of vitamin D, sunlight is the culprit for skin ageing. "UV light determines 80% of how fast your skin ages," says research scientist and skinfluencer Carolien Hoof of The Cosmetist. "When the sun shines on your skin, free radicals are released: small molecules that damage your cells and thus ensure that your body, but also your skin, your largest organ, ages faster."

Sunlight is also made up of UVA and UVB rays. "UVB light is strongest in summer (and gives your skin that sun-kissed glow), but UVA rays remain fairly stable throughout the year. It effortlessly breaks through clouds and glass and penetrates deep into the skin, where they damage elastin and collagen fibres. The best tip: after your day cream, apply a sunscreen with SPF 50 to slow down the production of free radicals."

2. Lifestyle Impacts Skin Aging More Than You Think

Not only the sun, but also air pollution, smoking, and unhealthy food push up the age of your skin. Carolien: "A healthy diet with lots of vegetables and fruit provides your body with extra antioxidants that help neutralise free radicals. Also, never skip the cleansing step in your care routine. It's how you wash away those harmful air particles on your skin, as well as makeup residues. Without daily cleansing, your skin is damaged much more quickly."

3. Start Anti-Aging Products from Age 25

"Over the years, your body produces less and less in making hyaluronic acid and collagen, two crucial building blocks for the hydration and firmness of the skin," says Carolien. "From as early as age 25, collagen production drops by 1% every year. In the first five years after menopause, production even drops by 30%. The result? Your skin becomes drier, and lines are more noticeable. "I always recommend starting anti-ageing as early as age 25," she says.

4. Supplements Rejuvenate Skin from Within

"Supplements with extra collagen and hyaluronic acid are interesting tools," Carolien concludes. Ideally, you should combine a liquid supplement with collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamins and minerals with a daily silicium supplement. Silicon is, in fact, an indispensable building block for optimal collagen production. These two beauty supplements form the perfect duo to rejuvenate your skin from within.

5. Visible Results in Just 30 days

"With a smart skin care routine, you can expect visible results after three months," says Carolien. If you want to see a difference faster, it is best to combine this routine with additional supplements, as recommended above. Carolien: "I take a daily collagen supplement. If you want to focus extra on hydration, skin elasticity, and depth of wrinkles, I think it is worth it."