What is the right age to start using anti-aging cream?

The skin changes over time and aging comes for everyone. The visible signs of skin aging are caused by a mix of factors, some of which are genetic and cannot be controlled.

However, there are factors that cause aging that we can eliminate simply by starting to take care of our skin. 

The habit of a proper skincare can indeed play a much more important role than genetics when it comes to skin aging. This means that one can really do a lot to withstand the test of time on their skin, but to do so, it is necessary to carefully understand the factors that cause aging and how to stop them to stay young longer. 

"Maybe it's not a concern you think you need to address, not yet. But you are starting to think at what age you should start using an anti-aging cream."

In fact, as we will see shortly, there is no precise age at which the skin begins to age and show the first fine lines. 

Skin aging actually includes several factors such as skin type, lifestyle, exposure to harmful external agents and much more, all of which are controllable causes.

But when to start doing it? What is the right age to start targeted anti-aging treatment?

What is skin aging and how to counter it 

As we age, the skin begins to progressively lose the ability to stay hydrated, nourished, and protected. Cell renewal slows down, and the skin starts to lose firmness, and the first signs of aging may begin to appear.

Maintaining good skin care from the age of 20 or earlier can help delay the onset of many signs and fine lines: in practice, it can be said that the earlier you start, the better.

Keeping the skin hydrated and nourished is the key to helping it maintain its barrier function and keep a healthy appearance, and just because your skin looks healthy at 20-25 years old, it doesn't mean you should skip the essential steps of your skincare routine. 

True skin aging manifests between the ages of 30 and 35 when the skin begins to lose elasticity, hydration, and firmness.

According to a study by Harvard University, aging is caused only 20% by genetic factors. This means that the remaining 80% is mainly due to lifestyle. In this sense, it can be said that we can effectively act to counteract wrinkles.

The first signs of skin aging are the result of deeper changes that initially seem invisible. You may start to notice the effects on the surface level, such as dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles, or loss of radiance and smoothness of the skin.

"Over time, even the skin barrier weakens, making the skin more sensitive to external stresses, such as heat or pollution. The skin begins to become drier, blood circulation slows down and the complexion changes."

As cells lose energy and functionality, essential components also diminish: collagen, the protein that gives strength and solidity to the skin, decreases by 1% per year after the age of 30. 

Elastin is another of the structural proteins of the dermis, capable of ensuring the right level of flexibility and elasticity: the loss of elastin caused by skin aging is very evident in later years.

There are other essential components that diminish over time, such as hyaluronic acid, which serves to keep the skin hydrated and acts as a true scaffold for the skin, as well as fibroblasts, connective tissue cells that produce other molecules, making them indispensable for the production of elastin. 

The main factors of skin aging 

"To counter the first signs of aging, epigenetic science intervenes, studying the changes in environmental conditions that can cause the acceleration of skin aging processes. Epigenetics demonstrates that aging is not only dependent on biology but also on the environment to which we are exposed, even involuntarily."

Diet, lifestyle, environmental exposure, stress, the accumulation of damage caused by these factors creates a negative cellular response and some of them begin to disrupt the work of other cells.

Slowly the body begins to lose its normal functions and spots, dry and sagging areas appear. Energy also decreases drastically with age and one starts to respond more slowly to environmental stresses. 

What are the factors that contribute to the onset of signs and wrinkles? 

• Sun exposure. Many studies reveal that external factors, including exposure to UV rays, are more important than genetics when it comes to skin aging. It is estimated that 80% of visible signs of skin aging, such as most wrinkles, are caused by UV exposure. Despite common misconceptions, there is no such thing as a healthy tan; tanned skin is a sign that the sun's ultraviolet rays have damaged the skin. To prevent skin aging, it is therefore advisable to use a good sunscreen daily, at least SPF30, both in winter and summer. 
• Pollution. Dirty air can exacerbate the skin aging process and cause premature wrinkles and age spots. Keeping the skin's protective barrier strong is an effective defense against pollution. 
• The smoke. Smoke causes wrinkles and other premature signs of aging. Wrinkles are generally deeper and more pronounced in smokers. To improve the appearance of the skin and naturally for overall health, it is better to quit smoking.
• Weight changes. When weight fluctuates a lot, the elastic structure of your skin can become damaged and may not bounce back.
• Not taking care of your skin. Even not removing makeup in the evening or not moisturizing enough with a good moisturizer can lead to visible signs of aging. Doing skincare today is one of the best solutions to slow down the aging process. 
• Do not use anti-aging creams. Aging is an inevitable part of life, so there is no need to be ashamed if at some point you want to incorporate an anti-aging cream into your skincare routine. The right products formulated with targeted active ingredients can really make a difference when combined with a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet.

The active ingredients to look for in anti-aging creams 

When should you start using an anti-aging cream then? Considering that from the end of your 20s onwards, cell turnover slows down and the production of collagen and elastin decreases, the best age is around 30 years old.

In fact, you can start using a targeted anti-aging cream a few years earlier based on your skin type. To understand if you have skin predisposed to premature aging or if it's time to include an anti-aging cream in your routine, you can request a personalized consultation from a cosmetics professional or a specialized pharmacist. 

Before opting for an intensive anti-aging cream, you can choose a first wrinkles cream, especially if your skin is particularly sensitive and reactive, starting from the age of 25.

If you use appropriate protections like SPF along with the specific cream or maintain skin hydration, you could achieve optimal results and delay skin aging. 

An anti-aging cream works through specific active ingredients that regenerate cells, nourish, hydrate, and perform an antioxidant action. The most common active ingredients in anti-aging creams are: 

• Hydroxy acids: including salicylic acid or glycolic acid that act as exfoliants and help remove dead skin cells from the surface, allowing the new skin layer to surface more quickly. They are not found in all anti-aging creams but can also be found in serums or specific exfoliating products to incorporate into your skincare, such as the gentle mandelic acid exfoliant. 
• Antioxidants: which have the function of fighting free radicals, that is, unstable molecules that cause cellular damage from within. The most common antioxidants are Vitamin C or ascorbic acid, which we discussed in this article; niacinamide or vitamin B3 that improves skin elasticity while maintaining moisture. Other antioxidants can include Vitamin E, lycopene, which you can find more about here, coenzyme Q10, and grape polyphenols. 
• Peptides: these are proteins that stimulate collagen production and promote wound healing depending on the case. The most common, Acetyl Hexapeptide 8 known as Argireline directly stimulates cellular fibers. 
• Hyaluronic Acid: omnipresent in anti-aging creams, hyaluronic acid is ideal for maintaining hydration. 

The most suitable age to incorporate an anti-aging cream into your routine is the one you decide based on the intrinsic characteristics of your skin along with the environmental factors to which you are most exposed.

Obviously, starting to use an anti-aging cream before the age of 25-30 is not a problem, but one must also respect the specific needs of their skin, and an overly intensive anti-aging cream could be heavy for young skin. It is therefore better to consult an expert in the field and get a personalized consultation.