Organic Anti Ageing Skincare: Myths and Truths

Every time an anti ageing skincare product or ingredient claims to fight wrinkles it subtly reinforces the message that ageing is a condition to be ‘cured’. This notion exaggerates the fear of what is simply a natural process, feeding into the anti ageing movement. Treating age as something that needs to be ‘fixed’ is demoralising for anyone over the age of 30. As women, we need to understand how insidious and sexist this anti ageing skincare terminology is – and how by taking a stand we can learn to celebrate beauty in all of its many forms. However we age, be it slowly or with a sudden wrinkling of the skin, let us be more interested in looking good rather than looking young.

How amazing is it to have the gift of life!

Is anti ageing skincare a myth?

The beauty industry would like you to believe that whether you have premature aging skin or not, you need special chemicals and isolated laboratory ingredients to make your skin appear more youthful. However, that’s not the case. If you want to have a great complexion you need to work on both the outside and the inside of your body. The anti-ageing skincare movement was fixated on ‘curing’ and promising eternal youth in jars filled with ingredients we no longer consider safe for our bodies. Women in particular have become disillusioned with empty promises. 

Indeed, as Helen Mirren said at a beauty industry event, “moisturiser probably does fuck all”. Women have been targeted by an industry that makes billions by fueling our fears; that as we age we are no longer ‘worth it’. However, a new holistic approach to skincare is on the rise and it’s about time! We know the connection between mind, body and soul and that when we feel good it reflects in our physical health, including our largest organ, the skin!

What is organic anti ageing skincare?

Ok, firstly, let’s not refer to this as organic anti ageing skincare. 

I think I’ve made my point about this whole concept. Whether you experience sudden ageing of the face or your journey to maturing is more slowburn, we’re not anti this inevitable and collective experience, we’re 100% behind it. There’s no such thing as natural anti ageing, there’s only natural ageing. 

With that said, let’s look then at the new emerging trends that are all about kindness and self-care. Women’s expectations of how they want to look as they get older are changing. Indeed, we are moving away from a fixation with wrinkles in favour of radiant skin – the new measure of ‘youth’.

So the key to having beautiful skin is really a combination of science and maintaining a few healthy habits such as sticking to a good diet (more greens on your plate and in your juices), regular exercise (whatever works best for you, for me it’s a quick swim and a daily walk), and using only high quality, natural skin care products (look no further than Franchine Young!) for a healthy and ethical approach to skincare.

Self-care routine for premature ageing skin

Just as other areas of your self-care may change over time, so too should your skincare routine. Here is the best organic skincare routine to preserve and nourish older skin, premature ageing skin and to promote a radiant, healthy glow.

Water

Drink six to eight glasses of water a day. It almost sounds too simple, but it’s very important to hydrate from the inside-out. Your skin is the largest organ of your body and it desperately needs to be hydrated. Moreover, water cleanses your body of toxins and hydrates your skin which always makes it look younger. Drinking water (lattes and fizzy drinks don’t count) keeps your skin supple and the rest of your body benefits, too!

Healthy foods

Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. The natural antioxidants in these fresh foods help strengthen skin tissue so that it repairs and rebuilds on schedule. The antioxidants and vitamins found in fruit and vegetables nourish both your skin and hair. Include more nuts and oils in your diet. Use extra virgin olive oil in your salads. Snack on walnuts, peanuts or almonds. These foods help your body lubricate the skin from the inside-out.

Fresh air

Get out of your house! You need fresh air and sunshine on a regular basis – and that doesn’t mean getting a suntan. Be smart and use a high number SPF sunscreen to avoid skin damage from ultraviolet rays (I use Madara SPF 30 – tinted and acts like a BB cream).

Go natural

If you haven’t already done it (see our blog on organic v non-organic), introducing natural and organic products into your routine is one of the best things you can do for your skin at any age. Your body absorbs about 60% of the products you apply topically, so it’s a ‘no-brainer’! Products that are 100% natural and organic will help keep your skin clear and smooth and radiant.

Consider a moisturising cleanser

Older skin is drier skin. As we age, our skin loses much of its natural moisture and oils, resulting in dry skin for most people. Organic liquid and cream non-foaming cleansers tend to help your skin retain its natural oil, keeping it looking fuller and smoother.

Products that contain fatty acids, such as borage oil, rapeseed oil and argan oil and cocoa butter are powerhouse ingredients for your skin. In fact, it’s no surprise therefore that we have it all packed nicely into our amazing Franchine Young Wonderbalm moisturiser/cleanser.

Use a gentle exfoliant

Exfoliating is a crucial step as your skin ages since it removes dead cells, leaving your skin looking smoother and younger. Aging skin generally does not need a daily exfoliant, however. Typically, once a week at the most is enough. Be sure to choose a product with all-natural ingredients, such as oats, that will exfoliate gently (see our blog on gentle exfoliators).

For some people, aging brings about new skin sensitivities. Use exfoliants sparingly to see how your skin handles the scrub. Apply the products gently and avoid vigorous rubbing to protect your skin. Although the removal of dead top-layer cells is important, keep in mind that aging skin is thinner and requires a gentler touch.

Time for a serum

As time marches on your skin demands more love. After cleansing, apply a thin layer of serum to your face to help rejuvenate the cells.

Seek out skincare choices that contain ingredients to help boost the skin’s production of elastin and collagen.

Because of their structure, serums can penetrate more deeply into the skin, addressing damage and signs of aging at a cellular level. This ability to work deeply is why it is so important to add a serum to your skincare products. We recommend Prickly Pear Seed Oil – see why in our FAQ.

Show your eyes some love

Since the skin under your eyes is thinner to begin with, it tends to be one of the first places to show signs of tired premature aging skin. Fine lines, puffiness, and dark circles are common complaints as we age.

All of the following age-related changes impact the skin around your eyes:

• Hyperpigmentation
• Loss of fat and bone
• Loss of collagen
• Blood vessel restriction and congestion

Getting enough sleep and avoiding cigarettes and high salt intakes will help keep the skin around your eyes in better shape. Sleeping on your back rather than on your stomach can also help reduce puffiness under your eyes since it keeps the blood vessels from becoming congested.

In our Mother Nature’s Method bundle you can choose from Wonderbalm, Prickly Pear Oil or Argan Oil to dab gently with the pads of your fingertips in the morning and again at bedtime. Since this product goes so close to your eyes, it is critical to choose certified organic ingredients!

Don’t skip bedtime skincare

When we are tired and ready for bed, following our organic skincare routine can be the last thing we want to tackle. But even a shortened process at bedtime is essential for helping to retain a ‘youthful’ glow.

Your whole body, including your skin, rejuvenates itself while you are resting. If your face still has makeup or sunscreen or other products on it, the pores may clog. Then your skin cannot breathe enough to go through its restoration process while you sleep. This can lead to deeper facial lines and dull skin – not the look most of us want. Take a few minutes for this important step, and your morning face will thank you for it.

And part of your bedtime skincare routine is the actual bedtime! Don’t skimp on your sleep. Having a rested body means having rested skin. Your skin will be able to fight the signs of aging much more easily if it has time to refresh and rejuvenate overnight.

Protect the skin barrier

Over time the skin barrier breaks down, allowing natural oils and moisture to escape and pollutants and irritants to get in. Once this happens, the skin takes on damage at a deep cellular level. Using products with natural, organic ingredients allows your body the chance to renew and replenish its skin barrier without causing you harm.

I hope you share my belief that anti ageing skincare and indeed organic anti ageing skincare don’t – or should not – exist. It’s skincare plain and simple! Please do contact us here at Franchine Young if you have any questions at all regarding your own skin routine – we’d love to hear from you!

SHOP NOW